Alicia Keys is a supernova singer with a voice that takes guts to match. Leave it to 10-year-old South London vocalist Natalie Okri to stun the Britain’s Got Talent judges with her audition cover of Alicia’s hit song, “No One”. This schoolgirl captivated the judges on the show’s third season back in 2009, her pro voice polished by the rarity of pure and innocent star talent.
Natalie has been singing since she was four and, at the time of her audition, dreamed of being like Beyoncé. Since then, she has hit the mark; releasing multiple albums and stand-alone Afropop singles since 2019 and performing shows in Brixton, London, all while becoming a university graduate. Her new sound is fresh and addictive, flavored with melodies that sound like Ariana Grande entwined with essences of Natalie’s Afropop roots.
Music is her lifeblood; on her Britain’s Got Talent audition tape, she said, “I sing at school, I sing at home, I sometimes sing when I’m eating my dinner.” With an attitude like this, it’s no wonder Natalie Okri became one of the most memorable acts to surface on season three. Her on-stage shyness diminished as soon as she started singing, channelling Jackson 5 energy, earning an instant smile from Simon Cowell, and moving her mum to tears when the audience stood up mid-song to clap.
Natalie received four out of four yes votes from the judges during her audition and advanced all the way to the BGT semi-finals where she sang “Superstar” by the British R&B legend Jamelia. However, during the Judges’ Vote, the judges favoured the winning street dance troupe Diversity, which resulted in Natalie Okri being sent home.
This obviously didn’t dull Natalie’s childhood dream of becoming a professional singer. Now 25 years old, Natalie’s most popular music video, “Like That” has gained 165k YouTube views in three years, backed by another eight official music videos boasting a collective 450k+ views. Natalie currently has 41.6k+ followers on Instagram, 52.1k+ followers on TikTok and is a low-key fashion icon in her spare time, judging by her IG posts.
Throughout her time in the spotlight, she has managed to retain the humble, inspired attitude that stole her viewers’ hearts during BGT. She added to one of her Instagram posts, “I give thanks to God that I made it to the end of university with a 2:1 while juggling music.”
Listen to the melodious voice of Natalie Okri, a child star turned accomplished Afropop singer. Natalie, who began singing at the age of four, left an indelible mark on the judges of Britain’s Got Talent 2009 with her soulful rendition of Alicia Key’s hit “No One”.
Follow her musical journey on her Instagram where she continues to share her passion for music and her mesmerizing Afropop singles. Her talent and dedication make her an inspiration for all aspiring musicians and a pleasure to listen to. Don’t miss out on any of her gripping performances.