Simon had built his reputation over years of relentless scrutiny and high standards as a music talent scout, and he prided himself on never being fooled by hype or youthful exuberance. So when word spread that an 18-year-old named Mia was planning to perform an unconventional song at a local open mic night, he was immediately skeptical. Rumors had circulated that her choice of song defied genre norms and challenged the very essence of what audiences expected from emerging talent. Simon scoffed quietly, convinced that another young hopeful would fall flat on stage.
