?American country singer Mickey Guyton won first place on the eighth episode of The Singer 2025 with her rendition of You and I, winning over the audience with her unique country style and emotional singing.

She said she was thrilled and honored to participate in the show and was deeply moved by the audience's love and support. However, she also admitted that each performance was stressful, especially when it came to singing in genres outside of country music. To cope with the pressure, she sometimes goes to the gym and relaxes in a steam room in the morning to stay calm and get through each week.

When asked how she maintains her musical identity while competing against singers of various styles, Guyton credited the support she has received from the audience. "The people here in China have just been absolutely beautiful and lovely, and that's how I keep my sense of self."

Eager to embrace new challenges, Guyton is keen to perform a song in Chinese, despite acknowledging it as a considerable challenge. She admires Chinese music for its delicacy and intentionality and looks forward to incorporating Chinese elements into her future work. Moving forward, Guyton hopes to hold concerts in China and collaborate with Chinese musicians.

Guyton also shared her fascination with Chinese culture. She was deeply impressed by the Chinese people's consideration for others and their emphasis on family, children, and the elderly. She believes these aspects reflect the beauty of Chinese culture.

Guyton views music as a powerful bridge that transcends genres and unites people. She believes that it's singers' duty to step out of their comfort zones, respect and learn from different cultures, and promote mutual understanding.

Guyton's positive attitude and willingness to embrace new experiences have made her a beloved figure among Chinese audiences.

Yang Che contributed to this story.

Video by Zhu Youfang and Peng Yunfang for chinadaily.com.cn