Have you heard Samantha Henson sing?
Samantha Henson sings at Verdugo’s Restaurant in Downey. Photo by Alex Dominguez
Samantha Henson is Downey’s next break-out singing sensation. Well, at least that’s what she’s manifesting right now.
Known as “the Singing Waitress,” Henson, 25, has wowed diners with her impressive voice at Verdugo’s Meats-Salads-Desserts.
“I’ve always had people tell me, ‘You have a gift, you have to do something with it,’” said Henson. ”’Never let it go, you were meant to sing. You make people feel a type of way. Never give up.’
“They’ve been telling me that since I could remember, and it kind of stuck with me.”
She’s previously competed on “X Factor” and “The Voice,” advancing past open audition rounds.
Even still, she didn’t start with a microphone in hand at Verdugo’s.
According to restaurant owner Ralph Verdugo, Henson had to wear him down for opportunity to sing.
Originally applying as a hostess, Verdugo suggested that Henson be a server instead, based off of her outgoing personality. Henson soon asked her new boss to let her sing, initially to no avail.
“She tells me, ‘You know I can sing?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, yeah, okay.’”
Henson finally got her shot at a staff lunch.
Impressed, Verdugo – not initially planning on having a singer at his new restaurant – bought Henson her own microphones, which he said no one else is allowed to use. He says every time he hears Henson sing “is like the very first time.”
“If I’m passing by, I’ll stop,” said Verdugo.
Born and raised in Downey, Henson says she has been singing since she could talk. Her first indication that she had a talent came after her first performance in the second grade talent show at Rio Hondo Elementary.
As she got older, talent shows made way for school choirs at Griffiths Middle School and Warren High School.
“My freshman year of high school, I made it in all the advance choirs, just not vocal ensemble because [the choir director] did not let freshmen in vocal ensemble.”
As an eighth grader at the age of 13 is when Henson tried out for “X Factor,” making it to the second round. During her senior year, she auditioned for “The Voice,” making it all the way to the round before blind auditions.
Downey may already be known for being the home of the Carpenters, but Verdugo has even loftier expectations for his prized singer, who he called “a star.”
“Her with her voice, and her beautiful soul, and her attitude -- are you kidding me? She is going to be – I’m going to say it – bigger than the Carpenters,” said Verdugo.
He says he “hopes she remembers us” when she leaves.
“Okay, yeah, I would like to be famous. I’d like to have an album out, I’d like to be on billboards or on TV,” said Henson. “Lately my mindset has been I’m going to work towards being famous, or being known. I don’t have to be huge right away, but I want to be known.”