Confidence can make a memorable first impression, but Sarah Ikumu had something else to back hers up: a remarkably powerful voice.
When the young singer stepped onto the Britain’s Got Talent stage in 2017, she chose one of the most demanding songs in the audition repertoire — “And I Am Telling You” from Dreamgirls. Her performance quickly turned confidence into one of the season’s most memorable auditions.
Most importantly, Simon Cowell was impressed enough to press his Golden Buzzer, sending Sarah directly through to the live stages. ITV identifies Sarah as 15 years old at the time of the audition.
Sarah Ikumu Takes on a Huge Song
Sarah chose “And I Am Telling You,” a song famously associated with Jennifer Holliday and Jennifer Hudson.
It is not an easy song for a singer to attempt. The performance demands power, control and the ability to handle dramatic vocal changes.
Sarah walked onto the Britain’s Got Talent stage ready to take on that challenge.
Contemporary coverage noted the initial reaction from the judges, with Simon Cowell questioning her decision to attempt such a major song. But once Sarah began singing, the atmosphere changed quickly.
The young singer delivered a performance that demonstrated why she had the confidence to make such an ambitious song choice.
From Confidence to a Powerful Performance
The supplied video title emphasizes Sarah’s bold confidence before the performance, including the memorable claim that she was the “best singer in the world.”
Whether viewers interpreted that confidence as playful, ambitious or simply fearless, the real test came when she began singing.
Sarah chose a song that left little room to hide. Without a strong vocal performance, the ambitious introduction would have been quickly forgotten.
Instead, her performance became the focus.
Contemporary reports described the reaction as extraordinary, with both the judges and audience giving her a standing ovation.
Simon Cowell Reaches for the Golden Buzzer
The biggest moment came when Simon Cowell decided to use his Golden Buzzer.
ITV’s official Britain’s Got Talent coverage confirms that Sarah was Simon’s Golden Buzzer act and that she was 15 when she performed “And I Am Telling You.”
Cowell later explained that he had heard the song many times but felt Sarah transformed the performance with her own vocal ability. Contemporary reporting quoted him describing the performance as incredible.
The Golden Buzzer meant Sarah bypassed the usual progression and advanced directly toward the live stages of the competition.
For a young singer facing one of the show’s biggest audition stages, it was a major moment.
Why “And I Am Telling You” Was Such a Challenge
Sarah’s song choice was an important part of what made the audition stand out.
“And I Am Telling You” originated in the musical Dreamgirls and became particularly well known through powerful performances by singers including Jennifer Holliday and Jennifer Hudson.
That history made the song a difficult benchmark.
Rather than choosing a simpler song that would minimize risk, Sarah attempted a piece that immediately put her vocal ability under the spotlight.
That decision created the central question of the audition: could a teenage singer actually deliver a song with such demanding vocals?
Sarah’s performance provided her answer.
Sarah’s BGT Journey Continued
The Golden Buzzer was not the end of Sarah Ikumu’s Britain’s Got Talent story.
She later returned for the live stages, where she performed Prince’s “Purple Rain.” ITV’s coverage continued to highlight her vocal ability, while season records show that she ultimately reached the final after returning as a Judges’ Wildcard.
In the final, Sarah performed Andra Day’s “Rise Up.”
Her journey therefore extended well beyond the original audition. The Golden Buzzer moment became the beginning of a longer run through the competition.
A Memorable Golden Buzzer Audition
Sarah Ikumu’s audition remains memorable because several elements came together at once.
There was the confidence with which she approached the stage. There was the enormous challenge of performing “And I Am Telling You.” And then there was Simon Cowell’s decision to press the Golden Buzzer.
The audition demonstrated how quickly expectations can change during a talent competition.
Before the first note, viewers could only judge Sarah by her confidence and song choice.
After the performance, the judges had heard what she could actually do.
Final Thoughts
Sarah Ikumu’s Britain’s Got Talent audition was a bold moment from the 2017 series.
At 15, she took on “And I Am Telling You,” a demanding song made famous through performances connected with Dreamgirls. Her powerful delivery earned a standing ovation and, most significantly, Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer.
The supplied YouTube video captures the performance that introduced Sarah to a huge television audience.
Her story also continued beyond the audition, eventually taking her through the live stages and into the final.
It is the combination of confidence, a difficult song choice and a powerful vocal performance that makes Sarah Ikumu’s audition such a memorable Britain’s Got Talent moment.
