If you are a fan of talent shows, chances are you’ll recognize this guy. He was part of American Idol and made it to the Hollywood round but left the show after the group performance.
But 28-year-old Marcio isn’t a guy who quits easily, and this year, he came back even more determined than before to show the world his talent.
However, it wasn’t just his singing that stole the hearts of many Americans. His life story touched many as well.
“Growing up in the inner city, it was hard,” he said. “It was tough, and a lot of people succumb to the circumstances. So I wanted to be a light for those who don’t believe in dreams or don’t see them being possible or obtainable, you know what I’m saying?”
When they were very little, both Marcio and his sister ended up in foster care. They didn’t have it easy, but that never discouraged him to change his life for the better. So, he found comfort in the music and decided to compete in the show.
However, soon after that happened, he learned his sister was expecting a baby.
“You know how they say the cycle repeats. It started off with my mother in the system. Then me in the system. And then my sister had a child.”
His sister struggled with drug addiction and wasn’t allowed to keep her son. Sadly, that meant the little one would end up in foster care just like his mom and uncle once did.
But as the baby turned a week old, police and social workers paid Marcio a visit.
“The police and the social worker came to my home, they brought him and here was this week-old baby,” he said. “They said, ‘You have 10 minutes to decide if you will keep this child or he goes in the system.’”
Marcio knew that raising a baby would be a hard job, but he didn’t want his nephew to share his fate so he decided to take him in.
“I had no idea what I was doing. But he’s actually a real gift. I know it was the right decision. And he’s changed my life.”
Singing on the show is now something this incredible man does both for him and the little boy in his life.
“I want to show him what a man can really do when you step up to the plate. I want to give him a better life.”
The audition warmed our hearts and we can’t wait to hear what Marcio has to offer in the future.