When Asanda Jezile, a passionate and self-described “little bit of a diva” from South Africa, took the stage at Britain’s Got Talent in 2013, she made her intentions very apparent. Even though she was only eleven, she exuded the assurance of an experienced performer, declaring that she wanted to be like Beyoncé and Rihanna, who she said were her biggest inspirations. The judges were going to see firsthand the aspiring star’s unquestionable love for music, as her mother even admitted that she could hardly stop singing around the home.
Asanda chose Rihanna’s worldwide hit song “Diamonds” and gave a performance that totally belied her age. In addition to singing the song, she commanded the stage with a variety of powerful dance movements and a furious demeanor. Her voice was so powerful that she could strike every note with unparalleled control and strength. The panel was immediately impressed by Asanda’s ability to blend such vocal prowess with expert stage choreography; Alesha Dixon remarked that the young singer “got some moves” mid-song as the audience erupted in applause.
Astonished, the judges found it difficult to connect the girl in front of them with the performance’s tremendous enormity. With a voice that was “incredible,” Alesha Dixon was “lost for words” and described Asanda as “like a little diamond.” Her stage presence particularly pleased Simon Cowell, the show’s most critical judge, who called it the most incredible he had ever seen from an 11-year-old. The judges gave her four resounding “yeses” without hesitation after describing her audition as “seriously, seriously good.” This sent the young diva straight to the next stage and made her a viral phenomenon with over 100 million views.
