Britain’s Got Talent’s Malakai Bayoh, 13, shares his shock at receiving Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer
Britain’s Got Talent kicked off a new series this weekend, with chorister Malakai Bayoh scoring Simon Cowell’s coveted Golden Buzzer spot.
And the 13-year-old sensation has now spoken out about the experience, after having to keep it a secret for weeks before the episode aired.
Appearing on Monday morning’s episode of breakfast show Good Morning Britain, Malakai shared his shock at being given an accelerated trajectory to the live shows.
The singer told hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls, “It was a really cool experience to have, especially singing in front of all the judges. I was really surprised because I didn’t know him [Simon] would hit the gold buzzer’.
His appearance on Britain’s Got Talent comes just months after he was embroiled in scandal when a heckler at the Royal Opera House berated him during a performance of Alcina – leading to a lifetime ban for the audience member.
Britain’s Got Talent choirboy Malakai Bayoh, 13, shared his shock when he received Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer on Sunday night’s episode
Joy: He was overwhelmed with joy when Simon pressed the golden buzzer during the show, which accelerated Malakai to the live shows
Excited: He gleefully discussed his successes on the show while appearing on GMB
Malakai continued to talk about how he started singing and explained that it was Mama, who accompanied him in the show, that pushed him to start singing at a young age.
‘My mother forced me to join my local choir when I was 7 years old. And then I went to high school, and with that came opportunities to do operas and concerts and stuff,” Malakai continued.
His mother went on to say that she pushed her son into singing after hearing him sing a rendition of Lukas Graham’s “7 Years” when he was seven years old.
She explained, “His older sister was in the choir and every year they sang to me. When I first heard him sing I said “you’re auditioning for the choir”. He had a friend’s party and I said “You’re not going unless you audition”.
Malakai added that he hopes to become an opera singer in the future after securing Simon’s coveted golden buzzer spot at the Manchester auditions.
Following his performance on the show, viewers took to Twitter during the episode to express their appreciation for it, calling for him to win the show and insisting that he would be perfect to perform for King Charles at the upcoming Royal Variety performance.
One person wrote: ‘I think King Charles and Queen Camilla would love to hear young Malakai sing at Royal Variety this year. Beautiful voice!!!! #Britain’s GotTalent #BGT.’
Another shared, “What a great voice Malakai has for such a young age #BritainsGotTalent.”
Supportive family: Malakai continued to talk about how he started singing and explained that it was mom, who joined him on the show, that pushed him to start singing at a young age
Starting young: During his journey, Malakai recounted, ‘My mother let me join my local choir when I was 7 years old’
Touching: His audition left all the judges with misty eyes, and the audience gave him a standing ovation at the auditions in Manchester
Close by: His mother was the driving force behind his musical roots and accompanied him on TV
Passion: Malakai added that he hopes to become an opera singer in the future after securing Simon’s coveted golden buzzer spot at the Manchester auditions
Another stated, “These generations of Aled Jones. Definitely a star status #bgt’.
Another person tweeted, “Wow, Malakai was outstanding.. an incredible voice! A brilliant performance and earned Simon’s golden buzzer! #Britain’s GotTalent #BGT.’
“Malakai Bayoh, the second #GoldenBuzzer of the series, from @SimonCowell really needs to sing at Our Kings Coronation #BGT2023 #BritainsGotTalent,” another viewer wrote.
Prior to appearing on BGT, he’s had a host of fame, including taking the stage at some of London’s most iconic concert halls, and has previously sung with Welsh singer Aled Jones, 52.
Malakai studied at Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School in West London, known for its long tradition of fine choral singing. top five.
Opening: He has undoubtedly thrilled the audience with his looks
Family support: Malakai posed for a backstage selfie with his mother – who accompanied him to his audition on Britain’s Got Talent – at the Royal Albert Hall last week
Malakai last performed at London’s Royal Albert Hall last Wednesday, making his solo debut in a Classic FM Live concert to a sold-out crowd of 5,000.
The treble gave a virtuoso performance of Mozart’s Alleluia, with the moment available on the radio station’s Global Player this Saturday at 4pm, and in the future on Sky Arts.
In November last year, Malakai made his debut at the Royal Opera House in London, singing the role of Oberto in Handel’s opera Alcina.
A month later in December, he went viral singing O Holy Night and Walking in the Air with Aled, with the pair’s videos gaining over 25 million views.
Rising star: Malakai, 13, wowed Britain’s Got Talent judges with his angelic voice
Making music: The choirboy has taken the stage at some of London’s most iconic concert venues and has previously sung with Welsh singer Aled Jones, 52 (left) (pictured at St Paul’s Church Covent Garden, also known as The Actors’ Church last year)
Born to perform: Malakai rehearsed for his performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall last week
Malakai started out as a chorister at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark in London before attending Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School and singing with their acclaimed Schola Cantorum, touring the world in recent years.
In November, a gullible concertgoer who booed Malakai’s solo performance was banned from London’s Royal Opera House.
Malakai, who was 12 at the time, had yelled “nonsense” at him while singing an aria on the opening night of Handel’s Alcina.
As he left the stage, the audience, shocked by the outburst, erupted into loud applause and cheers.
The ROH said it was “appalled” by the heckler’s behavior and “steps had been taken” to ensure that the public member, whose identity is unknown, “does not return.”
Britain’s Got Talent returns this Saturday on ITV and ITVX at 8pm.
On stage: Malakai last performed at London’s Royal Albert Hall last Wednesday, making his solo debut in a Classic FM Live concert in front of 5,000 people (pictured at the Royal Albert Hall last week)
Success story: Malakai could follow in the footsteps of Aled who rose to fame at the age of 14 in 1985 when his recording of Walking in the Air reached the UK top five
Trouble: In November, a gullible concertgoer who booed Malakai’s solo performance was banned from London’s Royal Opera House (pictured during performance)