When 12-year-old Maia Gough took to the stage on Britain’s Got Talent back in 2015, it’s safe to say that the judges appeared a little skeptical. Even more so after she announced she was going to sing Whitney Houston classic, “I Have Nothing”.
After all, how many children do you know that really have fully developed voices already at the age? And Whitney Houston? Those are definitely some big shoes to fill. That is why everyone was so shocked when Gough began her amazing performance.
As soon as she started singing, you could tell it peaked the judges’ interest, and their expressions began to change.
Then, once she got to the chorus and started belting out the lyrics full of energy and enthusiasm, the judges knew, Maia Gough was something special.
Simon Cowell looked over at Amanda Holden with a knowing glance, as if to say, watch out for this one.
Gough ended the performance to a roaring applause from the audience, and all the judges stood up to give her a standing ovation.
The end result of the performance was a unanimous yes from all four judges.
There are very few acts who get this kind of undivided response from the panel, but after watching the video for yourself you will totally understand why. Whitney Houston would be very pleased with the young protégé.
Judge Amanda Holden admitted she wasn’t entirely sure of the young starlet when she first walked on stage, but she quickly changed her mind.
“When you first walked out and told us what you were going to be performing, I thought ‘oh no’,” admitted Holden. “I was worried you were just going to be yet another little girl who just loves Whitney Houston – but you were mind-blowingly fantastic.”
Even Simon Cowell was noticeably impressed, which doesn’t happen very often.
“For all the right reasons, you are the one that I am going to remember from today’s auditions,” said Cowell. “You are someone to watch this year.”
After she finished, Gough happily ran off stage to go hug her mother, who was quick to tell her how proud of her she was. Gough certainly has a very bright future ahead of her in the music industry.
However, Gough’s mom wasn’t the only member of her family there to witness the performance. When in the beginning judge David Williams asked her who was with her today, she rattled off quite the list.
“I got a lot of family with me today. I’ve got my mom, and my dad, and my sister. My auntie, my uncle, my grandma, my grandpa, my cousins,” said Gough.
Williams joked that she had brought all of Wales with her basically, and the audience burst into laughter.
It’s great to see families like them that are so incredibly supportive.
A few weeks later in the semi-finals, Gough sang another Whitney Houston hit, “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength”, and the performance was equally impressive. However, in the end it wasn’t enough to win her the public vote, and that is unfortunately where her run ended.
Despite the fact she didn’t win Britain’s Got Talent that year, we are sure this won’t be the last we hear of Maia Gough. With a voice like that, there really are no limits to how far she can go in her career.
Check out the video to below to watch the full performance of Maia Gough that shocked the world that epic night back in 2015.
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