If you spend much time watching television, chances are you have a favorite reality show.
Though they come in all different shapes and sizes, ever since American Idol, the king of the genre seems to be reality singing competition shows.
What many people don’t know is that most (if not all) of the shows we love in the United States are also international franchises with many other versions around the world. As just one example, consider The X Factor, which actually started in Britain.
Though the show was discontinued in the US, it still continues overseas and elsewhere.
For those who don’t know, the show works a little bit differently than more straightforward shows like Idol.
In each performance, a contestant comes out onstage and performs in front of a panel of judges. If the judges and the audience like what they see, that person can get voted forward into the more advanced rounds where they continue to compete with other contestants.
If the judges don’t like what they see, however, they can hit their buzzers to send them home early. As the show has been on for quite some time, plenty of talented people have been discovered through the platform.
The performance we’re talking about today is from the 2013 season of The X Factor UK.
The singer in question was Sam Bailey, a 35-year-old prison officer who had dreams of being a singer.
As the clip begins, Bailey explains that her coworkers make fun of her somewhat for singing at her job all the time. She also comments that she’s afraid she’s too old and not telegenic enough to win the show or to even be a real competitor.
Regardless, she’s excited to get in front of the judges and show them what she can do. A moment later, she stands in front of them in the audition room and explains her background.
Before long, it’s time for her to share her talent with the whole room.
As she starts, the song Bailey has chosen is “Listen” by Beyoncé, which is definitely not an easy one to perform.
From the very beginning, Bailey’s beautiful voice has all the judges at attention. She sings with a vulnerability and delicateness that nobody expected—and it’s made all the more surprising by the fact that her job demands her to be so tough!
A moment later, she switches keys even higher and her voice remains as powerful and crisp as ever. As it keeps going, her voice only climbs higher and higher.
Before long, the judges are exchanging shocked glances with each other.
So far, this performance has earned nearly 39 million views on YouTube.
While Bailey’s many X Factor performances have racked up views online, this one seems particularly incredible. Though it’s never easy to sing Beyoncé, this version of it is a particularly sharp and stunning rendition.
As the judges give their reactions, all anybody can seem to do is say how shocked they are that Bailey is a prison officer. Needless to say, all of them vote her forward in the process! As this clip shows, sometimes amazing talent can be hidden in unexpected places. But no matter where you start, it’s really about where you end.
Congratulations to Sam Bailey on her truly incredible audition! Be sure to watch the whole thing in the link below:
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