Bianca Taylor Ryan was born September 1, 1994, in Ocean City, New Jersey, and raised mainly in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Gifted with a strong and soaring soprano voice from a young age, she grew up as the second of five children.

Her parents supported her love of music, and she spent a lot of her childhood practicing in her home, developing both her range and stage presence very early on.

At age 11, Bianca auditioned for Season 1 of America’s Got Talent, choosing to perform “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” from Dreamgirls. Her audition stunned the judges and the audience alike.

She followed that with “Piece of My Heart” in the semifinals, and in the finals she sang “I Am Changing,” another song from Dreamgirls—ultimately winning the first-ever season on August 17, 2006.

Her win came with a prize of US$1 million, a record deal—including with Syco Music/Columbia Records—and immediate fame. Just weeks later, she began recording her debut album, with collaborations involving prominent producers and songwriters.

Her self‑titled album Bianca Ryan was released in November 2006, featuring covers of “The Rose,” “I Believe I Can Fly,” and original songs like “I Wish That” and “Pray for a Better Day.” It debuted on the Billboard 200 chart and sold well globally.

Also shortly after her win, Bianca Ryan released Christmas music, including the EP Christmas Everyday! and the popular single “Why Couldn’t It Be Christmas Everyday?”, which became a seasonal favorite and continues to receive airplay.

As she matured, Bianca faced serious vocal health challenges. Over time one of her vocal cords became paralyzed; in 2016 she underwent surgery to address this issue, along with abdominal surgery, and she had to relearn how to speak and sing.

These setbacks forced pauses in her performance schedule and led to a difficult period of recovery.After recovering, she returned to the America’s Got Talent universe via AGT: The Champions in 2019—about 13 years after her original win.

During that return she performed “Say Something,” earning a standing ovation from judges and many in the audience. Though she didn’t win this time, the performance was widely praised for its emotional weight and vocal maturity.

Beyond singing, Bianca has diversified her creative portfolio. She founded her own record label, Bianca Ryan Records, LLC, released new music independently, and launched the makeup line Ciao Bianca in 2018, with 23 lipstick shades. She has also performed the national anthem for major sports events and appeared on television talk shows throughout her career.

Today, Bianca Ryan is often remembered as both a child prodigy and a fighter. Her early meteoric rise, the obstacles she faced with her vocal health, and her journey back into public performance have blended to show a resilience that resonates with many fans.

While she may not yet be omnipresent in mainstream pop culture, her voice, her story, and her music endure—and her influence remains strong among AGT alumni, young singers, and those inspired by her comeback.