Some songs are so popular on talent shows that judges know exactly what to expect before the first note.
“And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” is one of those songs.
It is huge, emotional and extremely demanding — and Simon Cowell had heard contestants attempt it many times before.
So when teenage singer Sarah Ikumu announced that this was the song she had chosen for her Britain’s Got Talent audition, the pressure was immediately high.
She wasn’t simply singing for four yes votes.
She was taking on a song Simon already knew inside and out.
Then Sarah began.
The Performance Started Strong — Then Something Changed
At first, Sarah delivered the song with control.
The judges listened carefully.
The audience stayed focused.
But as the performance moved toward its more powerful section, Sarah began pushing harder.
Her voice grew.
Her confidence changed.
And the entire performance seemed to move into another gear.
Simon later described it as though Sarah had become “possessed halfway through”, saying the transformation made the performance incredible.
That shift became the defining moment of the audition.
The Audience Was Suddenly on Its Feet
By the time Sarah reached the biggest notes, there was little sign of the nervous teenager who had first walked onto the stage.
She was fully committed to the song.
The crowd responded louder with every section.
Then the performance ended.
The auditorium rose.
The judges joined the standing ovation.
Amanda Holden called the audition “mind-blowing,” while Alesha Dixon later said she had wanted Simon to be the one to make the biggest decision.
And Simon was already moving toward the button.
He Didn’t Wait for a Normal Vote
Usually, the judges discuss an audition before giving their yes or no.
Sarah didn’t need that.
Simon reached across the judges’ desk and pressed the Golden Buzzer. 🌟
Gold confetti filled the stage as Sarah realized she had been sent directly through to the live semifinals.
It was also the first Golden Buzzer of that BGT series.
For Sarah, one risky song choice had suddenly become the biggest moment of her audition.
The Golden Buzzer Was Only the Beginning
Sarah returned during the live semifinals and performed Prince’s “Purple Rain.”
Once again, all four judges stood for her, and Simon praised her extremely highly after the performance.
She initially missed a place in the final through the regular semifinal result, but the judges later selected her as their Wild Card, bringing her back for the Grand Final.
Sarah ultimately finished seventh in the 2017 final.
But her first audition remains the performance most closely associated with her BGT journey.
One Song Changed Simon’s Mind
What makes Sarah’s audition memorable isn’t simply that she could hit huge notes.
It is the progression.
Simon knew the song.
He knew how difficult it was.
He had heard other singers attempt it before.
Then halfway through Sarah’s performance, something changed.
By the end, he no longer wanted to give her a normal yes.
He wanted the Golden Buzzer.
🎥 Watch Sarah Ikumu’s full audition below and see the exact moment her performance went from impressive to Golden Buzzer-worthy.
