Minnesota teen's YouTube song strikes emotional, viral chord

An Austin teen is getting some big attention online for belting out an original song on YouTube.

Molly Kate Kestner,18, posted a video on April 20 of herself singing "His Daughter." Since then, the song has garnered more 1.3 million views (and climbing fast).

Among those who have noticed: the Huffington Post and social media star George Takei shared the video on his Facebook page.

Reached by phone on Wednesday afternoon, Mary Jane Kestner said her daughter was taking the sudden Internet fame in stride (but was exhausted from the attention and taking a nap). The Austin High School student is in the midst of graduating and also preparing to participate in the Distinguished Young Women of America scholarship program in a couple weeks (in Mobile, Alabama).

She said her daugher hopes to record the song soon and release it on iTunes. Kestner said Molly hopes to one day be a motivational speaker, which is in line with the song's faith-centric vibe. "She's definitely more than just a pretty voice. The song is really showing something about her character," Mary Jane Kestner said. "She has a real interst in helping young girls discover their value."

Have a listen:

(Staff writer Tom Horgen contributed to this blog)