EXCLUSIVE: Katherine O’Malley refuses to give up on her dream and has made it to the ITV show’s live semi-final six years after her last shot
The Salford singer has made it to the live semi finals, six years after her last chance(Image: ITV)
Katherine O’Malley first auditioned on Britain’s Got Talent back in 2018 – before appearing again in 2019 and 2020. It was six years ago that viewers last saw her make it to the live semi-finals alongside her husband, Joe, during which she dressed as Elsa from Frozen and Joe as Olaf.
It was judge Amanda Holden who suggested that Katherine, from Salford, go solo. This year she did just that. Arriving at the auditions dressed as Elphaba from Wicked as she sang Defying Gravity, she received three yeses from the judging panel, including the formidable Simon Cowell.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Katherine reflected on her ‘yes’ from Simon, as she gushed: “I was shocked! He’s the big one, the one who knows it all!”
Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter
Katherine will be taking to the stage for the second week of live semi-final performances on Saturday (May 2) night. Asked how she’s feeling, the singer said: “It’s bigger, definitely, nerves are not there yet. I mean, it’s a lot as in, there’s a lot more going on. But, it’s very exciting, it’s exciting.
“The BGT audience is just amazing, so no matter what the judges think, they’re always supportive of everybody. I just love it, and I love doing the show, so I always try and focus on the audience. You’ve got the adrenaline rush and it’s always a positive experience”.
She added: “Obviously, I would like one of those live show golden buzzers, that would be amazing or to be put through to the final, but it’s just so much fun doing the show.”
When asked how it would feel to win Britain’s Got Talent and secure a spot on the Royal Variety Show, Katherine exclaimed: “That would be my world, that would just be everything.”
Touching on the support from her loved ones back home, Katherine said: “We watched the show at my parents’ house, and that was really lovely, and they really loved it. My family are supportive – and my friends… they love it.”
Katherine and husband Joe O’Malley made it to the live semi-finals in 2020(Image: ITV)
She said she’s had lots of support from the Bolton Allstarz kids dance group, where she sometimes teaches the kids to sing, with the director and one of the kids from the group supporting her from the audience.
Katherine added: “I love nurturing the young talent and seeing the talent of the future, it’s so cute, I’d love to inspire children. I love watching kids in the show as well it’s great, seeing the excitement in their faces.”
Teasing her live semi-final performance, she promised: “I’m just gonna say that it’s bigger and better and there’s a lot going on. There’s a couple of surprises in there, but I’m not going to reveal what it is, because we’ve got to keep that a secret for the show, but, everyone needs to watch it!”
On whether or not she’d return to Britain’s Got Talent after this year, she admitted: “I said I’d never put myself through it again because it’s quite emotional, but never say never, I suppose. Also, I think I miss it when I don’t do it like those few years. It’s such a great experience.”
With Katherine entertaining audiences for the fourth year, she had some inspirational words for those at home thinking about whether or not to bite the bullet and follow their dreams.
She said: “Come and audition for the show, and if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Me and Joe are the fighters, so keep the fight. That’s kind of like a general message for performers. You’ve got to have the drive and the fight, it is a tough industry. Keep going, if you get rejected, don’t let it get you down. Keep going. Always keep going. Follow your dreams.”
Britain’s Got Talent’s live semi-finals continue on Saturday, May 2, on ITV