Aoa native Paul Ieti was supposed to perform for the first time at Radio City Music Hall in the Big Apple last night for the August 4th segment of America’s Got Talent.

However, Paul’s mother Akenese informed Samoa News yesterday that Paul contacted her and told her that he just left Savannah, Georgia and has arrived in New York where he will be rehearsing his performance set to air next Monday, August 11.

Paul, an active duty soldier in the US Army, has won the hearts of Samoans all over the world. His Facebook page has netted over 16,000 followers and counting since his nationally televised audition for America’s Got Talent.

His bashful demeanor and his longing to be reunited with his parents has created a domino effect that continues to increase his fan base and put American Samoa on a grand stage.

Every time before he performs, Paul always makes sure he mentions his homeland in the South Pacific— something that triggers pride in every Samoan, both young and old.

On national television last month, Ieti was in tears when he spoke about his parents, Maua and Akenese. He said he hasn’t seen them since he left in August 2012 and he wanted nothing more than to see his mom smile at him.

Paul, 21, is the third of seven children born to the Aoa couple whose oldest son is also an active duty US Army soldier currently stationed in Korea.

All his life, his proud mother Akenese said, Paul has always been a singer. She said he entered the Amerika Samoa’s Brightest Star singing competition, which he won, as well as a singing competition for the Catholic Diocese of Samoa Pago Pago during which he represented the Eastern Zone and also won first prize overall.

Akenese said it is hard for her son to be away from them but she keeps in contact with him, communicating via telephone calls 3-4 days a week.

When asked how she felt when she saw her son crying on national television last week, an emotional Akenese said she thanks God that Paul is able to remain focused in his goal to pursue his dream of singing, and she is content that his talent will take him as far as he wants to go.

Paul’s dad Maua works for CBT True Value and his mother is a volunteer at Faga’itua High School. Paul was on TV last month saying he wanted to visit his parents but the airfare is just “too expensive.”

Yesterday, Akenese revealed that she was contacted by a representative of Samoa Motors, saying that officials from GHC Reid and Co. Ltd., namely company president Olivia Reid-Gillet, offered to pay for her to fly off island to surprise her son Paul at Radio City.

Akenese said she was touched and humbled by the offer but she respectfully declined it, saying she will cheer for her son from afar and wait for Paul to visit the territory once everything is settled—win or lose.

“Paul said no matter what happens, whether he moves on to the next round or if he gets eliminated next week, he will be coming home to visit,” Akenese said excitedly.

Paul survived a grueling Judgment Week last month and has made it to the live show, during which a group of acts compete for votes from viewers and judges. All the following rounds will eventually culminate in a live final, which have consisted of anywhere from four to ten acts throughout the previous seasons of AGT.

The act with the most votes is declared the winner, given $1 million, and, since season three, a chance to headline a show on the Las Vegas Strip.

Paul said last month that he is thankful for American Samoa’s support and the support of all Samoans worldwide— and no matter what the outcome, “To God be the glory.”