Sarah Ikumu is an exceptionally talented singer and songwriter making waves in the UK’s pop music scene after reaching the final of Britain’s Got Talent’s 11th season and embarking on a swiftly blossoming solo career that looks set to catapult her to pop stardom.

Ikumu captured the attention of judges and audiences alike when her heart-warming rendition of “And I am Telling You” from the hit musical Dreamgirls prompted notoriously critical judge Simon Cowell to describe her performance as “mind-blowing” and bestow her an honour received by few contestants: the Golden Buzzer.

The Golden Buzzer gives a contestant an immediate pass through to the live semi-finals of the competition: each judge and host only has one opportunity to press the buzzer in each season, and it’s a genuine privilege to be accelerated so far through the competition, and a mark of a seriously impressive performance. Ikumu continued to stun the judges throughout the remainder of the series, taking on Prince’s “Purple Rain” in the semi-final and leading Cowell to call her “the best singer” that’s ever come on the show, while Amanda Holden described as “phenomenal”.

Though Ikumu didn’t triumph in the final round, her magnificent performance of “Rise Up” by Andra Day, alongside a full choir, received an uproarious response from the audience and immense respect from the judges. Following her exit from the competition, Ikumu has continued to hone her vocal talents, appearing on Live at the Apollo in the US before performing for the United Nation Trust Fund, We Day at the SSE Arena, and Apollo in the Hamptons, where she performed with The Roots and Taste of Abu Dhabi. Ikumu released her debut single “Save You” in May 2019: fans and critics have responded with excitement and enthusiasm, announcing her arrival as one of UK pop music’s most promising talents.