At first, Aaron Frith, an aspiring musician from Maidstone, Kent, appeared to be an odd contender for musical fame. He acknowledged that, despite having “nothing about plants,” he works in a garden center. But Aaron’s real passion is far from compost and soil; he has a lifetime love for the sultry, refined melodies of Michael Bublé and Frank Sinatra, which his father introduced him to, and he hopes to perform all over the world. He took a chance and chose to showcase his traditional musical aspirations on the stage of Britain’s Got Talent, promising the judges a performance that would be everything but typical.
Aaron picked a somewhat unexpected song for his audition: Britney Spears’ worldwide pop hit, “Toxic.” He boldly reworked the well-known song, turning it into a sweet, velvety swing tune. His deep, rich voice, which judge David Walliams subsequently likened to a “smooth red wine,” moved through the song with ease, substituting big-band jazz appeal for the pop’s initial fervor. His vocal power and dedication to the swing genre were evident in this audacious artistic decision, which captivated the audience right away and gave a modern classic a refreshing, elegant twist.
The judges praised Aaron’s talent right away, pointing out his “super voice” and “very winning personality.” In order to succeed, Aaron needed to have the “style and charisma” of the Rat Pack era, according to Simon Cowell, who recognized the tremendous difficulty of establishing a career in the style that is controlled by a select few performers like Michael Bublé. The panel acknowledged his extraordinary potential and distinct likeability factor in spite of the helpful criticism. The garden center employee with the golden voice advanced to the next round when his audacious and profitable risk paid off with four thunderous “yeses.”
