“When he picked that song, the judges exchanged nervous looks…”
Fifteen-year-old James Smith from Upminster stepped onto the Britain’s Got Talent stage with an easy, down-to-earth charm. He talked casually about celebrating his birthday with cake at his nan’s house, grabbing free soaps from his dad’s market stall, and enjoying a good old-fashioned pie and mash. His simple, relatable personality made him instantly likable — but it also set low expectations.
Then James revealed his song choice: “Feeling Good,” one of the most dangerous and demanding songs in soul history. The judges visibly tensed. It’s a song associated with Nina Simone, Michael Bublé, and only the most confident vocalists.
But from the moment James began singing, the boyish charm faded and something extraordinary emerged.
A deep, smooth, emotionally rich voice filled the theater. His tone was warm, his phrasing sophisticated, his control shockingly mature. He didn’t just perform the song — he brought it to life with charisma far beyond his years.
The audience erupted into applause, rising to their feet long before the final note.
The judges were equally stunned:
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David Walliams called him a “pop star in the making.”
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Alesha Dixon praised his “incredible charisma” and his ability to command the room.
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Simon Cowell, who had been nervous about the song choice, admitted that James gave it “a completely new twist,” calling it one of his favorite auditions of the entire season.
In the end, James earned four massive YES votes, officially launching what many now believe will be a long and promising career in music.
