Star of Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) Jasmine Rice has revealed that she received shocking, heartbreaking news just hours before her audition for the ITV show.
The drag queen and opera singer wowed judges at her first BGT audition, but hours before she received the sad news of her grandmother's death.
Rice said she received the news in a phone call from her father, sharing: “It was out of the blue. She wasn't sick. She did have dementia. My family - including my grandma - have been such an amazing support system for me to continue singing.”
Sharing how she carried on with her BGT audition, Rice said: “I basically thought of that and used that as fuel to continue and try to concentrate and do my best.”
This time tomorrow night, our next round of talented acts will take to the stage again! 🇬🇧🌟
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BGT star Jasmine Rice shares heartbreaking news ahead of audition
Following her rendition of Nessun Dorma, Rice wowed the BGT crowd and all four judges, Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli.
Discussing her audition, Rice told the Mirror: “How many people can say that they could dedicate a performance to their loved ones on the day that someone passed?”
Adding: “It's an anthem for my grandmother as she enters the pearly gates of heaven. I thought ‘She's hearing my voice as she flies away’.”
Rice decided to audition for BGT after being inspired by alumni of the show, sharing: “Being rejected so many times in the opera world and being a struggling artist in NYC is very hard.
“Then my friend Loren Allred encouraged me to try out for BGT before I completely lose confidence in myself.
“So I wanted to come over the pond to prove myself that I am worthy enough to be on stage and that I do have what it takes to make it.
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“She told me I had to conquer this fear, and that the Brits would get me.”
The drag queen and opera singer now hopes to make it through to the final of BGT and perform in front of the Royal Family.
Britain’s Got Talent airs on ITV1 and ITVX at 7pm on Saturdays.
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