Shaun Smith had the modest, slightly clumsy manner of a timid youngster when he walked onto the Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) stage. In response to a question about his goals, he courteously said that he wanted to sell records and “make other people happy,” emphasizing that it had nothing to do with money, though he playfully acknowledged that he could use a new automobile. The judges were in for a classic dramatic revelation as his body language, which included keeping his hands securely in his pockets, implied a lack of confidence that contrasted sharply with the vocal brilliance he was about to unleash.
Shaun decided to play the timeless and incredibly moving Bill Withers hit, “Ain’t No Sunshine.” The theater fell silent as soon as he started, taken aback by the maturity and power of his voice. His remarkable control and rich, soulful tone belied his youthful appearance. He demonstrated vocal ability far beyond that of a typical teenage singer during the famous “I know” line, where he not only sang the notes but also infused them with a deep feeling of yearning and authenticity, demonstrating the amount of emotion he portrayed.
Though Simon Cowell first used the performance to attack Shaun’s lack of confidence, ordering him to “take your hand out your pocket, believe in yourself!” the judges were obviously impressed. He didn’t make the song sound like karaoke, though, and Simon commended his “very, very authentic sounding voice.” According to Piers Morgan, he was “really very, very good.” Shaun’s unquestionable talent and powerful, soulful delivery garnered him a unanimous set of “yeses,” despite the initial criticism of his timidity. This gave the bashful youth newfound confidence and allowed him to advance to the next round.
