When Alice Fredenham decided to try out for βBritainβs Got Talent,β she didnβt tell anyone, none of her family or friends. That way, if she was rejected by the judges, she wouldnβt have to tell anyone.
When Alice stepped onto the stage, the judges asked her how she was feeling, and she answered, βScared.β Alice was visibly nervous and told interviewers that sheβs dealt with stage fright all her life before taking the stage.
A lot of Aliceβs nerves were due to being afraid of the judgesβthat their rejection of her is a sign that sheβs not good enough. Her music began to play, and the audience held their breath.
The contestant chose to sing βMy Funny Valentine,β a jazz standard that was once Chet Bakerβs signature song. During the introductory notes, the stadium was awkwardly silent.
Then Alice sang the first line, βMy funny valentine, Sweet comic valentineβ¦β Her voice was a bit shaky. Notably, Simon Cowellβs head was down. Perhaps he didnβt want to make Alice more nervous by staring at her.
However, when Alice got to the line, βYou make me smile with my heart,β her volume increased, and she hit notes listeners were not expecting. Simon put his head up and began to smile.
Alice moved her arms throughout the song, reminiscent of Nina Simoneβs performances. Simon and the other judges were in awe of her. Aliceβs sultry rendition of βMy Funny Valentineβ won her a pass to the next round and a standing ovation from the audience and all four judges.
