Q & A with Amanda Mammana and Marybeth Byrd

AMANDA MAMMANA
Season 17, America’s Got Talent, NBC

SFA: Tell us about your experience with stuttering as a child.
AMANDA: I was a very outgoing kid who loved answering questions at school, reading out loud, and making new friends. When I began to stutter, I became very shy and insecure. I was still very outgoing, but I would often give one-word answers and smile to make it seem like I was ok. Thankfully I had great friends and teachers who gave me a space to speak. I was so thankful for that, but I was still insecure and embarrassed. The battle was within and that ate me up inside for years. Going into my middle school and high school years were very difficult as new challenges arose like public speaking, interviews, and applying for college. I became more ok with my stutter, but I still shied away from a lot of opportunities.

Do you remember when you first began to stutter? Did you seek treatment? If so, did it help?
I went to speech therapy as an early teenager for about two years. When I got older, I went to a speech pathologist to help eliminate vocal strain when I spoke. While I was given techniques and tactics to release my throat and jaw while speaking, the stutter never went away.

What are the biggest challenges stuttering has presented to you?
I believe my stutter has stayed the same, but my outlook has changed a lot. I am ok with my stutter. I’m ok with taking a few extra seconds to say my name or order food at a restaurant. I’m ok with sounding “different”. Stuttering is a part of me, but it doesn’t define me.

How does stuttering affect you in your pursuit of a signing career?
I’ve always been worried if people would take me seriously as an artist because I stutter. I was worried that people would see me as unintelligent or not ready. I spoke to a great friend of mine and he said this. “If you take yourself seriously, then those around you will.” I had to learn to take myself seriously. I learned that I have the same chance as anyone else to make it into the music business despite my speech. While on occasion I might run into somebody that makes a comment or sees me differently, I know that I am capable.

How did you feel about telling the judges and audience about your own experience with stuttering?
When I stepped onto the stage in Pasadena, California I was so nervous. There was a split second where I wanted to run off the stage and hide but I knew that I was there for a reason. As soon as I opened my mouth, I had a block. As I looked out into the audience, everyone was on their toes waiting for me to speak. When I told everyone that I stuttered, it was like everyone exhaled. I believe that when we are vulnerable to others, we have the ability to create a space for everyone. Because I shared my struggles, people could relate to me. I think that is such a beautiful thing.

The biggest challenge I face with my stuttering is interacting with people day to day. As a person who stutters, I want people to be educated on stuttering but that can come with a lot of challenges. Dealing with people who don’t understand is tough but it’s also beautiful because we have the opportunity to teach the world to be patient.

How is your stuttering today? What do you do to control or manage it, if anything?
My stutter is still present and affects my daily life, but I have accepted it. I know that it will probably never go away and that is ok. I do a lot of things physically to relax my body. First thing in the morning I journal and list things that I am thankful for. That puts me in the right heart posture for the day. I also take time to breathe and be silent to calm my body. Starting the day off right has been such a game changer for me mentally, emotionally, and physically. I think that is something that everyone should do.

What is your greatest accomplishment with regard to stuttering?
I think my greatest accomplishment regarding my stutter was going on America’s Got Talent. I had always wanted to be an advocate for stuttering, but I never believed I could until I found myself with the opportunity to use my speaking and singing voice. I think it’s such a beautiful thing when we can use our gifts and talents to encourage others.

Based upon your experiences, what would you like to tell children who stutter?
I wish I had someone tell me when I was younger that I was not alone in my stuttering. We are not alone! There are so many people that go through things that make them think they are alone but that is a lie not worth believing. Just because we talk a little differently, does not make us any less.

I am grateful to have parents that never treated me any differently. The biggest thing parents can do is assure their kids that they are strong, capable, and not alone. Recently I had the pleasure of attending the National Stuttering Association Annual Conference. One thing that we talked about was a lot of parents initially think that their child is going through a phase but a lot of the times that is not the case. That also might lead to parents contacting pediatricians instead of speech pathologists who will not only address the stutter but address the mental affects it has on children.

MARYBETH BYRD
Season 21, American Idol, ABC

SFA:  Do you remember when you first began to stutter?
MARYBETH:  When I began to talk.

Does it run in your family? Who else stutters?
My grandpa, Jerry Byrd, had a bit of a stutter - but not anything major if I can recall!

Did you seek treatment? Did it help?
My parents put me in Speech Therapy, but nothing seemed to help!

Tell us about your experience with stuttering as a child.
We all realized that when I sang, I didn’t stutter! So they encouraged it and I loved it.

How does stuttering affect you in your pursuit of a singing career?
It’s doesn’t hold me back whatsoever!
Has your stuttering gotten worse or better since you were younger? How?
It’s completely gone now! I really believe that music was a therapy for me. I notice that sometimes when I get overly excited or nervous, I trip up. But it’s 90% gone!

How did you feel about telling the judges and audience about your own experience with stuttering?
I felt excited that American Idol gave me an outlet to tell my story.

Have your fans reached out to you since you made that admission during the show?
Yes, they have! So much positivity, it’s been very heart warming!

What are the biggest challenges stuttering has presented to you?
It’s definitely been a challenge, but also a gift! God doesn’t make mistakes. As people, if we never had anything to overcome, we wouldn’t be able to grow.

Based upon your experiences, what would you like to tell children who stutter?
I would tell them to find something that they’re passionate about, and pursue it wholeheartedly! Don’t let stuttering hinder you!

Based upon your experiences, what would you tell parents of children who stutter?
Please encourage your kids to be creative in how they overcome stuttering! You’re doing great!

From the Fall 2023 Magazine