Britain’s Got Talent has changed my life in loads of sense.
Obviously, people know me, I don’t know them. And the impact I’m having on other people, it’s really lovely to read some of the messages that I’m getting. Because I’ve had some really, really heartbreaking but nice messages, and knowing that I’m having such a positive impact on people — that I’ve been struggling and giving them the courage to do things that they wouldn’t have thought about doing — it makes me feel stronger.
It makes me feel a lot more confident and obviously I have had a lot of negative comments where people say “I don’t deserve to be in this show”, but then I’ve got to think I’ve got so many people behind me and so many people backing me that I just need to focus on them and do my best for them.
The negative comments just comes with starring on the show. Luckily I’m thick-skinned. But the positive outweighs the negative and it’s amazing. I’d say it’s made me into a better person as well, because you don’t realise the impact that you can have on people and it’s nice knowing that and it just makes you feel a little bit better about yourself as well.
Watch Stacey Leadbeatter’s performance of Demi Lovato song in BGT semi-final
I am the biggest — and I’m not just saying it — [BGT 2024 winner] Sydnie Christmas fan. After my semifinal, my vocal coach arranged a phone call with me. We’ve chatted on and off and she even talked to me after her performance last week. Sydnie Christmas messaging me!
She’s been really kind because obviously when I were worried about all the comments, she gave me some great advice. She said, “Look, Stacey, you’re amazing, it’s jealousy, just keep doing what you’re doing. Look at how far you’ve got.”
Then she said, “Nerves are normal, it makes me human.” I agree, it does.
Last year’s BGT winner Sydnie Christmas gave Stacey some advice. (ITV)
Britain’s Got Talent final
It’s mad I’ve got into the Britain’s Got Talent final. It’s wild. I wasn’t expecting it at all, as you can probably see with my reaction. I didn’t realise I screamed so much until I watched it back. It’s surreal!
I’m gonna cry regardless of what happens in the final. It’s overwhelming; it’s unbelievable. I don’t even have words for it, to be honest: it’s indescribable. I’m thankful I’ve gotten as far as I have done because it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. I didn’t expect to get this far. To say I’ve got to the final, it’s just incredible.
Britain’s Got Talent judges led by Simon Cowell. (ITV)
I don’t actually have my song set in stone yet, to be honest, I’m still discussing songs because with my first two songs, it just felt right. When I sang them I knew but I’m not actually getting that at the moment.
The main risk at the moment is, obviously, I haven’t picked my song, but I need to go bigger, better — but a well-known, not overused song, so I’ve got a lot of thinking to do.
Watch Stacey Leadbeatter’s golden buzzer-worthy performance on BGT
I’m trying to work on my confidence. I feel as though now because my audition that is the most scared I’ve ever been; the live shows, I was scared because it’s not just the audience that’s scary, it’s the fact that you’re on live TV and it could go wrong — anything could happen!
You’ve got that going on, and then, obviously, it’s just the atmosphere, it’s overwhelming.
Now I’ve done it live, I’m really, really hoping that my final performance is the best I’ve performed on the show. I’m hoping I can overcome them nerves and just go for it.
After Britain’s Got Talent
BGT’s Stacey Leadbeatter has dreams of becoming a professional singer. (ITV)
Obviously I’m still working full time. I’m not expecting to win, I’m just thankful to be where I am but I’m really, really hoping it’ll open some doors for me so that I’m able to start a music career. I already know that I’m gonna be recording some music.
I’m gonna be getting myself out there. I’ve had some people message me, wanting me to perform for them — even at weddings, at events and bars.
I hope that it’s a really good stepping stone and I’m really hoping to release my own original music at some point as well, that’s the goal. It’s not gonna be the last you’ve heard of me.
It has given me the confidence to continue my music journey and hopefully get me to where I want to be.
Stacey Leadbeatter told her story to Lily Waddell.
Britain’s Got Talent continues at 7pm on Saturday on ITV1.