Top 10 Most Iconic Auditions in Talent Competition Shows
Talent Recap Reading Time: 3 minutes
Got Talent, Idol, and X Factor are among the competition series where some of our favorite artists began their careers. Let’s look back at the most iconic auditions to ever happen of these shows.
Top 10 Most Iconic Talent Show Auditions
10. Bars & Melody, Britain’s Got Talent 2014
R&B duo Leondre Devries and Charlie Lenehan took their shot in Britain’s Got Talent back when they were 13 and 15 years old. During their audition, they awed the judges through their anti-bullying song “Hopeful.” Immediately, they secured a spot in the Semi-Finals courtesy of Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer.
9. 4th Impact, X Factor UK 2015
4th Impact (formerly 4th Power) is an all-female band originally from the Philippines. Grabbing an immense opportunity abroad, this group did their best rendition of “Bang Bang” by Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj. 4th Impact practically rose to fame after their audition on X Factor.
8. Grace Vanderwaal, America’s Got Talent 2016
No one could ever forget the 12-year-old ukulele player who sang her original song in front of the AGT crowd. Grace Vanderwaal moved everyone with her performance, most especially Howie Mandel who pressed his Golden Buzzer. Simon Cowell even betted that she could be “the next Taylor Swift.”
7. Carrie Underwood, American Idol 2005
For those who may not know, country superstar Carrie Underwood actually came from American Idol. She performed “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt, impressing judges with her angelic voice. Looking back, perhaps Underwood would’ve never thought that her Idol audition would bring her to fame.
6. Calum Scott, Britain’s Got Talent 2015
Singing “Dancing On My Own” by Robyn, Calum Scott was able to snatch a spot in BGT Semi-Finals through Cowell’s Golden Buzzer. He and his sister Jade did a separate audition in the show, with Jade getting sent off. Nevertheless, Scott’s individual success was considered a milestone for the whole family.
5. Jennifer Hudson, American Idol 2004
EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson introduced herself and her talent in season 3 of American Idol. During her performance, she sang “Share Your Love with Me” by Aretha Franklin, subsequently becoming a fan favorite.
4. One Direction, X Factor UK 2010
Members of One Direction auditioned in X Factor UK individually. Apparently, it was then judge Nicole Scherzinger who played a major part in their formation. The moment they were brought together, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, and Niall Horan were instantly loved by fans.
3. Adam Lambert, American Idol 2009
Auditioning in San Francisco, Adam Lambert sang “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. While Cowell insisted that his acapella version was “too theatrical,” all judges eventually agreed to send him to the next round. Interestingly, Lambert has embarked on tour with Queen following the success of biopic film Bohemian Rhapsody.
2. Kelly Clarkson, American Idol 2002
Pop superstar Kelly Clarkson is perhaps one of the most popular winners of American Idol, being the first one to ever win the show. Her audition consisted of singing “At Last” by Etta James. Cowell once mentioned that it was Clarkson who saved the first season of the show from potentially dropping ratings.
1. Susan Boyle, Britain’s Got Talent 2009
Aged 47 by the time of her audition, Susan Boyle introduced herself on stage as someone who had “never been given the chance before.” Singing “I Dreamed A Dream” from the musical Les Miserables, she instantly shocked judges with her intense vocals. Undeniably, Boyle is one of the most successful acts ever aired in Got Talent history.
Adam Lambert began touring with Queen in 2012, and from 2014 until the success of the biographical film Bohemian Rhapsody in late 2018, they toured with two more world tours. The biopic inspired their current Rhapsody tour, which began with America 2019, Asia and Australia 2020 and was last summer in Europe (+ Queen’s Platinum Jubilee) + continues in North America this autumn.