You never really know what is going on in a person’s life and although they may tell you some of what happens, it is unlikely you will ever know the true story. For example, most of us carry things with us that can be very heavy because of what we’ve done in life. We might not show it to others but on the inside, we may be feeling the weight of that situation on an ongoing basis. That is the case with a 28-year-old man named Marcio Donaldson.
Marcio has an extreme talent for singing and he was even able to showcase his talent on American Idol last season. He was able to make it past the first round but unfortunately, he wasn’t able to continue until the end of the season. He was finally able to return to the show, but it was as a different person. Over the past year, he was involved in situations that changed his life and he revealed it to the world on that show.
As far as challenges are concerned, Marcio has dealt with his fair share. He lived with harsh situations and in an area where crime is relatively common. Even shootings occur on a regular basis in that area.
He lived with his mother and sister in an apartment that was cockroach infested. The mother tried to make sure that he and his sister had a normal life but it was a daily struggle. Sadly, the inevitable change eventually took place and Marcio was split up from his sister in foster care.
Marcio did his best to deal with his difficult upbringing. He hoped that his voice would someday take him away from the violence and crime that was so prevalent in that area.
As the years passed, Marcio grew into a young man and eventually applied for American Idol. Although he made it to the ‘Hollywood Round’, he was sent home after performing during the group performance. It wasn’t long afterward that he found out his sister was pregnant.
When the baby was born, things didn’t go well. His sister was battling drug problems and Marcio knew that it was time for him to do the right thing.
“They came to me, they told me I only had 10 minutes to decide or he goes into the system,” said Donaldson.
He looked down at the baby and made his choice.
“So I said, ‘No thank you, I’ll take him.’ I took that responsibility on because I didn’t want him growing up the same way I grew up. I want to do this for him.”
Although Marcio is only 28 years old, he is now a single father and it was a defining moment in this life.
“I had no idea what I was doing, but actually he’s a real gift. And it was the right decision, I know. He’s changed my life.”
It was just last week that Marcio was able to return to American Idol to give it a try once again. He wasn’t only singing for himself this time, he now has a six-month-old nephew that is essentially his son.
“I want to give him a better life,” Marcio said.
People had a difficult time holding back the tears when he started singing. It was open, raw and honest.
Six months after enduring such an emotional roller coaster, Marcio got news that would once again change his life. He was given the golden ticket to the competition and he broke down on the stage.
Marcio was going home, only to come back for the final round. He was full of hope for the future.
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