Britain’s Got Talent singer Imen Siar stunned her unsuspecting father with audition
EXCLUSIVE: Imen Siar didn't only surprise judges Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden when she auditioned for Britain's Got Talent - her dad didn't seen it coming either
by Julie McCaffreyImen Siar’s turn on Britain’s Got Talent stunned her dad as well as Simon Cowell.
The Muslim singer had kept it a secret, fearing deeply religious Ahmed might disapprove
The 21-year-old said: “Dad thought I was at work but I couldn’t lie. As soon as the audition was over, I called to explain.
“Thankfully, he was happy and said he trusted me to make the right decisions. He can’t wait to see me on the show.”
Imen sang Alessia Cara’s Scars To Your Beautiful – and pals liken her style to Adele.
But Moroccan-born Ahmed had never heard the voice she developed while practising in secret.
He founded a Mosque outside Milan, Italy, where he and wife Houria had Imen. As one of few Muslim families in the area, he insisted they live exemplary lives.
Imen worried her love for singing would not fit in.
But three years ago, when they moved to Croydon, South London, her confidence blossomed and she set her sights on a singing career.
Imen said: “In Italy, I rarely saw young girls in a headscarf and wondered if I’d ever fit in. As soon as I came to London, I felt so accepted and proud. I started singing on Instagram and got a great response. My confidence grew until I applied for BGT.”
Imen, studying health and social care at college, wants to be the “first high-profile Muslim pop artist”, adding: “Hopefully I can be a good role model.”
Meanwhile, Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden recently came clean about flashing her books on purpose on the ITV show.
Amanda told The Sun: “I’m very aware of myself and what I should say next. Sometimes I pretend I’m not and I’m outrageous, and I’m like, ‘Oh I had no idea I was going to say that’, or my boob pops out, ‘I had no idea that was going to happen!’
“You have circumstances where you know what you’re doing and the situation is always ongoing, so you are always aware.”
Britain's Got Talent is on ITV tonight at 7pm.
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