Contestants on “Britain’s Got Talent” (as well as “American Idol” and “America’s Got Talent”) have long feared Simon Cowell’s judgment, so imagine auditioning with a song choice that automatically brings out his sour side.
That’s what contestant Sydnie Christmas did when she chose to sing “Tomorrow” from the musical “Annie,” which is Simon Cowell’s least favorite song. But much to everyone’s surprise, she totally blew him away with her beautiful soulful rendition, causing him to change his tune.
Before performing, Christmas bounded onto the stage with her genuine smile and spunky energy, which endeared her to the judges and audience immediately. She even cracked a joke about her middle name being “Mary” (Sydnie Mary Christmas would be quite the name choice) and got everyone laughing with her.
However, when she announced she’d be singing “Tomorrow,” Cowell winced and the other judges groaned.
“That is Simon’s worst song,” warned judge Amanda Holden.
But when Christmas, who works as a receptionist at a gym, began to sing, it soon became clear that this wasn’t an ordinary rendition of the musical classic. Soulful, heartfelt, sad but hopeful, she built the song up bit by bit, bringing the audience along with her on an emotional ride.
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Not only did she get the coveted Golden Buzzer, but she also managed to get Simon Cowell to say he now loves the song he said he’d hated just minutes before. Viewers loved it, too.
“That was the first time I could take this song serious. Before today I hated it, too,” wrote one person.
“When they say you have to make the song your own, she did just that. I have never heard a better version,” wrote another.
“Absolutely beautiful; love how the word “tomorrow” always sounded unique EVERY TIME! Listened over and over…” added another.
“I’ve heard that song a million times and she REALLY got the poignancy of it,” shared another. “It is a sad song, but a song of hope, and it is hard to walk that line and she KILLED IT. It’s not just about her voice, it is how she sold that song.”
She even pulled in people from various walks of life, moving them with her performance:
“I’m a 60 year old highway worker. Just got off work and my wife sent this to me. What I’m trying to figure out is who’s been cutting onions in my vehicle? Seriously, teared me up. This took me COMPLETELY off guard and I am so delighted to have experienced this diamond!”
“41 year old hip hop head here and never did I think I would be touched like this. The sound of suffering with a glimmer of hope in the sound. Who is cutting onions at this time.”
“I’m a 60 year old builder sitting in my van having lunch. I just watched this. The guys in the next van are taking the P coz I’m crying my eyes out! Brilliant!”
As someone named Annie, I’ve had “Tomorrow” sung to me countless times over the years, so I shared Simon Cowell’s initial grimace upon hearing what she was going to sing. But I too was moved by Christmas’s performance and gained a whole new appreciation for the song after her gorgeous rendition. Not an easy feat. What a delightful surprise for us all.
This article originally appeared on 5.1.24