Innocent Masuku on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. Images via YouTube
WATCH: SA singer Innocent Masuku into ‘BGT’ final!
The ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ season 17 finale will feature South African opera singer Nkululeko Innocent Masuku.
Innocent Masuku on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. Images via YouTube
South African singer Nkululeko Innocent Masuku has been announced as one of the acts to advance to the finals of Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) season 17.
The 33-year-old – who lives in London, England, and is an operatic tenor – took to the BGT semi-finals stage to sing a powerful rendition of Now We Are Free from Hans Zimmer’s song in Gladiator.
INNOCENT MASUKU WOWS THE ‘BGT’ JUDGES AGAIN
Once again, Masuku’s performance earned him a standing ovation, with all four judges – Bruno Tonioli, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell – rising to their feet.
“You’ve taken a song from a movie called Gladiator, and you performed it – it was like a triumphant hero!
“The control in your phrasing is unbelievable. You could never tell when [one phrase] ended and another started. Absolutely flawless!” Tonioli said.
In addition, Dixon exclaimed: “How do you sum it up? You’re the one to beat. Powerhouse! Chills – I had chills up and down my arm. Mesmerised by you and your talent. Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.”
FIRST ACT IN THE FINAL
Masuku was also announced as the first act to advance to the grand final, which will air on Sunday, 2 June.
“And our first act through to Sunday’s [BGT] final is… [Innocent Masuku]. Huge congratulations, we can’t wait to see you perform again soon,” read a caption on BGT’s official Instagram.
“Firstly, I can’t believe it. I feel so special. I’m amazed. I feel so free because I was stressed, but now I feel so free and liberated,” Masuku said in a video uploaded to BGT’s Instagram,
“I’m very happy. I’m excited,” he added.
ABOUT THE ‘BGT’ FINALIST
Masuku was born in Secunda, Mpumalanga. He is a former studio member of the Cape Town Opera, where he made his first public performance as Crabman in a production of Porgy and Bess set in Argentina.
Since then, Masuku has received various accolades including a merit award in the 2019 SAMRO competition and a Drake Calleja trust award. In addition, the singer has earned The Oppenheimer International Scholarship, and The Countess of Munster Musical Trust Study Award for his talents, helping thrust him onto the international stage.
Currently, Masuku is part of the English National Opera, playing Count Almaviva in The Barber of Seville. Previously, he played Remendado on Carmen; Gastone on The Dead City; The Son on Blue (Cover); Leonard Meryll on The Yeomen of the Guard; and The Spirit of the Masque on Gloriana. All of these productions are by the English National Opera.
