The Shy 13-Year-Old Gave Short, Nervous Answers. Then the Organ Started and Simon Cowell’s Jaw Dropped

He stood in the middle of the big stage with his hands by his sides.

Malakai Bayoh was 13 years old. When the judges of Britain’s Got Talent asked him questions, his answers were short and polite, the way a nervous teenager talks to adults. His big dream, he said, was to be a singer.

Nobody in the theatre knew much about him yet.

Malakai had started singing at seven, when his mum encouraged him to join the choir at their church, St George’s Cathedral in London, where his big sister already sang. Later he joined the famous choir of his school, the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School.

The music started. A few soft organ chords.

Then Malakai began to sing “Pie Jesu”, the prayer from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Requiem.

On the very first notes, Simon Cowell’s face changed. The judges looked at each other in disbelief, and a murmur went through the audience.

His voice was high, pure and perfectly calm. It sounded like it was floating above the whole theatre. Some people in the crowd closed their eyes. Others were in tears.

When he hit the final notes, the whole theatre was on its feet.

Then Simon reached forward and slammed the Golden Buzzer. Gold paper poured down over the boy on the stage, who looked like he could not quite believe what was happening.

“One of the best voices I think I’ve ever heard,” Simon told him.

“Totally flawless and very composed,” said Amanda Holden.

Malakai later admitted he had an extra reason to want that buzzer. His mum had promised him a day off school, to sleep in and play video games, if he got it.

Even Andrew Lloyd Webber, who wrote the song, sent him a message saying he was “incredibly moved” by the performance.

Malakai went on to sing in the semi-final and the grand final. That summer, he signed with Universal Music, and his first album, called “Golden”, went straight to the top of the classical charts.

Not bad for a shy boy who just wanted to sing.

Do you remember the first time a voice gave you chills like this? Tell us in the comments.