2023 has been a life-changing year for south Wales singer Travis George, who is set to perform in Britain’s Got Talent’s third semi-final on Wednesday, May 31. The 22-year-old was giving very little away, though, in an interview with WalesOnline ahead of his semi-final performance.
When asked which song he’d be singing, Travis said the song is “something with a dramatic flair”. During his audition he gave a powerful rendition of ‘Stars’ from the musical Les Miserables.
Following his audition, which saw the audience leap to their feet, judge Simon Cowell said: “This is an audition we’re going to remember.” And for Travis, the whole experience is never one he’ll forget either.
Read more: ITV Britain’s Got Talent 2023: Who are the acts performing in the semi-finals?
Sharing how he was feeling ahead of the semi-finals, Travis said: “I listened to a Sam Ryder (Eurovision 2022 runner-up) interview a few days ago and he said, ‘Nerves and excitement follow the same path as far as emotions go’. I am both a beautiful combination of absolutely nervous and the most excited I’ve ever been. I cannot tell you how much of a pleasure this entire ride has been.”
The singer then opened up about what it has been like to keep his involvement a secret, saying: “Luckily I was given the all clear to tell some family members and two friends [that I was on the show]. As far as the general public goes, I have a group chat with whom I speak to every single day without fail - they’re all singers - and I couldn’t tell them. It was really tough because the reaction was absolutely unbelievable.”
As to how he’s coped with the fame that has come with appearing on the series, he added: “When you go on a show like this, you have to expect to be stopped - for negative or positive reasons. But everyone has been extraordinary. People who stop me in the street are so polite and caring.
“I entered this process at a really low point in my life where my confidence was in the bin. I’d had a horrible time where I was really doubting myself. When the opportunity came about to be on Britain’s Got Talent, it really revived me and has re-lightened my passion for all this. I love life again!”
During an appearance on ITV’s Lorraine following his audition episode, Travis announced that he had autism. The interview was something, he said, he was “grateful” to be able to do - read what he said in the interview here.
“The response has been unbelievably positive. I was so grateful to be given the opportunity to be on that platform and speak to Christine [Lampard] because the amount of messages that I’ve received off people with autism has really opened up a brand new dialogue. It’s raising awareness no matter what.
“If people see me as a reason for sparking that discussion then I’m truly honoured. I’ve been messaged by people who have told me that watching me perform has given them hope and sparked joy for the future. Nothing has ever hit me as hard as that. A platform to be able to discuss autism and what it means and to inspire others means everything to me.
Travis highlighted his hopes for the future, saying he’d be keen to try multiple areas of the industry. “There is nothing I won’t try. The entire industry I’m in love with - acting, singing, voice-acting, presenting - I love all of it. In all fairness, if I can find a way to make all this performing my full-time job and to make a living out of it then I will be the happiest human being who has ever lived.”
In the past Britain’s Got Talent has provided a platform for several Welsh people - some of whom you can read about here - and Travis said that he has spoken to one of them about their own time on the show. “Me and the artist Nathan [Wyburn] are good friends. Nathan is very proud of his journey and the opportunities that he’s had are amazing. Britain’s Got Talent transformed him in a way and gave him the confidence as it gave me the confidence. He’s discussed the process with me and been very supportive."
Catch Travis on the third Britain’s Got Talent 2023 semi-final on Wednesday, May 31 at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
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