SOUTH African opera singer Nkululeko Innocent Masuku wowed the judges on Britain’s Got Talent on Sunday, 20 April.
He received four nods from the judges, and his audition video has been trending all over social media, with people saying they're proud of him.
One of the judges, Amanda Holden, said Innocent was by far the best opera singer they've ever had since the show began in 2007.
Nkululeko is a 33-year-old born in Secunda and raised in Piet Retief, Mpumalanga.
He spoke to Daily Sun about auditioning for the show.
“I've always followed the show ever since l moved to the UK. It was always a desire to get the opportunity to perform at the royal variety show at the Royal Albert Hall for the Royal Family. So, when the opportunity came along, I knew I had to take part in the competition,” the singer said.
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Nkululeko said the love he’s received from South Africans since his audition has been amazing.
“I'm so overwhelmed with joy and extremely grateful, and I'm actually still processing it. I don’t feel like I'm going through this process alone. I have my country backing me up. I saw that the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture mentioned me on X and tagged the President of South Africa, which blew me away. I'm praying they stick with me all the way through to the finals and vote when it gets to that stage,” he said.
Nkululeko is an operatic tenor and that’s what he currently does in London, UK.
“I moved to the UK in 2019 after auditioning for a scholarship to study postgraduate music through English National Opera. I was successful and secured a place at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
“After completing my postgraduate, I've also been privileged to perform alongside Eric Owens and other top billed artists in a production of Porgy and Bess presented by a collaboration between the English National Opera and Dutch National Opera. I've also had the opportunity to perform at Glyndebourne Theatre. However, I'm still trying to build a name for myself and get that big career breakthrough,” he said.
Nkululeko said he is currently preparing for the semi-finals.
“The journey has been absolutely phenomenal, having previously followed the show ever since l moved to the UK. It was like a dream come true to be able to have such an opportunity.
"They really look after you well throughout the auditioning process. I'm currently now preparing for the live semi-final shows,” the singer revealed.
South African dancer Musa Motha also auditioned in 2023 and impressed the judges.
