At just 11 years old, Asanda Jezile walked onto the Britain’s Got Talent stage with a huge challenge ahead of her: performing Rihanna’s hit song “Diamonds.” 🎤💎
The young singer from London delivered a polished audition that impressed all four judges and earned four YES votes, sending her through to the next stage of the competition.
Asanda Jezile Takes on Rihanna
Asanda chose Rihanna’s “Diamonds” for her Week 3 audition in the 2013 series of Britain’s Got Talent.
For an 11-year-old performer, it was an ambitious song choice. But Asanda approached the stage with confidence and quickly demonstrated that she was comfortable performing in front of the judges and audience.
Her performance was not only about her vocals. She also brought strong stage presence and personality to the audition.
One contemporary report quoted Simon Cowell praising Asanda’s stage presence for someone her age, while Alesha Dixon told her that her voice was incredible and compared her to “a little diamond.”
Four Judges Say YES
When the performance came to an end, Asanda received a unanimous result from the judging panel.
All four judges voted YES, allowing the young singer to continue her Britain’s Got Talent journey. The official BGT video description confirms the four-yes result.
The response highlighted how strongly the audition had connected with the panel.
For Asanda, the result was an important step toward her dream of becoming a professional performer.
A Young Singer With Big Stage Presence
One of the most frequently mentioned aspects of Asanda’s audition was her stage presence.
At only 11, she appeared comfortable performing under the bright lights and in front of a large television audience.
Simon Cowell specifically praised her stage presence, while the other judges also reacted positively to her performance.
That combination of singing ability, confidence, movement, and personality helped make the audition stand out.
Why “Diamonds” Was a Memorable Choice
“Diamonds” is one of Rihanna’s best-known songs, making it immediately recognizable to viewers.
Asanda’s version gave the song a very different context: instead of Rihanna performing it, the audience was watching an 11-year-old contestant take on the hit during a major talent-show audition.
That contrast created much of the curiosity around the performance.
The official BGT video itself describes Asanda as a singer who “shines” during her Rihanna cover and highlights Alesha Dixon’s “little diamond” comment.
Asanda’s BGT Journey Continued
Asanda did not stop with her audition.
She continued through the competition and ultimately became a finalist in the seventh series of Britain’s Got Talent. Later in the competition, she performed Beyoncé’s “Halo” in the semi-final and “If I Were a Boy” in the final.
Her 2013 appearance became an early chapter in a continuing music career.
Final Thoughts
Asanda Jezile’s “Diamonds” audition shows why young performers can make such a strong impression on talent shows.
At 11 years old, she took on a Rihanna hit, delivered a polished performance, impressed all four judges, and earned four YES votes.
More than a decade later, the official BGT video continues to attract a huge online audience, demonstrating the lasting interest in Asanda’s early performance.
Watch the original performance and see the moment 11-year-old Asanda Jezile brought Rihanna’s “Diamonds” to the Britain’s Got Talent stage. 💎🎤
