Amber Simone Chinn’s rendition of Jhene Aiko’s “The Worst” is very impressive. It’s even more impressive considering how far the 19-year-old has come since being diagnosed with a rare birth defect known as left craniosynostosis. Chinn’s doctors told her parents that without a tracheotomy she would have a low chance of a full recovery or of properly using her airway. However, the procedure also carried the risk for leaving her without the ability to speak or breathe on her own. So they decided against it.

Chinn, who now attends SUNY Buffalo State where she majors in music and psychology, was recently at a graduation birthday when she belted out the R&B song much to the delight of anyone in attendance. The video was shared by a friend’s mother on Facebook and YouTube, where it garnered over two million hits. Now Chinn is working with local music producers and songwriters in Buffalo to help further her career in music.

Craniosynostosis is a birth defect that results in the skull to fusing to the back of the head prematurely. Infants born with craniosynostosis generally require surgery to separate the joints between bones that were infused. Chinn said it was a miracle that she was able to start breathing on her own and speaking after she avoided the tracheotomy. "It's hard to grasp," Chinn told WGRZ. "I have confidence, but I never thought me sitting by the pool, a random video would be so viral."