Britain’s Got Talent star looks sensational 10 years after causing Rihanna controversy aged 11-Josie Copson-Entertainment – Metro

Asanda Jezile was a Britain’s Got Talent finalist (Picture: Rex)

Asanda Jezile is all grown up ten years after her Britain’s Got Talent 2013 audition.

At 11-years-old she walked out on stage for the ITV show with bags of confidence and proudly told judges David Walliams, Alesha Dixon, Simon Cowell, and Amanda Holden that her inspiration was Beyoncé.

After singing the first line of Diamonds by Rihanna, she then shocked the audience by launching into some impressive dance moves.

‘Oh she’s got some moves,’ remarked Ant McPartlin, who was standing with co-host Declan Donnelly and Asanda’s parents.

The crowd then erupted into cheers as she hit the high notes, and the panel heaped praise on the youngster.

‘When you’re on the money, your voice is incredible,’ Alesha told her. ‘You were like a little diamond, I’m lost for words.’

‘We’ve had a lot of people your age over the years performing and I’ve never seen anyone who’s got such amazing stage presence. It was seriously, seriously good,’ complimented the famously hard-to-please Simon. ‘You have the best smile I have ever seen,’ he added.

She sailed through to the next round with four yeses and performed If I Were a Boy by Beyoncé at the final finishing in seventh place. The seventh series was won by the dance troupe Attraction.

Now, a decade later, Asanda is still doing what she loves – singing – with her bio listing her achievements so far.

Asanda made it to the final (Picture: Ken McKay/Thames/REX/Shutterstock)

‘@bgt 2013 finalist S7, @eurovision 2018 semi finalist, @bgt 2020 Christmas special,’ it reads.

Asanda entered Eurovision: You Decide, where the UK representative was selected by a public vote and the votes of an eight-member professional jury. It was SuRie who headed to Lisbon for the country, where Netta Barzilai won for Israel.

Asanda, now 22, has over 30,000 followers on Instagram, where she posts updates about her music – her single The Wait Is Over is out now – and glamorous shots including a birthday to Miami.

Asanda celebrated her 22nd birthday in September (Picture: Instagram/asandajezile)

She also used the social media platform to reflect on her journey so far and make a joke about her hairstyle choice at her famous audition.

‘I feel like I owe an explanation especially to the individuals who have shown mad love & support from the day I sang on that stage with that crusty looking fringe,’ she began.

‘It’s been a long way since 2013. Ten years, time really does fly!

‘It really hasn’t been easy, especially putting a project out after ten years, The woman I’m becoming, is already a journey itself & I’m excited for the next chapter it brings .’

Despite, her success in Britain’s Got Talent some viewers criticised her song choice and performance.

Asanda reflected on her journey so far (Picture: Instagram/asandajezile)

‘This was clear proof Rihanna is no role model! Those dance moves did not belong on an 11-year-old!!’ wrote one viewer. Another added: ‘Time for some parents to get real and censor what their children are watching…’

A third viewer wrote: ‘This just shows the effect that provocative music videos and raunchy photoshoots etc re having on young children.’

Asanda was defended by her dad (Picture: Ken McKay/Thames/REX/Shutterstock)

A spokesperson for Britain’s Got Talent said at the time: ‘Any singers auditioning for Britain’s Got Talent choose what song they want to perform themselves.

‘With children, the decision is made between the individual and their parents.’

Asanda’s father Lennox insisted that his daughter is ‘mature for her age’, adding: ‘I know she is young but, believe me, she’s ready.

‘We know there will always be negative as well as positive comments. We don’t want her to get hurt so we’ve prepared her. We will always give her our support.’

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