I got a golden buzzer on BGT – I was scouted for the show, viewers slammed it as a fix, but it’s totally normal
STANDING in a state room in Buckingham Palace Sarah Ikumu could barely believe that she – a 23-year-old still living with her parents in Milton Keynes – was chatting to the King of England.
But that’s just one of the incredible moments she’s experienced in the past seven years since Simon Cowell pressed his golden buzzer after she sang on Britain’s Got Talent aged just 15.
Speaking exclusively to Fabulous, Sarah says, “I can’t believe how far I’ve come.
“I stood there in front of the King last October, as part of a reception for the 60th anniversary of Kenyan independence and he was so kind, he talked to me about getting the golden buzzer and I felt I’d come full circle and everything led back to BGT.
“I’ve got so much to be grateful to Simon Cowell for, though meeting him was scarier than meeting the King – his reputation is terrifying, but now I think he’s a sweetheart.”
Sarah appeared on the show after she was scouted by one of the producers at a small showcase for singers.
After The Sun exclusively revealed she had been asked to audition, some viewers branded the show a ‘fix’ but producers claimed it was standard protocol.
At the time, a BGT spokesperson said: “As the only show of its kind in the country, we want to showcase the best talent around and therefore, we travel the length and breadth of the country to find the best talent and make them aware of the show and auditions.
“We do then encourage acts to apply but any such acts will be required to audition on the same basis as any other applicant and normal programme rules apply. All acts are judged on their performance during their audition.”
For Sarah it was an honour to be asked to audition.
She remembers, “At the time I was working with an artist development company and we put on a showcase in London one Saturday.
“The following Monday we got an email from a man saying he worked for a production company and would send some videos of me singing. I was so excited we sent them immediately.
“And he replied asking me to come for auditions at the production company for Britain’s Got Talent. If I’m honest I wasn’t sure about doing it – I’d certainly never have put myself forward,
“I’d have been far too nervous. I was quite naïve and hoped that they’d sign me up without having to go on the show, which seemed very daunting.”
Sarah’s wish didn’t come true, but she was called for the audition process, in January 2017.
She says, “The week before I was a bag of nerves, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I told my best friend, but no one else at school as I panicked I wouldn’t get through and everyone would ask how I’d done and it would be embarrassing.”
On the day both her father, who’s an HGV driver and her mother, a carer for children with learning difficulties, went with her from their home in Milton Keynes to London.
She remembers, “On the morning I woke up with the beginnings of a cold and thought I’d fail the audition, which was so annoying. Once we arrived at the auditions it was a very easy process because I was only 15 there are laws about not having to wait around too long.
“I was in a room with a handful of other people and everyone was really friendly. Ant and Dec were lovely too, my mum was with me right until I went on stage, then they found her a seat to watch from.
“Interestingly when I walked onto that stage all my nerves disappeared, it just felt surreal.
“My biggest fear was that Simon Cowell would tell me I couldn’t sing the song that I planned, And I Am Telling You by the Dreamgirls, though I’d been warned that he might by the producers so I had another couple of songs ready too.
Britain's Got Talent winners
Britain's Got Talent has a gigantic hall of fame when it comes to its winners - from magicians, comedians to dance troops - the show has had it all. Here's a look back at each winner from each series...
2023 – Viggo Venn
2022 – Axel Blake
2021 – Cancelled by ITV due to the Coronavirus pandemic
2020 – Jon Courtenay
2019 – Colin Thackery
2018 – Lost Voice Guy
2017 – Tokio Myers
2016 – Richard Jones
2015 – Jules O’Dwyer & Matisse
2014 – Collabro
2013 – Attraction
2012 – Ashleigh and Pudsey
2011 – Jai McDowell
2010 – Spelbound
2009 – Diversity
2008 – George Sampson
2007 – Paul Potts
“He did comment on it, saying, ‘That’s one of the biggest songs out there – and you think you can do that?’.”
Her performance silenced all his questions but even so Sarah couldn’t believe it when Simon pressed his golden buzzer.
She says, “That was beyond my wildest imaginings and when it happened it was overwhelming. And all of the judges were so complimentary when they came backstage afterwards, I remember Simon saying to me ‘wow, how did you do that’.
“I’d been so frightened of meeting him, because he’s got a fearsome reputation, but he was lovely.
“The hardest thing afterwards was not telling anyone as I wanted it to be a surprise.”
As Sarah had received the golden buzzer and it was a dead cert that she’d go through to the semi finals in April, the production team were in constant contact with her.
They arranged for her to see a vocalist once or twice a week in the six weeks leading up to her next appearance, and a stylist was in touch to discuss what she could wear.
She says, “They want you to feel comfortable so ask what you feel suits you and what colours you like, they made it all really easy and it was so exciting.”
Once her audition aired everyone at school discovered her secret.
I look back on that golden buzzer and remember Simon’s praise and know that singing is all I ever want to do
Sarah Ikumu
She says, “I felt like the school celebrity, which was fun, they all seemed very supportive and proud of me.
“And even when I went into town people stared at me – it’s to be a teenager and get that much attention.”
Come April and the semi finals Sarah felt prepared, she’d been working on two songs regularly with the vocal coach.
She says, “I don’t remember it being stressful, despite being in my GCSE year at school.
“We went for a rehearsal the weekend before and on the day we got there mid-morning and so by the evening when we performed we all felt quite at home.
“You get all the food and drink and breaks that you need. There was no rivalry between the acts, it felt very supportive as we were all in the same boat.”
Sarah sadly wasn’t picked by the public to go through.
She says, “You all stand on the stage hoping your name won’t be called out, as the results are revealed in reverse order.
“And you don’t get warned beforehand whether you’re through or not.
“I had no expectations but of course I was disappointed when I didn’t get through. Happily soon afterwards they told me I’d been chosen as a wild card and would be in the finals.”
Sarah eventually came seventh and says, “I never expected to get that far and appearing on it gave me great exposure and opened so many doors to me.”
Straight afterwards Sarah went back to school to do her GCSEs before going to a performing arts college and since leaving she’s made her living singing at concerts and corporate events.
She’s performed all over the world including Dubai, New York, Barbados and Glastonbury festival and she’s currently working on a new album, mixing ballads with other genres of music including R and B and afrobeat.
Sarah, who’s currently single so she can focus on her music, says, “I’ve only seen Simon Cowell once since, when he booked me for a charity event, but I don’t feel abandoned by him, he did enough giving me the BGT opportunity.
“And my experience on the show means I now make my living as a singer – I feel blessed that I can do that.
“The music industry is a tough one to crack and there have been times I’ve felt like giving up. But I look back on that golden buzzer and remember Simon’s praise and know that singing is all I ever want to do.”
You can follow Sarah on Instagram at @sarahikumu
