Local Talent Hits It Big On 'The Voice' Making Those That Know Him Proud
By Mike Dougherty
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A Philadelphia street performer made waves in Hollywood this week on a TV singing competition.
It only took about four seconds for all four celebrity judges on NBC's "The Voice" to turn around for Anthony Riley.
Riley polished his stage presence in Rittenhouse Square, Reading Terminal Market and other public places in Philadelphia. He tells "The Voice" it's his time to shine:
"I want to share the pain and the joy that I've felt over the past seven years, and that is going to translate into a win because I believe that I want it the most."
Maria Glover used to work with Riley at her family's restaurant Tootsie's in the Reading Terminal. She and her mom organized a watch party with friends and family for Riley's audition.
"My mom just starts immediately crying cause she's just so happy for him," Maria tells KYW Newsradio. "We watched the whole performance. We must have watched it like ten times, just over and over and over, like crazy people."
She says Anthony's versatility will take him far in the competition.