Alice Fredenham decided to audition for Britain’s Got Talent without telling a soul—not her family, not her friends. That way, if the judges turned her down, she wouldn’t have to face anyone’s disappointment.
When Alice stepped onto the stage, the judges asked how she felt, and she admitted, “Scared.” Her voice trembled as she revealed that stage fright has been a lifelong struggle. She feared that a rejection would feel like proof she wasn’t good enough.
As the music began, the auditorium fell into a deep, expectant silence. Alice chose to sing the jazz classic “My Funny Valentine,” famously performed by Chet Baker. She opened with a shaky rendition: “My funny valentine, Sweet comic valentine…” Simon Cowell kept his gaze lowered, perhaps not wanting to intensify her nerves.
But when Alice reached the line, “You make me smile with my heart,” her voice swelled with confidence. Simon looked up and cracked a smile. Throughout the song, Alice’s expressive movements—evocative of Nina Simone—enraptured both the judges and the audience. Her sultry interpretation earned her not only a standing ovation from everyone in the room but also a “yes” to the next round from all four judges.
