"Britain's Got Talent" has featured thousands, if not hundreds, of auditionees throughout its 15 seasons that ran for more than a decade. However, the latest season's premiere caused controversy for having an alleged fake audition; what happened?
According to Pop Culture, ITV was slammed by online users after two performances: the first one being a surprise audition by a father and "The Greatest Showman" singer Loren Allred.
The dad of two, Nick Edwards, took the stage after his mom and daughters, Savannah and Cali, went up on stage.
Edwards thought he was going to watch his children audition for an act, but he didn't know he was the one going to audition for the show.
His mom said he's clueless about it, saying, "we're surprising him because we want him to come and sing because he sings a lovely song for the girls."
Although it was an emotional performance that moved the judges, especially Amanda Holden, The Sun pointed out that some viewers thought it was scripted because Edwards was already wearing a microphone on his shirt when he was in the audience area.
ITV has since denied all the allegations, telling the outlet "to report or allude to anything being staged or contrived regarding Nick's audition would be false and incorrect. He was totally unsuspecting."
"To report or allude to anything being staged or contrived regarding Nick's audition would be false and incorrect. He was totally unsuspecting."
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The Controversy Behind Loren Allred's Audition
The second controversy of the premiere comes after Loren Allred's audition.
The singer is popularly known for singing "Never Enough" in the musical film "The Greatest Showman."
Her voice was used in the movie because actress Rebecca Ferguson, who played the role of Jenny Lind, asked for her vocals. Allred was credited on the official soundtrack, and it wasn't a secret to viewers.
Online users thought it was unfair for the songstress to audition as she already had a spotlight.
ITV has defended the singer's audition, saying Allred isn't a household name, and she deserved an opportunity to share her talent with the world.
Allred also issued a statement about her performance, saying she's been fighting for her chance to be known by many and "make it."
In addition, she clarified that she's an unsigned, independent artist trying to make a name for herself.
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