Whenever young children and tweens have auditions on television talent shows, you can’t help but wonder how far they’re going to go.
While most young singers we see are blessed with natural talent, most haven’t had the years of training and experience it takes to truly take their career to the next level.
As Olivia Archbold took the stage during the fourth season of Britain’s Got Talent, the judges were wondering if she had what it takes.
Later dubbed the ‘Next Charlotte Church’, Olivia was clad in jeans and a simple t-shirt as she got ready to blow the audience away.
When she tells the judges she will be singing ‘Angel’, their eyebrows raise.
“This is a hard song to sing,” Simon tells the other judges as the opening music begins. But despite sensing their hesitation, Olivia blows everyone away.
The teen takes a deep breath before the music fills the room. Within only a few seconds, the judges are already impressed.
Although Olivia was nervous backstage, she managed to gulp it all down before her big moment. Now, she is the essence of professionality, her spellbinding voice causing everyone to listen in awe.
The song, written by Sarah McLachlan and often referred to as ‘In the Arms of an Angel’, was inspired by the heroin overdose death of Jonathan Melvoin, a touring keyboard player with the Smashing Pumpkins.
It was one of the first songs written for McLachlan’s 1997 Surfacing album, and she said writing it was a “joyous occasion.”
“Fly away from here/ From this dark, cold hotel room/ And the endlessness that you fear/ You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie/ You’re in the arms of an angel/ May you find some comfort here.”
The lyrics are powerful. The song’s often been played to encourage healing after tragic events, such as the death of Princess Diana, the Columbine Massacre and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. After being used in an ad campaign, the song was also credited with helping to raise more than 2 million dollars for the ASPCA
As Olivia sings, the judges are blown away. At one point, you even hear a “Wow” escape Simon’s lips.
When Olivia finishes, the entire crowd rises to their feet. “That was utterly spellbinding,” judge Amanda Holden tells her. “You’ve got such a lovely quality to your voice. It was a very professional and confident performance.”
“What I really like about you is that I don’t think you really know how good you are,” Piers Morgan adds. “You came on and you were very shy and very humble, and then you just sang utterly beautifully.”
Since being uploaded, Olivia’s audition has been viewed 21 million times.
“Olivia has an absolutely beautiful singing voice and as she rolls into the second verse, the gentle lilt was stunning and addictive.”
“This is beautiful. You have a really good voice. Wish you all the best with your singing.”
“Better than Sarah McLachlan version.”
Despite her incredible voice, Olivia didn’t make it the finals, ultimately being voted out in favor of dancer Tobias Meade and Spelbound, a UK gymnastics troupe.
Watch the incredible audition below!
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