The Golden Buzzer is the ultimate dream for anyone competing on Britain’s Got Talent. But for 13-year-old Malakai Bayoh, it wasn’t just about winning—it was about proving himself after a tough experience where he was booed during a performance at the prestigious Royal Opera House.
In a video that has captured hearts across the globe, racking up 5.3 million views in just nine days, Malakai performs a breathtaking version of “Pie Jesu”. The song is famous for being the one that launched Charlotte Church’s career years ago, and Malakai’s choice of it was nothing short of brilliant.
As his angelic voice filled the room, the camera kept cutting to the audience and judges, showing their emotional reactions. People wiped away tears as Malakai’s voice seemed to touch their very souls. It wasn’t just a beautiful performance—it felt magical, something that left everyone in the room spellbound. You can only imagine how incredible it would’ve been to witness it live.
One lucky fan who was there that day shared their experience on YouTube:
“I was there when he performed, and trust me, I’m not the type to get emotional easily. But after hearing him sing, I literally shed a tear because it was so heavenly. The atmosphere completely changed—it felt unreal.”
When the song ended, the room erupted with a standing ovation. The judges were on their feet, the audience cheered wildly, and even Simon Cowell, known for being a tough critic, gave Malakai a wink. The camera panned to Malakai’s mum in the crowd, who was crying tears of pride and joy, barely able to catch her breath.
And then came the moment no one expected. Simon smiled at Malakai and said, “There’s only one word to describe your performance: Golden.” Without even consulting the other judges, Simon slammed the Golden Buzzer, showering Malakai in golden confetti and sending him straight to the semi-finals.
Even among the many amazing Golden Buzzer winners the show has seen, Malakai stands out. His talent is extraordinary, and it’s clear he’s been preparing for a moment like this for years. His musical journey began at just seven years old when his mum encouraged him to join a choir. She must’ve seen something truly special in him.
Malakai has already accomplished so much for someone his age. He’s sung as a chorister at St. George’s Cathedral and as part of the Schola Cantorum at his secondary school, Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School. And that’s just the beginning!
He’s also performed a stunning duet with singer and former child star Aled Jones. Not only that, but he even took on the challenging role of Oberon in Handel’s Alcina at the Royal Opera House—a performance where, unfortunately, someone in the audience heckled him. The rude individual’s identity has never been revealed, but their behavior was cruel and unacceptable.
Thankfully, that awful incident didn’t stop Malakai from pursuing his dreams. Since then, he’s gone on to achieve incredible things, including performing at a sold-out Classic FM concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
As Malakai continues on his journey, the future looks unbelievably bright. Whether or not he wins Britain’s Got Talent, one thing is certain: the world will be hearing a lot more from this extraordinary young singer.
Want to keep up with Malakai’s rise to stardom? You can follow him on Instagram for updates.
What do you think of Malakai’s story? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
