There are a lot of different elements that go into a great performance on a musical competition show.
First and foremost, the person who’s performing needs to have real talent at whatever they’re doing. Still, in a field that is overcrowded with talent, there are other things you need to stand out.
Second is that you need to pick the right song to showcase your voice or your musical talents, for obvious reasons. Last but definitely least is you need to have some stage presence or some kind of angle that differentiates you from the crowd.
As a case in point, consider this performance from Britain’s Got Talent.
The audition we’re talking about happened on the show’s 2012 season.
As the clip begins, a young man walks out on stage and plugs in his guitar as he stands in front of the microphone. After a moment, he introduces himself to the judges as Sam Kelly and says that he’s 19 years old.
As he speaks to the judges, he has a huge smile on his face. “Do you have a girlfriend?” Kelly says that no, he doesn’t, and all the girls in the crowd go wild!
Needless to say, it’s clear that being a teen heartthrob seems to be Kelly’s ace… and he definitely leans into it.
As he tells everyone, he comes from a rural background and was a bit of an oddball among his working class family.
Because of that, making it through on the show would mean the world to him—and he says that if he doesn’t get the yeses he needs, that his mom might come after them! After all is said and done, the judges clear the air so that he can perform.
The song he chooses is “Make You Feel My Love,” a song originally written and performed by Bob Dylan but covered by artists as diverse as Garth Brooks, Adele, Kelly Clarkson and Billy Joel.
With everything in place, Kelly is ready to start his performance.
The song begins with him gently strumming his guitar and delicately singing the lyrics.
Although many of the performers on the show try to impress the crowd by being big and loud, Kelly goes the opposite direction by being smaller and intimate. Still, his voice is soulful and accurate—and all the girls in the audience are definitely leaning forward in their chairs.
Even though he’s performing in a huge arena, Kelly’s approach makes his audition feel so intimate and personal. Everyone in the crowd is completely silent as he performs.
When it’s all over, the room gradually erupts… into a standing ovation.
As the judges say after its over, Kelly’s approach is what made the whole thing work so well!
Although he didn’t try to wow anyone with technical ability and showmanship, his attitude and personality definitely connected with the judges and the crowd. As judge Simon Cowell says at the end, when you have complete silence in a room that big, you know that you’ve nailed it!
After everything, Kelly gets his four yeses… and he leaves with the hearts of everyone in the crowd. Above everything, this showed everyone once again that there are many ways to present yourself and many ways to connect with an audience. It’s all about connecting with an audience—and Kelly definitely did that!
Congratulations to Sam Kelly on his awesome audition! Check out the full performance below:
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