A New York City subway performer has taken the internet by storm with her extraordinary covers of everything from Moana, , and even Wicked. Needless to say, she could rival Cynthia Erivo with her unbelievable high notes.

Raquel Reigns, 37, has spent five years traveling to the subway underneath the 7 train in Sunnyside, Queens, where she puts on an unforgettable show. Once she starts singing, people can’t help but listen, as she serenades them with her impromptu performances.

Singing live always feels special, as Reigns told Regalrumination.com that it allows her to “connect with people in a raw and spontaneous way.” It may look like an ordinary subway to most people, but for Reigns, it’s her very own stage. She doesn’t need lights or a conductor, because she puts on a show in a unique way.

“That space will always hold a special place in my heart,” Reigns said. “I often get smiles and applause. Every now and then, someone will start yelling just to hear their own echo, which always makes me laugh. I also get a lot of thumbs up and honks from cars—sometimes I feel like I’m putting on a mini concert for the traffic.”

Turning the Subway Into the Emerald City

Over the years, she’s performed songs from films, including Moana, or covered songs by Miley Cyrus, Celine Dion, and . Indeed, she recently transported her audience to the land of Oz with her beautiful rendition of “Defying Gravity” from Wicked.

“Taking on ‘Defying Gravity’ was both thrilling and a bit intimidating,” Reigns said. “There’s something so powerful about the song. It’s not just the vocal challenge, especially with those high notes, but the emotional weight too.

“I was excited to embrace it, but also nervous about fully letting myself go and trusting that I could hit those notes with the balance of strength and vulnerability. It’s a song that demands everything from a performer, and I wanted to give it the respect it deserves.”

It’s one of the most memorable musical numbers, having captivated audiences since Wicked made its Broadway debut in 2003. The song has been performed by the likes of Idina Menzel on stage, Cynthia Erivo in , and even Lea Michele gave it a shot when she sang it in the TV show, Glee, in 2010. And now, Reigns has added her name to that list too.

She of her performance on social media (@ _raquelreigns on and @raquelreigns on ) and it was certainly *popular*. The viral Instagram post has amassed over 471,000 views and 56,700 likes, while has more than 190,300 views at the time of writing.

Reigns told Regalrumination.com: “I receive so many beautiful, encouraging comments that keep me going. It’s incredible to see people from all over the world connect with my videos and share how my music brings them joy. I see social media as a powerful way to showcase my passion, and I hope it opens doors so I can use my voice in a positive way, whether that’s through performances or projects that connect with people.”

Her favorite song to perform has been “I Am Moana” from the Disney animation, Moana.

While the dingy underside of the E1 subway might not seem like the ideal spot , Reigns has always viewed it as a “natural acoustic playground.” She loves the reverb and the freedom she has to truly challenge herself.

Perhaps what makes it even more thrilling is that she doesn’t strive for perfection. Of course she wants to hit every note, but what matters most to Reigns is the enjoyment she feels.

The Social Media Reaction

As her social media following has grown, she now even receives requests. She will certainly do her best to make as many of them happen, but she’s excited more of her own music in 2025 too.

“It’s amazing to see how people connect with my performances and send in song suggestions from all corners of the globe,” Reigns said. “I love the idea that music brings us together, no matter where we are.”

She added: “Singing covers has been an amazing way to connect with people, but I’m looking forward to exploring my own sound and seeing where that journey takes me as.”

The video of Reigns singing “Defying Gravity” has gained more than 670 comments on Instagram, as many people hailed her natural talent.

One Instagram user wrote: “You’re truly incredible.”

Another person responded: “This is magnificent. You have great command of that beautiful voice! Isn’t it fun finding public spaces with incredible acoustics!”

While another comment reads: “No crumbs left on this planet. She ate them all.”

Do you have any viral videos or pictures that you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@newsweek.com and they could appear on our site.