THE TRANSCENDENT AUDITIONS

I seldom watch TV, but have become a fan of talent shows and these "transcendent auditions." I have provided links to vocal performances you would be remiss to miss, and now you have no excuse!

May 16, 2025

TALENT SHOWS: THE TRANSCENDENT AUDITIONS

We expect Elvis, Whitney and Celine to stun us, but when an unknown Scottish fireman like Stevie McCrorie walks in off the street and melts a professional judge’s panties, there is “magic in the air” … and that’s just #9 in my top 25.

These are the transcendent auditions. The number in parens is where I rank the artist in my top 25. I will give the top 25 in order, followed by honorable mentions, after the videos.

(#9) Stevie McCrorie, a Scottish fireman ("All I Want")

(#5) Sawyer Fredericks ("Man of Constant Sorrow")

It’s not all about high-powered voices, runs, and diva-ship. Sawyer Fredericks' performance of "Man of Constant Sorrow" had Christina Aguilera repeatedly asking "What?" as if she had never heard singing before.

(#4 tie) Brian Justin Crum ("Creep")

On the other hand, Brian Justin Crum’s cover of "Creep" has been known to shred and melt titanium…

(#4 tie) Loren Allred proves Disney rocks ("Never Enough" 75 million views)

(#7) Alice Fredenham, an English chanteuse ("My Funny Valentine" 90 million views)

The judges can’t pronounce her name, but they know a goddess when they hear and see one. Alice Fredenham's performance of "My Funny Valentine" mesmerized four judges, inducing "Goddess Worship" even from Simon Cowell.

(#18) Janet Devlin transforms from a shy 16-year-old Irish girl to international superstar ("Your Song" 44 million views)

Sir Elton John no longer owns this song…

(#11) Jordan Smith ("Chandelier")

Jordan Smith's performance of "Chandelier" had Gwen Stefani asking "What?" and kicking her leg high overhead in sheer amazement.

(#6) Carly Rose Sonenclar, just 13-years-old, but "Feeling Good" and making us feel even better.

Carly Rose Sonenclar's performance of "Feeling Good" not only had L. A. Reid asking "What?" but whoopin' and hollerin' like a junior varsity cheerleader.

How good is my top 25? Ask 17-year-old Sophie May Williams…

(#24) Sophie May Williams ("Time After Time" 18 million views)

(#15) Leanne Jarvis ("Stay With Me Baby")

(#10) Ash Morgan ("Never Tear Us Apart")

Ash Morgan's performance of "Never Tear Us Apart" induced a rare condition scientifically known as "Judge Worship."

(#3) Adam Lambert, the future lead singer of Queen, shows off his softer side ("Mad World")

(#2) Josh Krajcik ("The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face") is joy personified.

(#1) Dimash Kudaibergen, a Kazakh singer known as the six-octave man ("S.O.S." 49 million views)

My Talent Show Top Ten Auditions of All Time, Expanded to a Top 25
by Michael R. Burch

(#25) Julia Ivanova proves Russia rocks ("The Show Must Go On" 9 million views)

(#24) Sophie May Williams, an English marvel ("Time After Time" 18 million views)

(#23) Chevel Shepherd ("Little White Church" and "Blue")

(#22) Susan Boyle, an English powerhouse ("I Dreamed a Dream" 262 million views)

(#21) Jennifer Hudson ("Circle of Life" 28 million views)

(#20) Jordin Sparks ("With a Broken Wing" and "I Who Have Nothing")

(#19) Josh Daniel ("Jealous" 109 million views)

(#18) Janet Devlin transforms from shy Irish girl to international superstar ("Your Song" 44 million views)

(#17) Haley Reinhart ("House of the Rising Sun" and "Bennie and the Jets")

(#16) Conor Scott ("Starry Eyed")

(#15) Leanne Jarvis ("Stay With Me Baby")

(#14) Angelina Jordan, a Norwegian prodigy ("Bohemian Rhapsody")

(#13) Mitchell Brunings, a Dutch musician ("Redemption Song" 45 million views)

(#12) Jackie Evancho and Laura Bretan ("O Mio Babbino Caro")

(#11) Jordan Smith ("Chandelier")

(#10) Ash Morgan ("Never Tear Us Apart")

(#9) Stevie McCrorie, a Scottish fireman ("All I Want")

(#8) Calum Scott ("Dancing on My Own" 388 million views)

(#7) Alice Fredenham, an English chanteuse ("My Funny Valentine" 90 million views)

(#6) Carly Rose Sonenclar ("Feeling Good")

(#5) Sawyer Fredericks ("Man of Constant Sorrow")

(#4) Brian Justin Crum ("Creep") and Loren Allred ("Never Enough" 75 million views)

(#3) Adam Lambert ("Mad World")

(#2) Josh Krajcik ("The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face") is joy personified

(#1) Dimash Kudaibergen, a Kazakh singer known as the six-octave man ("S.O.S." 49 million views)

High Honorable Mention: Aaliyah ("My Funny Valentine"), Fantasia Barrino, Tessanne Chin, Sydnie Christmas "Tomorrow", Chris Daughtry, Lee Glasson ("Can't Get You Out of My Head"), Courtney Hadwin ("Hard to Handle" 310 million views), Louisa Johnson ("Who's Lovin' You" 97 million views), Lucie Jones, Kodi Lee (432 million views), Cher Lloyd ("Turn My Swag On" 69 million views), Charly Luske ("It's a Man's Man's Man's World" 88 million views), Christopher Maloney ("The Rose" 90 million views), Chris Mann, Nightbirde, Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, Marcelito Pomoy, Cassadee Pope ("Torn"), Dawn Richard, Summer Rios, Lucy Thomas ("Memory")

Talent show contestants who went on to become star singers:

Sam Harris ("Over the Rainbow" on Star Search 1984 made him the first talent show superstar)
Tiffany (Star Search 1985)
Alanis Morissette (Star Search 1988)
Christina Aguilera (Star Search 1990)
LeAnn Rimes (Star Search 1991)
Justin Timberlake (Star Search 1992)
Britney Spears (Star Search 1992)
Usher (Star Search 1993)
Beyonce (Star Search 1993 with the group Girls Tyme, later Destiny's Child)
Kelly Clarkson (American Idol 2002)
Miranda Lambert (Nashville Star 2003)
Jennifer Hudson (American Idol 2004)
Emma Stone (In Search of the Partridge Family 2004)
Carrie Underwood (American Idol 2005)
Leona Lewis (X-Factor UK 2006)
Harry Styles (X-Factor UK 2010-2011 with One Direction)
Nicole Scherzinger (Popstars 2011)
Camila Cabello (X-Factor USA 2012)

Better than the Original?

Ella Henderson ("Believe" by Cher)
Christina Grimmie ("Wrecking Ball" by Miley Cyrus)
Janet Devlin ("Your Song" by Elton John)
Haley Reinhart ("Bennie and the Jets" by Elton John)
Jennifer Hudson ("Circle of Life" by Elton John)
Josh Daniel ("Jealous" by Labrinth)
Sydnie Christmas ("Tomorrow" by everyone and she sang it better than them all)
Natasha Stuart ("I Was Here" by Beyonce)
Terrence Cunningham ("My Girl" by the Temptations)
Katharine McPhee ("Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" by KT Tunstall)
Leanne Jarvis ("Stay With Me Baby" by Lorraine Ellison)
Bo Bruce ("Running Up the Hill" by Kate Bush)
Jolan ("Wishing Well" by Terence Trent D'Arby)
Calum Scott ("Dancing on My Own" by Robyn)
Mikayla Jade ("Dancing on My Own" by Robyn)
Adam Lambert ("Born to be Wild" by Steppenwolf)
Adam Lambert ("Mad World" by Tears for Fears and Gary Jules)

Talent Show Superstars: What the Hell Did We Just Hear?

Sawyer Fredericks' performance of "Man of Constant Sorrow" had Christina Aguilera repeatedly asking "What?" as if she had never heard singing before.

Jordan Smith's performance of "Chandelier" had Gwen Stefani asking "What?" and kicking her leg high overhead in sheer amazement.

Carly Rose Sonenclar's performance of "Feeling Good" not only had L. A. Reid asking "What?" but whoopin' and hollerin' like a junior varsity cheerleader.

It's a good thing Stevie McCrorie is a fireman because he had judge Rita Ora melting her panties with his incandescent "All I Want."

Jamie "Afro" Archer oozed charisma while belting out "Sex on Fire" and getting Simon Cowell to lip-synch as the crowd went wild and sang along.

Courtney Hadwin, a seemingly timid pixie, turning into a combination of Janis Joplin and James Brown in a mercurial millisecond.

Laura Bretan had the judges of Romania's Got Talent prostrating themselves at her feet; she proceeded to win, then later wowed on AGT.

Ash Morgan's performance of "Never Tear Us Apart" induced a rare condition scientifically known as "Judge Worship."

Alice Fredenham's performance of "My Funny Valentine" mesmerized four judges, inducing "Goddess Worship" even from Simon Cowell.

Harrison Craig's performance of "Broken Vow" had Seal looking both awed and mesmerized. (86 million views)

David Dam had all four judges dancing on stage with his sexy performance of "Let's Get It On."

Matthias Nebel's insane shredding on "Bed of Roses" turned two judges into Gumby-like wallowers at his feet. (70 million views)

Aida Nikolaychuk was stopped by the judges of The X-Factor Ukraine because her voice was so perfect they thought she was lip-synching!

When elfin Janet Devlin sang "Your Song" in a voice barely above a breathless whisper, human hearts melted all over the world.

Brynn Cartelli won season 14 of The Voice USA at age 14 and wrote her hit song "Walk My Way" during the show!

When ten-year-old Jackie Evancho sang like a human angel on AGT, I am convinced that the whole world entered a state of shock and has never recovered.

More Unheralded Superstars

Jørgen Dahl Moe bringing tears to the judges' eyes with his incredibly tender cover of "Dancing in the Dark" on The Voice Norway 2022.

Tarryn Stokes displaying great range and control while singing "She Used To Be Mine" on The Voice Australia 2023.

Alexandra Căpitănescu out-Axl-ing Rose and frightening the shocked judges with her frenetic but wildly-entertaining cover of "Welcome To The Jungle" on The Voice Romania 2023.

Bella Taylor Smith turning four chairs and bringing Keith Urban to his feet with her amazing version of "Ave Maria" on The Voice Australia 2021.

Ibe Wuyts giving a touching, tender performance of "Tenerife Sea" on The Voice Belgium 2019.

Remo Forrer singing "Someone You Loved" like a seasoned superstar on The Voice Switzerland 2020.

Reuben De Melo performing "I See Fire" soulfully, with little falsetto flips, on The Voice Australia 2024.

Sebastian Krenz belting out "Still Loving You" on The Voice Germany 2021 both demanded and received an encore.

Diana Rouvas displayed crazy range, from a deep alto to whistle notes, while performing "Vision of Love" on The Voice Australia 2019.

What Were The Judges and/or Producers Thinking? The Worst Talent Show Snubs!

(#10) One last-second chair turn for Sophie May Williams, really? FOOLS!!! (Sorry, Sir Tom, but really.)

(#10) Ditto for Jermain Jackman. On the same season. And he won!

(#9) Alex and Sierra were rejected by American Idol, but won the X-Factor, go figure!

(#8) Amber Riley (aka Mercedes Jones) didn't make it through the American Idol prelims, but she became a Glee diva.

(#7) Simon Cowell called Tori Kelly's voice "annoying." She has since been nominated for a Grammy and has opened for Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran.

(#6) Colbie Caillat auditioned for American Idol twice, and never made it through the prelims. But several Idol-ators have covered her hit song "Bubbly."

(#5) Christina Grimmie finished third on The Voice, but put out five albums and more than 20 singles before dying tragically at age 22.

(#5) Katharine McPhee finished second on American Idol, but has since released five albums and ten singles.

(#4) Jennifer Hudson finished seventh on American Idol, but won an Academy Award for Dreamgirls and one of her albums was nominated for four Grammys.

(#3) Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum auditioned for American Idol twice, and never even made it through the preliminary rounds. She now has five Grammys.

(#2) Jackie Evancho second? How many millions of singles and albums will she sell before her career is over? And she was turned down the first two times she auditioned!

(#1) Adam Lambert second, really? And yet he's now the lead singer for Queen? Freddie Mercury must be rolling over in his grave ... laughing his head off!

(#1) It defies explanation that Julia Ivanova didn't win The Voice Ukraine; like Lambert she could headline for Queen.

Honorable Mention: Haley Reinhart, Billy Gilman, Frenchie Davis, Joshua Ledet, Tori Kelly, Colton Swon of the Swon Brothers, Mickey Guyton, Luke Edgemon, Robyn Troup, Mary Lambert, Naya Rivera, Alan Ritchson

The Top 40 Most Moving, Unexpected and Eye-Opening Vocal Performances Captured During Talent Show Auditions

I have a number of ties for the #10 spot, so this has become more like a Top 50.

(#40) Bars and Melody (Leondre "Bars" Devries and Charlie "Melody" Lenehan) rapping and singing "Hopeful" on Britain's Got Talent (250 million views)
(#39) Mikayla Jade singing "Dancing on My Own" on The Voice Australia
(#38) Mennel Ibtissem singing an angelic bilingual version of "Hallelujah" on The Voice France, only to be banned for supporting Palestine and wearing a headscarf!
(#37) Choi Sung-bong, a homeless boy, singing "Nella Fantasia" on Korea's Got Talent and reducing the judges to tears (174 million views)
(#36) Chloe Kohanski singing "The Chain," "Landslide," "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "I Want to Know What Love Is" on The Voice USA
(#35) Lucie Jones, from a tiny Welsh village, tackling an international monster by singing "I Will Always Love You" on Britain's Got Talent, and slaying it (31 million views)
(#34) Sam Harris, a talent show pioneer, singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" on Star Search in 1984
(#33) James Arthur singing and rapping his cover of Tulisa's "(Forgive Us, We're) Young" emotively on X Factor UK (107 million views)
(#32) Michael Grimm singing "You Don't Know Me" and "I'd Rather Go Blind" on America's Got Talent
(#31) Bella Ferraro singing "Skinny Love" on X Factor UK
(#30) Alex & Sierra singing "Toxic" on X Factor USA with real sexual chemistry (52 million views)
(#29) Jacob Maxwell singing "Delicate" on The Voice USA
(#28) Charlotte and Jonathan singing "The Prayer" on Britain's Got Talent (150 million views); also "Caruso" (16 million views but even better)
(#27) Paul Potts singing "Nessun Dorma" on Britain's Got Talent (195 million views)
(#26) Clay Aiken singing "Solitaire," "Unchained Melody" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water" on American Idol
(#25) Emily West singing "Nights in White Satin," "Chandelier," "Sea of Love" and "Fallen" on America's Got Talent
(#24) Joshua Ledet singing "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" on American Idol
(#23) Karise Eden singing "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" on The Voice UK and getting four immediate chair turns
(#22) Katherine McPhee singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" on American Idol
(#21) Brynn Cartelli, age 14, singing "Skyfall," "Walk My Way" and "Beneath Your Beautiful" on The Voice USA
(#20) Billy Gilman, a former child star, singing "Crying," "Anyway" and "I Surrender" on The Voice USA
(#19) Fantasia Barrino singing "Summertime" on American Idol
(#18) Leona Lewis singing "Summertime," "Without You," "I Have Nothing," "Over the Rainbow," "All By Myself," "I'll Be There" on X Factor UK
(#17) Maelyn Jarmon singing "Stay," "Fields of Gold," "Falling Water" and "The Scientist" on The Voice USA
(#16) Chynna Taylor singing "Shallow" on The Voice Australia
(#15) Andrew Johnston, a thirteen-year-old victim of bullying, singing "Pie Jesu" in an impossibly high, sweet register on Britain's Got Talent
(#14) Christina Grimmie singing "Wrecking Ball" on The Voice USA
(#13) Lee Glasson singing "Can't Get You Out of My Head" on The Voice UK
(#12) Charly Luske singing "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" on The Voice Holland, with four instant chair turns (88 million views)
(#11) Michael Ketterer singing "You Don't Know What It's Like (To Love Somebody)" on America's Got Talent
(#11) Natasha Stuart stunningly fierce singing "I Was Here" on The Voice UK
(#11) Jolan singing "Wishing Well" and "Purple Rain" on The Voice UK

(#10) Julia Ivanova belting out "The Show Must Go On" on The Voice Ukraine
(#10) Jordin Sparks singing "(With) A Broken Wing" and "I Who Have Nothing" on American Idol
(#10) Sophie May Williams singing "Time After Time" like a human angel on The Voice UK
(#10) Chevel Shepherd singing "Little White Church," "Blue," "Grandpa" and "Space Cowboy" on The Voice USA
(#10) Susan Boyle singing "I Dreamed a Dream" on Britain's Got Talent, converting rolling eyeballs into receptacles of awe (240 million views!)
(#10) Jennifer Hudson singing "Circle of Life" and "I Who Have Nothing" on American Idol
(#10) Josh Daniel singing a heartrending versions of "Jealous" on X Factor UK (109 million views)
(#10) Elfin and adorable Janet Devlin singing "Your Song" in a lovely breathless voice on X Factor UK
(#10) Haley Reinhart singing "Bennie and the Jets," "I Who Have Nothing" and "House of the Rising Sun" on American Idol
(#10) Conor Scott singing "Starry Eyed" on The Voice UK
(#10) Leanne Jarvis singing "Stay With Me Baby" on The Voice UK
(#10) Angelina Jordan singing a breathy, bluesy version of "Bohemian Rhapsody" on AGT Champions
(#10) Mitchell Brunings singing "Redemption Song" on The Voice Holland (58 million views)
(#10) Laura Bretan singing "Pie Jesu," "O Mio Babbino Caro," "Nessun Dorma" and "The Prayer" on American's Got Talent
(#10) Jackie Evancho's debut at age ten, singing "O Mio Babbino Caro," "Ave Maria" and "Pie Jesu" like an angel on AGT (22 million views)
(#10) Jordan Smith creating gender confusion with "Chandelier" on The Voice USA (53 million views)
(#9) Ash Morgan singing "Never Tear Us Apart" with rare power and soul on The Voice UK
(#8) Stevie McCrorie singing "All I Want" on The Voice UK
(#7) Calum Scott singing "Dancing on My Own" so evocatively on Britain's Got Talent (396 million views)
(#6) Alice Fredenham singing "My Funny Valentine" like a golden-age chanteuse on Britain's Got Talent (63 million views)
(#5) Carly Rose Sonenclar singing "Feeling Good" like an old soul on X Factor USA (46 million views)
(#4) Sawyer Fredericks singing "I am a Man of Constant Sorrow" on The Voice USA and shocking the judges into instantaneous chair turns
(#3) Brian Justin Crum singing "Creep" on AGT and Loren Allred singing "Never Enough" on BGT
(#2) Josh Krajcik singing "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" poolside for X Factor USA judges Nicole Scherzinger and Enrique Iglesias
(#1) Dimash Kudaibergen impersonating an extraterrestrial angel on "S.O.S."
(#1) Adam Lambert singing "Mad World," "Born to Be Wild," "A Change Is Gonna Come," "Satisfaction" and "Whole Lotta Love" on American Idol

Most Touching: Kechi Okwuchi, one of only two survivors of a Nigerian plane crash, singing "Thinking Out Loud" on America's Got Talent

Heaven on Earth: When Terrence Cunningham sang "My Girl" on The Voice USA, Alicia Keys said it was as if Divinity had entered the room!

Fastest 3-Chair and 4-Chair Turns: Adriana Bessogonov, Mitchell Brunings, Jesse Campbell, Glenn Claes, Terrence Cunningham, Karise Eden, Wim van Gennip, Cleo Higgins, Judith Hill, Mennel Ibtissem, Siki Jo-An, Sophia Kruithof, Jennie Lena, Damien Lawson, Charly Luske, Khalea Lynee, Alisan Porter, Anthony Riley, Joniver Robles, David Rodriguez, Ahla Sawt, Matthew Schuler, Francisco Sequeira, Sarah Simmons, Maxim Subachev, Julia van der Toorn, Mateusz Ziółko

4-Chair Turns where at least one judge had a temporary brain freeze: Menno Aben, Andi & Alex, Johnny Bliss, Jesse Campbell, India Carney, Tessanne Chin, Javier Colon, Stefano Corona, Fernando Daniel "When We Were Young" (117 million views), James Dupre, Sawyer Fredericks, Wim van Gennip, Lee Glasson, Christina Grimmie, Matt Henry, Cleo Higgins, Maelyn Jarmon, Juliusz Kamil, Vince Kidd, Anette Kolkova, Damien Lawson, Khalea Lynee, We McDonald, Cedric Neal, Matthias Nebel, DeAndre Nico, Valerie Ponzio, Cassadee Pope, Alisan Porter, Ben Saunders, Jordan Smith, Chris Weaver

Really, Judges? Really? You had to think forever about Tessanne Chin, Javier Colon, Sawyer Fredericks, Christina Grimmie, Cassadee Pope, and freakin' Jordan Smith?

And what about these singers who had to be saved by the bell? Really? What were you thinking, or not thinking, about Carter Lloyd Horne, Jermain Jackman, Wannes Lacroix, Mike Parker, Lisa Ramey, Jazmin Varlet, Jake Wells and (really! REALLY?) Sophie May Williams?

Michael R. Burch’s Substack

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