Asanda Jezile, a spirited and self-proclaimed “little bit of a diva” from South Africa, stepped onto the Britain’s Got Talent stage in 2013, immediately making her intentions clear. Despite being only 11 years old, she possessed the confidence of a seasoned performer, stating her desire to emulate superstars like Beyoncé and Rihanna, whom she cited as her greatest inspirations. Her mother even confessed that the aspiring star could barely stop singing around the house, demonstrating an undeniable passion for music that the judges were about to witness firsthand.
Choosing the global hit “Diamonds” by Rihanna, Asanda delivered a performance that completely belied her age. She didn’t just sing the song; she commanded the stage with a fierce presence and an array of dynamic dance moves. Her vocals were incredibly strong, hitting every note with an enviable power and control. Asanda’s ability to combine such vocal talent with professional-level stage choreography quickly caught the attention of the panel, with Alesha Dixon remarking that the young singer “got some moves” mid-song, as the crowd erupted in cheers.
The judges were left in a state of astonishment, struggling to reconcile the sheer magnitude of the performance with the girl standing before them. Alesha Dixon was “lost for words,” declaring Asanda “like a little diamond” with an “incredible” voice. Simon Cowell, the show’s most critical judge, was particularly impressed by her stage presence, deeming it the most amazing he had ever seen from an 11-year-old. Calling her audition “seriously, seriously good,” the judges had no hesitation in giving her four massive “yeses,” catapulting the young diva into the next round and turning her into a viral sensation with over 100 million views.
