Michaela Baranov

  She says her father was her biggest supporter. "He loved hearing me sing. He always said I'm going to make it." Despite chronic ear problems and trouble hearing, the 24- year-old was born with a determination to succeed. After winning the ACMF National Songwriting Competition in 2007, she travelled overseas in her early 20s to further her career. A six-week trip turned into three years. She performed shows in America, France, Greece and Dubai, where she secured a three-month contract at the Waldorf Astoria doing three 40-minute sets, six nights a week. The Madonna, Taylor Swift and Christina Aguilera fan hopes to emulate the career of her idols. "I want to be performing in stadiums and sell out arenas around the world. My goals keep getting bigger and bigger. They seem reachable now because of this show."