Judge Amanda Holden planned a covert effort to get 11-year-old Olivia Lynes on the Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) stage. Olivia thought she was only going to see the musical Matilda, but Amanda surprised her by inviting her to try out and telling her that her mother and grandmother had privately written about her wonderful singing voice. Olivia’s ambition of performing on a West End stage was suddenly within reach, despite her initial nervousness, which Amanda helped her overcome with a ridiculous dance. This led to one of the season’s most endearing surprises.
Olivia decided to perform “Defying Gravity,” a song known for its tremendous vocal power and emotional range, from the musical Wicked at her audition. Her initial hesitation disappeared as soon as she opened her mouth, to be replaced by a stage presence and vocal maturity that completely defied her age. Her performance was professional, profoundly felt, and well-deserved of the standing ovation it garnered since she hit every high note with amazing passion and control. She moved the judges and audience with her performance, embodying the character’s emotional journey beyond simply singing the song.
Her voice was so powerful and beautiful that it left the judges dumbfounded. Olivia’s ability “just flows and pours out of you,” according to Bruno Tonioli, who is known for his dramatic emotions. He also referred to Olivia as a “singing miracle.” The combination of the faultless performance and the unexpected setup touched Amanda Holden so much that she grabbed for the Golden Buzzer, the top reward. Amanda praised the young girl, stating she “truly deserved that moment,” as gold confetti rained down. This gave Olivia an instant, magical trip to the live semi-finals.
