When 11-year-old Asanda Jezile stepped onto the Britain’s Got Talent stage in 2013, she looked tiny under the lights but completely sure of herself. The judges asked what she’d be singing, and her answer made the whole room perk up: “Diamonds” by Rihanna — a huge pop anthem and a seriously bold choice for someone her age.
From the first line, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a cute kids’ performance. Asanda’s voice was confident, powerful and polished, with the kind of tone and timing you’d expect from a grown pop star. She moved around the stage like she owned it, hitting every note and adding her own flavour to the song. The crowd started cheering almost immediately, and by the chorus the theatre sounded like a full-on concert.
The judges were stunned. They praised her incredible stage presence and control, with Alesha Dixon calling her a “little diva” in the best possible way, and Simon Cowell clearly amazed by how natural she looked in front of thousands. That audition didn’t just get her four easy “yes” votes — it launched Asanda all the way to the BGT Series 7 final and made “the 11-year-old who sang Rihanna” a moment fans still rewatch today.
