fans rage
Furious BGT fans slam Golden Buzzer as ‘unfair’ after judges send act with TV past through to finals
Some were less than pleased upon learning that she had previously competed in her native country's edition of the show last year
FURIOUS Britian's Got Talent fans have slammed one Golden Buzzer act as 'unfair' after the judges sent someone with a TV past through to the finals.
ITV viewers shared their frustration when Bruno Tonioli, 69, gave 14-year-old Maya Giotea the fast-track, despite her prior appearance on another version of the talent show.
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The singer delivered a powerful performance of Beyonce’s Listen, leaving both the judges and audience in awe.
Just before she completed her song, Bruno swiftly hit the Golden Buzzer, marking one of the fastest reactions in the show's history.
However, some fans were less than pleased upon learning that Maya, originally from Romania, had previously competed in her native country's edition of the show last year.
It was there that she also received a Golden Buzzer.
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Many took to X, formerly Twitter, to voice their displeasure, accusing the judges of favoritism.
One user wrote, “Maya Giotea who got the golden buzzer on #bgt tonight was on Romania Got Talent & got through to the live show.”
Another added, “She also got the golden buzzer on Romania's Got Talent, last year.....go figure.”
A third said, “Yet again been on Romania's got talent and got the golden buzzer even though there is none left!!”
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Despite the backlash, some fans were thrilled to see Maya receive some recognition once more.
One commented, “I am delighted for her. I remember seeing her singing Whitney Houston’s 'I Have Nothing' on Romania’s Got Talent. Outstanding.”
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Another said, “Another well-deserved Golden Buzzer! So happy for her!”
A third wrote, “Maya Giotea is the sort of act that deserves a golden buzzer.”
During Maya’s performance, Bruno was visibly impressed, even taking to the stage to personally praise the young singer.
“This was the most mature, accomplished version of this song I've heard from someone so young,” Bruno said.
“The depth of tone, the control of your voice, but the feeling was totally real. You killed it! I'm still blown away.”
Her performance earned her a standing ovation, with Maya’s parents moved to tears as she crouched on stage, covering her face in disbelief.
Alesha Dixon was equally impressed, noting that Maya had “picked one of the hardest songs to sing in the world."
KSI, who was standing in for Simon Cowell, added, “With confidence like that, you just blew me and everyone here away, honestly.”
Amanda Holden praised Maya's stage presence, saying, “From the minute you walked on stage, I just knew it. Your parents must be super proud of you at this moment.”
Read more on the Scottish Sun
She was not the only act on Saturday night that had previously appeared on a Got Talent show.
Strongman Victor Tang opened the show by showing off his muscles and singing. He openly told the judges he had already auditioned for Australia's Got Talent.
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Jasmine Elcock - 2016: Teenage singer Jasmine Elcock stunned the nation with her version of Cher's Believe. But it then transpired she had already performed professionally in London's West End. Jasmine, 14, admitted: "I’ve performed in Annie in the West End at about the age of nine or 10, but I really get nervous."
IrShad Shaikh - 2017: BGT fans were left questioning the rule book when IrShad Shaikh auditioned. He got four red buzzers from the judges, which would usually mean an instant dismissal. Yet in a strange turn of events, they let him continue with his act...and put him through to the next round.
Colin Thackery - 2019: Elderly war veteran Colin won BGT in 2019, but there was an outcry over the final. He warbled his place to win with a version of We'll Meet Again but fans were furious that escapologist Jonathan Goodwin didn't even rank in the top three. Viewers felt Jonathan - who almost suffocated while being buried alive in a gravel pit - should have won.
Axel Blake - 2022: Comedian Axel Blake was given a Golden Buzzer in 2022 after making the judges laugh. But fans were fuming when they discovered Axel already had a show on worldwide streaming platform Amazon Prime. Despite this, Axel still went on to win the series.
Loren Allred - 2022: The 2022 series of BGT was hit with another controversy when singer Loren Allred also received a Golden Buzzer. She performed Never Enough from the smash hit musical movie The Greatest Showman and got a standing ovation. It later transpired Loren was actually the original voice behind the track.
Taryn Charles - 2024: Singer Taryn Charles is one of this year's hopefuls lucky enough to receive the Golden Buzzer. Bruno Tonilio put her straight through to the semi-finals following her performance of (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin, but it has now come to light that she is no stranger to TV. Viewers recognised Taryn from an episode of ITV1's Starstruck, where she impersonated Whitney Houston for judges Olly Murs, Sheridan Smith, Adam Lambert and Beverley Knight.
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