In her initial attempt in the semi-final Hollie Steel was overcome by nerves and broke down in tears halfway through her performance. She begged to be allowed to started again. When she was told that there wasn’t time for her to do it again, she began to cry and hug the other moderator, as she continued to beg for another chance.
Simon Cowell proved he could be a nice guy saying: ‘I don’t care how we find it but we will find the time somewhere. In the meantime, when you were on it, you were brilliant. Everyone gets nerves.’ Granted he was also showing himself to be a good decision maker, showman and businessman but that is part of his roll. Watch Hollie Steel’s exceptional performances.
After her success second attempt at singing Eidelweiss Simon said: “Hollie you are officially now the bravest girl in the world. Good for you. It’s not easy. You’re ten, on the stage on your own. Not only did you sing it well the second time, you performed it and you nailed the last note.”
Ok, bravest girl in the world is a bit of an exaggeration but it was something very few people of any age could do. And hopefully others can gain courage for their own challenges from what Hollie was able to do.
Piers added: “You can smile now. It’s all over. That was one of the gutsiest things I’ve ever seen in my life. I couldn’t have done that. You should be very proud of yourself. I will be amazed if you’re not in the final.”
Amanda said: “Hollie I knew you could do it. You’re such a little professional. The most beautiful, innocent pure voice.”
Aidan Davis took the fans vote with a brilliant dance. It was up the the judges to decide whether Hollie or Greg Pritchard would go to the finals. Piers said: “Greg, you are unique but that [Hollie's performance] was one of the most courageous things I have seen. It moved me to tears.” Amanda Holden added: “It wasn’t just that she came back on stage, it was that her performance was better.” Simon Cowell made it a unanimous vote for Hollie.
Ironically the TV introduction to Hollie’s performance included the line “a 10 year old girl tonight who won’t get nervous because she’s got nerves of steel. Its Hollie Steel” And she did, in her second performance.
Related: Hollie Steel Audition Video – Singer “Holly” Steel – I Live to Dance In Front of the Queen – The Girl Effect (another inspiration), girleffect.org
Photo: Hollie Steel singing in her semi-final performance, from ITV.
Buy Susan Boyle's CD: I Dreamed a Dream
Buy Carnival Ride by Carrie Underwood
May 29, 2009 at 17:40
Sorry to say it, but I think Hollie should be disqualified. No other contestant got a chance to perform twice and it obviously influences the voters. The producers were right, Simon was wrong.
May 29, 2009 at 21:19
stephen: May I point out to you,that perhaps,no other contestants needed a second chance. And possible that the much demonized Simon, realized that the purity,beauty,and inocence of Hollies personality came through in her beautiful voice. And that he recognized that she is what she is> The closest intity to one of Gods own angles thats on this earth.So Stephen open your heart,engoy this God sent gift. You go girl,Hollie you ROCK YEAH———-
May 29, 2009 at 22:57
Hollie Steel is petrified. Her mother and the panel should do the responsible thing and withdraw her from the competition. We are amazed the panel put her through to the final! What were they thinking. Look at Hollie’s body language. The show shoule take professional advice. This child is being pushed by her irresponsible mother, well out side her comfort zone. STOP IT NOW!
May 29, 2009 at 23:20
Hollie should be disqualified. The judges still have time to correct their awful error. She should not have threw a temper tantrum. The crying looked fake and there were no tears on her cheeks. This is a terrible example to set for other children – they will think that the can just cry and get what they want even when they do not deserve it.
Greg Pritchard should be in the final.
May 30, 2009 at 00:42
Hi guys! The talent of Hollie it’s something we can not denied. She’s cute, with a great voice. Although I think they shouldn’t have given to her a new chance to perform. I bet muyt be overwealming to perform in that huge stage, but here should be equality first. In previous semi finals other contestants were taken by nervousity and they didn’t got a chance. They didn’t cry but it was obvious that they were nervous and that affected their performance, case like Jamie Pugh which was not my favorite but he got down by the nerves.
I think they should have vote for Hollie without an extra performance, she did very good! It’s all about being fair and stick to the rules because we shouldn’t forget that it’s a contest.
May 30, 2009 at 04:37
The crying wasnt fake. There WERE tears on her face. I think Simon was correct, and your all forgetting that the VIEWERS placed her in the top 3 not the judges, and she may well have been 2nd.
For Heavens sake it wasnt a “temper tantrum”. Sadly there are many kids today that throw real temper tantrums and cause a lot of problems in our world, Hollie is not one of them.
I personally dont think that her Mother pushes her too much. She has a talent and it should be encouraged. You can see from her that she genuinely loves it.
The only think I didnt like was when she said at the end “I dont want this to end” but I honestly feel ALL the acts have been coached and encouraged to say rubbish like thia for their intro “clips” in X Factor style. THATS something the show producers shoul stop; just let people give their own voice.
Finally Greg sang flat last night Im afraid, though I think he has a great talent.
k
May 30, 2009 at 04:46
I agree she has great talent but what she did was unacceptable. Just compare the way she faked crying to get a second chance and the way she really cried when she got through to the next round. Spoil brat
May 30, 2009 at 07:42
Hollie should have been disqualified,didn’t se anything spectacular about her in the begining- and still don’t. The judge’s comments about being the bravest girl in the world are a farse and an insult to children that are suffering illness and extreme deprivation- not one that crumbles on stage. Greg no longer needs the circus that Cowell creates anyway it has served its purpose.
May 30, 2009 at 09:49
You people don’t get it. The judges are doing their job and that job is to get the best talent to the next round. When Simon saw Shaheen had true talent, he stopped an impending disaster and gave him a second chance. They gave an adult violinist a second chance to come back as a solo. Instead of not allowing Evans to move on, they told the parents to shut up and let them move on because their son had true talent. Shaheen, the violinist, the Evans boy, and Hollie were too talented not to give another chance. It is not about being perfectly fair to everyone. It is not about sympathy. (Maybe letting her go again was but certainly not putting her in the finals.) It is about finding true talent and all but 2grand and the Greeks are true talent! The judges and voters got it right 8 out of 10 times. I just wish Natalie could have gotten in somehow over 2grand or the Greeks and maybe Jamie Pugh. Those two also have true talent.
May 30, 2009 at 10:08
The one thing that bothers me is that Hollie wants to win this so much. I don’t think it was just the pressure of being in front of a crowd that got to her. She was fine at the audition, and I think she has been in plays and things. She seems to be a strong child in terms of being able to put on a brave face based on her comments about bullies and things. And although I am sure the attention and build-up to the semi-finals were factors, I think the real problem is her desire to win and be “a top of the world” when she meets the queen. Her love for singing and dancing was replaced by a focus on winning. That is a natural thing to happen to anyone, but her parents must step in here. They must teach her that she should never view her gift as a tool to obtain things. Sure, her singing can take her places and make her money, but that cannot be her focus. Her focus must simply be her love for what she does otherwise she will lose something precious, namely, the joy she has when singing and dancing. Singing on stage should be no different than singing at home. That will help her relax. She should not be thinking about winning and getting some prize. She should be thinking about how much joy she feels when she performs and sharing that joy with us. Of course she will also think about winning and earning money as she gets older, but those things will come naturally. And she must understand that sometimes she will win and sometimes she will not which is a tough lesson for all of us. But the most important thing is to never give up the joy she has when she performs for any contest, any audition, the queen, or anything or anyone else. Nothing is worth losing what makes her the most happy.
May 30, 2009 at 10:20
All I know is that this girl has a beautiful voice with amazing vocal range and is the most talented singer in my view. Shaheen has an excellent voice and is powerful, but I think we have seen the best from him even if he gets training. It just lacks a little something special that someone like Michael Jacskon had as a kid. Susan Boyle is very good and might make a CD or two but nobody will know her name in a few years. And Shaun Smith is also good but I don’t think good enough. But Hollie is so special, and with the right coaching, both in terms of singing and how to handle things emotionally, she could be great. She is the one in my view that has the best chance at a professional career even if she does not win. And every time I see her, I just want to give her a hug. Part of me even wants to contribute to her singing lessons because I know her parents have somewhat limit finances. But I am sure she will soon have all she needs. I’ve heard Simon want to sign her. I just hope she has the right parental direction. A lot of child stars turn into some not so nice adults, and I would hate her to become some diva or something worse. Good luck to you Hollie and some day I hope to give you that hug and tell you how much I love your voice.
May 30, 2009 at 13:14
I’m waiting for the results online since I’m in the USA. I’ve seen all 10 finalists. All I know is that Hollie was absolutely incredible in the finals! I know she has some issues with her lungs and stamina, but if she can overcome them, she will definitely be a professional singer, or perhaps in musical theatre, if she wants. I am not familiar with her choice of song in the finals, but I immediately could hear how difficult it was and got nervous for her, but she nailed it! The other acts were extremely good as well, but I am partial to Hollie and the beauty in her voice. Susan did a very good job but was a little flat. I heard more power and less beauty in her voice than I would like. I feel exactly the same way about Shaheen. He always just seems to be slightly out of tune to me for some reason but is powerful. Shaun was great, but again, his voice is almost there, but not quite right. Hollie for me is clearly the best singer. And by the way, I’d like to see the girl from 2 Grand come back on her own. She has a very good voice as well although the act itself, while touching, is not special. It is hard to compare her to Hollie since she was singing with someone else and also her song was much easier, but I think she did a good job. As for the dance acts, Adrian is a wonderful kid and did a great job but Diversity and Flawless were better and deserve points for needing to coordinate their moves with one another. I would go with Diversity because I found their routines a little more creative and humorous, and this time, I think the coordination needed in Diversity’s routine was a little more demanding, but it was very close. In terms of Julian, he seems like a great person and plays wonderfully although I know that song very well, and I think he missed a note or two. Finally, the Greek dancers were energetic and I liked them more than when I’ve seen them before. They added a lot of fun to the competition. But all in all, if I could vote (I’m in the USA), while Diversity would be a close second, I would have to choose Hollie because she is so special. She was born with a gift, and I hope she will continue to share it with all of us. And to think she is only 10 and will get better! You did an incredible job young lady, and I am a big fan whether you won or not. Congratulations! You are a winner especially after what you came back from regardless of any vote!
May 31, 2009 at 04:28
I can’t believe how some people can say that she didn’t deserve a second chance. Life is all about second and third and fourth, etc. chances. Do you guys threat your own children like that? One mistake and you’re out? Why are people so cruel? She’s a little kid, have some heart!
Hollie is bursting with talent and I wish her a fabulous career. May all her dreams come true.
June 1, 2009 at 16:11
You’re right, Rudi, about giving a second chance in this situation. The goal is to find and display talent. It isn’t like this was the World Cup or Olympics and everyone gets one chance in front of (hopefully) impartial referees. I can understand the people who think it was not fair, but I think they need to change their perspective. I cited several other examples (see above) where the judges did similar things. The goal is to get the 10 best acts to the finals and have the public decide which they like best, not to be perfectly fair to everyone along the way.
By the way, I shouldn’t have said anything to imply others in the competition won’t have professional careers… obviously, many will. What I mean is that Hollie has the best chance at a career of many years. But I hope that Susan will also have a long term career too if she wants. I am just not sure how long the public will be interested in her. But for me, Hollie could be the next Sarah Brightmans or someone like that. And even if not quite at that level, she still be able to be a professional and have a lot of success. I hope one day to see her as the lead in a Broadway musical and on the cover of her own CD.
June 2, 2009 at 22:55
I agree with you as well, John. If life was all about having ONE chance we’d all be in big trouble.
I can’t help but think about all the great artists we’d be without.
Hollie has a great and beautiful voice and she’s so sweet to boot. Something else I really like about her is that she is herself. She didn’t try to copy someone else. You don’t see that very often.
As for the other “great” acts, I all wish them well. You know, some may say that Stavros Flatley wasn’t that special but I found it very funny and creative. So far there’s no one else who came up with their idea. That’s creativity and that ought to be rewarded as well.
Hollie, go for it, girl. You have a lot of fans and we’re all rooting for you. And I especially loved “I Could’ve Danced All Night”. What a voice!
July 2, 2009 at 23:02
I agree with John, I too am from USA. Hollie is very brave to ask for 2nd. As for those foul language, inhumane, cowerdly cyber bullies, most of them grown men physically but not mentally from what I heard. They’d “if they were driving” probably would like to blow their horne & curse at a little girl crossing the right of way street, in a bycicle at a school zone or run her over, if they are in a hurry to get coffee or whatever. Lets see them go up stage in a tutu in front of 1000+ people instead if the computer. They make a big deal out of 4-5 extra minute of her performance, when they watch ball games going for half hour overtime and don’t make any big deal, in fact most of them love it, as far as I believe. Lets not forget the comercials go on longer then that 1 after another.
I also heard that Bruce Springsteen sang Born To Run sometime in 1980s and forgot the lyrics to his own song I believe, “that he sings over and over”, and audience sang it for him, nobody critisized him and he was a grown man. Hollie on the other hand, is a child, was not singing her own song and it was hard. When I hear Hollie singing I get tears. No one can replace Hollie’s voice absolutely no one. She sings in her own natural voice from her heart 100% without imitating others. To me she’s got the most beutiful voice that I ever heard in my life and I want to buy her cds, dvds or blueray whenever it becomes available.
September 17, 2009 at 16:52
Hollie WAS second in the votes. BGT published the votes for the top two in each semifinal, which are in the WIkipedia entry for BGT Season 3. In Semifinal 5, Aidan got 50.6%, Hollie 26.0%. That adds up to 76.6%, meaning that there was only 23.4% for ALL the rest, including Greg. IOW, Hollie got more votes than the next *8* contestants put together. In fact, in EVERY case, the judges “chose” the actual second-place winner. It’s possible that they knew the voting results and agreed among themselves to put the real second-place finisher forward. In several instances, you can see them consulting just before the results are announced.
September 17, 2009 at 17:12
That should be, “The next *6* contestants,” as there were 8 in each semifinal.
As for performing the same song in the finals as in the audition, that has been the rule, not the exception. Paul Potts & Connie Talbot, in Season 1 did the same thing. Last year, Escala peformed “Palladio” in both instances. It’s not surprising, actually. A singer or instrumentalist is likely to use his/her best song for the audition, as it is critical.
Dancers are in a different situation, as the audience isn’t likely to accept a repeat. I found Aidan’s “excuse” for re-doing his audition routine (jazzed up a bit) a bit lame. Stavros Flatley, Diversity, & Flawless, like the Cheeky Monkeys the year before, all had the sense to create and practice a routine for the finals BEFORE the semi-finals. (SF & CM used other dancers, as well–can’t do that in a day or two.) Apparently, Hollie did the same thing.
Courage is about making hard choices, not about suffering through adversity. (A solder who gets killed may not have been courageous. He could have been just standing around when an artillery shell hit. OTOH, if he (or she!) decided to risk death to retrieve a fallen buddy under fire, that would be courageous.) Hollie could have quit and gone home, but she came back and did well (a few bobbles, but, as her reaction at the end of her second try showed, she was still quite upset). FWIW, Hollie nearly lost a lung to a major infection. She apparently still has breathing problems at times.
One other thing that struck me throughout was just how small Hollie is. She barely comes up to Sally’s shoulder, for example. I think that I read that she’s around 4 ft tall, which would put her far below average for her age. When she’s alone on the stage, it’s hard to tell, but, when she stands next to an adult (or an older kid, like Sally), it’s obvious how small she is. (Thus Kellie Brock’s comment about that voice coming from “such a tiny little thing.”)