This video is amazing. I’ve watched it about five times now. It makes me cry every time and I want to keep watching it over and over again.
Remember when Susan Boyle first sang on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009? I do, and I remember being mesmerized by her talent. Before Susan there was Paul Potts, but no singer has ever quite captured the worlds’ interest like Susan – until now. Meet Jonathan Antoine, an overweight 17 year-old who comes across as shy and admits on camera that he was bullied as a child. He sang on Britain’s Got Talent over the weekend along with his friend, 16 year-old Charlotte Jaconelli, at the urging of their school music teacher. When the two of them came on stage both the judges and audience were skeptical. Like Susan Boyle, once Jonathan started singing it was immediately obvious that he has a voice for professional opera. It’s incredible to watch. Here’s more on this story, thanks to Ace Showbiz:
One contestant has emerged as a standout in the sixth season of “Britain’s Got Talent”. In a Saturday, March 24 episode of the reality series, Jonathan Antoine stole the show after taking the stage to perform Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli’s “The Prayer” with his vocal school classmate, Charlotte Jaconelli.
Appearing on the stage in a faded shirt and baggy trousers, Jonathan earned a cynical comment from Simon Cowell who judged him based on his plain look before listening to his voice. “Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse,” he told fellow judge Carmen Electra.
The judge on “The X Factor (US)”, however, was left stunned after watching Jonathan’s performance. “You’re a future star,” the British producer praised the 17-year-old boy, who has since drawn comparisons to Susan Boyle and earned a new nickname “SuBoy”.
When Simon expressed his worry that Charlotte would hold him back, Jonathan refused to dump her and insisted they would remain as a duo. All four judges, including David Walliams and Alesha Dixon, gave “yes” to the two singing hopefuls, with Simon finally realizing that Charlotte complements Jonathan.
Being interviewed after the performance, Jonathan opened up that Charlotte gave him confidence. “I really didn’t think I’d be going up on stage today if I didn’t have Charlotte by my side. Charlotte has been a really big help for me in terms of confidence,” he admitted.
[From Ace Showbiz]
I thought that was sweet that Jonathan insisted on staying with Charlotte. She’s obviously a dear friend to him and I loved what she said about how she would always defend him. Given what he said, it’s not likely he would have auditioned without her. Charlotte can sing but you can tell that she’s not on the same level as Jonathan. Almost no one is, that kid is amazing.
The one thing that might hold Jonathan back, and I’m not being facetious, is the fact that the YouTube videos featuring him singing have the embedding disabled. People will find ways around that, like I did, but it’s a shortsighted move by ITV and Britain’s Got Talent. It doesn’t matter though, this kid is on his way to fame and riches, and I hope that it all goes very well for him.
On a side note, look at Simon Cowell’s face at 3:20 into the video. He looks like he’s adoring this kid. Simon knows he’s got his next moneymaker.
Here are Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli singing “The Prayer”
I’m too cynical for this type of story. I find nothing really special about it. Yeah he can sing…..but so can loads of other people. I’m guessing if he wasn’t overweight and the fact he had been bullied wasn’t made public, this wouldn’t be getting half the publicity.
yes you are cynical he has a great Baritone voice and a great future in opera plays. The girl was blah, his voice overshadowed hers.
MTE, Lizzie. Mte.
Lizzie I’m sure YOUR RECORDING CONTRACT….oh wait you don’t have one. Easy to be a critic. Do you have any talent? I doubt it.
But I never said he couldn’t sing. He can, I don’t deny it.
I was talking about the publicity around it and how they’re spinning it. If he was a average looking guy, he wouldn’t be all over the internet.
There are tons of opera singers around, and I don’t have to be impressed with one just because the internet tells me to.
You sound like a bully. How many 17 year old males can sing opera.
Even if it is raw and needs a lot of work on timing, etc. Still a lot of raw power perfect for polishing
There are TONS of young guys who sing opera. You have to train from a young age, and I KNOW he can sing. I never said otherwise!!
I just think the publicity around it is contrived. That’s all! It’s more of a reflection on the media than it is him.
I know what Lizzie means here. Let’s face it, these shows aren’t about talent (and yes, he has talent to spare). They’re about the freakshow.
The very fact that people are discussing this as SuBo 2.0 creeps me out, given the difficulty she had adjusting to her sudden fame. Why would they wish that on anyone else? “Hey, let’s find another emotionally-fragile person we can start out laughing at, then make money off their talent even as they struggle to cope!”
These shows have saturated an already saturated market with more pretty young singers singing bland, mass-market-appeal pop music. All the winners are indistinguishable now. They need a new marketing gimmick, and Susan Boyle handed it to them – the rags-to-riches, talent-hidden-under-a-bushel story. OF COURSE they wanted a new one.
“How can this troll-like figure possibly have made it onto the stage? They’re not pretty or thin enough to be talented – what? You mean it’s possible to be talented and yet not hot? Zounds! How inclusive we are! It’s all about the talent up in here, folks!”
And the people who never watch this crap precisely because it’s always all about hot young things will nevertheless tune in to root for the shy, homely, unlikely talent. Instant new audience segment.
*kerching*
*gag*
I hope some opera producer swoops in and rescues this kid from the doldrums of reality TV and makes proper use of his abilities.
agree with Lizzie’s comments
its laughable,to appear in a Hendrix Tshirt on a “Gong Show” singing an aria….
There’s 100’s of fine opera singers out there now,i’m sure Johnathan will do well selling Decca CD’s with 40 aria’s,a market that cannot handle a Full Opera,and an audience with short attention Spans………
Great Britain has better talent than America..just my opinion
You obviously didn’t watch the last season of UK X Factor – one potential West End Star (Marcus) and the rest will be forgotten and back to doing drunken karaoke within a year.
I thought Misha was good..but yes..Marcus was the real star!
I love it when people make comments like this one as though it were some sort of original statement or had any value.
But at the end of the day…..it is my opinion and it’s so wonderful to know I live in a country that affords me the freedom to give my opinion. Whether you agree or not. Just like you come here and gave your asinine opinion on mine. Have a great day. 😀
Actually Jasmine, I firmly believe that the inhabitants of Mars have a lot more talent than those of Venus, but nothing like the sheer genius of those of Neptune.
On another side note…did you see that item about Simon’s house being broken into by a crazed stalker/fan? Her name is Leann(e)…lol!
LMAO!!!!! ha ha ha poor WeWeNluv trying so hard to get that coveted spot on XFactor.
Yeah, just another sign of that not happening.
Whoa! OK then…
LMAO @ Simons face.
I, as an italian who lived in the States and who’s currently living in the UK, couldn’t be prouder of hearing this song, plus his pronunciation was flawless!
Sogniamo un mondo senza più violenza, un mondo di giustizia e di speranza..
but i still don’t know what is Carmen Electra doing on the judging panel… o.O
Mi ricorda Pavarotti. Ha ancora molto lavoro da fare, ma ha solo 17. Incredibile, bella voce.
Si è degno di Pavarotti, anche nella ehm..stazza! Speriamo che la sua avventura non finisca qui!
Dubito che sarà. Immaginate il tipo di formazione di questi tipo di spettacolo può permettersi. Non vedo l’ora di sentire la sua voce in tre anni. Penso che suona meglio di Paul Potts.
OMG. When Susan Boyle came onto the scene, I must have watched her video a hundred times. It just was too amazing. This kid’s video will probably endear him to many people as well. I love Simon, he tells it like it is, but I did feel bad for her that she had to hear that criticism. Awkward moment! Honestly, I couldn’t tell if her voice was that good or not…I couldn’t hear her! His voice just overshadows her, and I’d love to hear him sing by himself.
He has a good voice but he’s off the soundtrack on more than occasion so he has some work left to do.
This.
Lots of raw talent, but plenty of work ahead of him. 17 is just a baby.
That the way…rip him down. I bet you have gone far in this life. Are you living in mum and dads basement?
Wow!!!
Amazing.
That is all!
AMAZING!!!
This makes me cry too. I hope they both can get some further training and can go as far as they want to go. So glad to see them judged for their talents and not their initial appearance.
Wow, he has a fantastic voice.
Sadly, what people forget is that it takes years and years and YEARS of training to become a competent musician, and yes, a competent singer. If he wants to have a career that lasts for a long time he will have to devote time to both his appearance and stage presence.
Damn good pipes, though. Good luck to him. I’d love to see somebody so talented become a bit more confident.
Simon Cowell is one of the biggest arseh*les on this Earth. The guy is always judging people depending on how they look. What a garbage material he is !
Congrats to Jonathan. Truly amazing and talented guy.
+1
I feel disgusted by that , and he keep doing it every BGT.
Well , his ass has been kicked one more time :p
I was just coming to say that. I hate this ploy of ‘this person is not conventionally attractive so we’re going to put them down so their talent can be the dramatic twist’. Then they cut the video so all the shallow bitches pulling faces get a shot and oh lookit, it’s the dramatic reveal of the ugly duckling turning out to be a swan inside. Because it’s just SO SURPRISING when somebody who doesn’t look like a model turns out to have talent.
I thought the same thing! You’d think after how many seasons of doing this and American Idol that he would have learned by now to not judge a book by its cover. Yet he continually shows what a shallow a**hole he is when he comes on these shows.
I feel bad for Charlotte but what the judges were saying is true. She has a good voice and she can be very successful in pop. Opera is probably more Jonathan’s bag…A lovely video just the same. 🙂
Let this obviously morbidly obese person get healthy first, then share your talented voice with us. Let’s set a positive tone for the millions of obese children out there in the land!
really! get healthy first? this young man is a role model for all those larger kids out there being held back by their bodies. he should do what he did. just go out there and be and sing and appreciate his talent. you paap are a bigot.
You are the kind of person that make people feel awful. I wish you had to post your pic so we could help you better yourself.
This dropping of the health card as justification for fat shaming is getting really stale. Just say what’s on your mind: he’s a fat fuck and you want to see him fail. Ass.
i saw all his other videos on youtu.be. he has a wonderful voice. clearly has classical training. but to be able to sing like this at age 14(the earliest video i saw) is amazing. those with the ignorant smartass remarks are clearly envious. NOT everyone has this kind of incredible voice. most singers one hears to day cannot sing like this. the only judge on the panel worthy of being there is cowell. the others are all wannabe talents. cowell as a producer is the only one antoine should be paying attention to. about this boy, he sang solo and wore suits and grownup clothing in all the youtu.be videos, why the sloppy clothes on bgt? that is trivial, however. his voice in so young a child is worthy of appreciation.
Man, he’s not easy on the eyes.
Reba . . . :::sigh!!!!!:::
Look in his eyes and see the person within.
That is all.
Geez, Simon was rude to that girl. She was good too, it’s just the guy drowned her out LOL They definitely don’t need to be a duo, but I’m glad he stuck with his friend.
Fantastic young voice Jonathan! Your future is wide open. From California, USA, and one who does not listen to opera, I was impressed and would listen to you again and again with or without Charlotte. My two cents worth…next performance another opera in a tuxedo and Charlotte in a beautiful black gown, both of you have your hair back. After the second win, then try something new. We need to see Jonathan in all his elegance!
Charlotte, don’t let Jonathan hold you back! As a duo, “J” will overpower our voice…let us see u wow us with yours!
I wanted to hear Jonathan Antoine’s performance on CNN, but the anchors talked through the entire thing. Any way they could try to be quiet?
thanks for this Kaiser, i cried with his voice (I don´t care if he is overweight).
AAAAAnd ,B.G.T has my big love from little britain as a jury, i´d love to go there and bark a little just to see him XD
That young girl is so so beautiful. The antithesis of all the vapid young people we see in the media all the time.
Courtney Stodden, take note.
That video had me sobbing. Just too, too beautiful.
His voice is amazing. The girl was good too. A bit disneyish maybe but still good.
I never bought into the Susan Boyle thing, she was tragic. But this boy is amazing, he is so young and obviously incredibly lacking in confidence but his voice is amazing. It was really moving to watch this. Future star hopefully.
He’s an inspiration for many, including those who bullied him. I think he avoided dressing up because they were going for the surprise factor of what you see is not always what you get. It makes a greater impact to see/hear the extremes. But even in a tux there would be no denying he has a gifted singing voice. I like how she is his tugboat that carries him safely to where he needs to be. A wonderful example of talent, adversity and friendship. Bravo.
HUGO! From LOST. 🙂
Hilarious lol 🙂
Tad
LMAO!
That’s mean though. He may have the hair and the bulk, but his face is adorable, unlike Tad and Hugo.
Do you mean Hurley?
His hand was shakin’ like a leaf. No doubt it was a nerve-wracking experience. Such talented kids with a lot of maturity and loyalty for one another – lets just hope they don’t get sucked in the media machine.
Beautiful singing had me in smiles and in tears. I hope the show will give them both a chance to have all they deserve.
Btw, the other male judge looks like a young Beau Bridges doesn’t he ?
Crying, crying, crying happy, happy, happy tears. Even before they started singing because of their hearts. Charlotte, if you come across this site let me just say you are an amazing girl…you touched me when you said you felt the need to protect your friend Jonathan. I wish there were more people like you out there, for our children would be better off. Both of you bravo!!! Jonathan you endured and have been rewarded as a result. Let that be a lesson for all those children that feel left out, that you can persevere or search for something special within yourself that nobody can take away. ; )
Bullies suck.
He looks like that dude from Lost. That is all.
His talent is undeniable, which is precisely why I think it is perfectly able to stand out on its own, without the media using him as another installment of the series ‘he’s overweight and looks nothing like your typical attractive singer, but can sing’. I don’t really get why looks should even matter when it’s a competition about voices- especially since he seems to aim for opera singing. Why branding him as the next, male version of Susan Boyle -who’s amazing too, of course-? Let him be his own self. Of course, that wouldn’t be as profitable for the show and the media, though.
He’s cute as a speckled pup.
AMAZING. I loved their story. I love their friendship. Charlotte had an amazing attitude about basically being told she is the “third wheel”. I wish them both the best. They are lovely.
Reality television is successful primarily because execs know the formula, how to manipulate audiences with it, and audiences are brainwashed every time. I am not trying to detract from people’s enjoyment of this clip, it was meant to be enjoyable and inspirational. But, media are constructions, and this clip – much like Susan Boyle’s foray onto the international stage – were very calculated. Take Simon’s initial quip, as they walked out on stage. The camera capturing the skeptical audience faces. The sob story of this singer’s struggles. Then, the payoff. It was perfectly setup, like clockwork. I am not denying the kid is good and I hope people are inspired by it, but I also hope people know how media is constructed, and why. I remember Susan Boyle saying she had never been kissed and acting like she was this person that hadn’t sang, when she’d had a record deal prior and admitted the kissing thing wasn’t true. This show has had numerous setups, like any other reality TV show, for maximum viewer effect. Naturally, the formula works, which is why they keep doing it. Just remember folks, reality TV is largely planned and scripted, no matter how much they try to argue otherwise.
M79,,top comments,the lowlife sob story,now the instant glory,its almost a mini 15 second German Wagner Opera.
Simons,”well reahersed spontaneity”,his intional Quip,about Johnathans look,was classic Jerry Springer Show.
M79 you say it with flowers, but what you are saying is spot on. The whole thing is scripted – only about 20% of it is actually true.
Discovered by BGT? Nope – he’s been on youtube and doing concerts for years. And has 4 years classical training. Never out of his house, dresses like a big baby? Nope, he dresses up smart and uses make up in his shows – this is his only appearance on video looking like a basket case. Too shy to sing alone? Rubbish, he belts his stuff out lustily and sings solo in concerts. The new Pavarotti? Nope – good voice, but still requires a lot of training. The surprise on Cowell’s and the other judges faces? Pure acting – it was all set up in advance. The nasty quips? Just a way of providing a little villany, to boost the audience. The roars after about 1,5 seconds? There were cheerleaders in the crowd.
The real end game here? A quick career launch for Jonathan on celeb freak shows(though the opera world may now shun him), plus big sales of CDs, and a lot of people who thought Bambi was a true story, crying with happiness because now they have PROOF that Dreams Come True After All. And who are about to dump a bit more of their hard earned cash into the coffers of the Simon Cowell production company.
And laughing hysterically all the way to the bank, Simon Cowell, who now has enough cash to buy himself an island.
The judge Simon is a cruel man. Even if he is right about their chances as a duo he should not have said it – it was unecessary.
Having read and put aside the foregoing comments, both positive and negative, I have to say that this is the most inspirational video I have ever seen.
Da un americano che ha visitato l’Italia e ci è piaciuto, devo concordare nella tua lingua con i vostri commenti. Avendo letto e mettere da parte le osservazioni che precedono, sia positive che negative, devo dire che questo è il video più ispirazione che io abbia mai visto.
Enjoy the attention, study to be a good singer and save a little of the money. Many people will try to “be your friend” but you know who the real ones are: they supported your efforts from the beginning. Stick with them. Best wishes for the partnership.
These two deserve a long lasting carrier together forever, I just hope that the Devil(money) is not going to break the Beauty of their true Friendship. In the eyes of God they are the Most Beautiful people as it stands… Johnathan and Charlotte I say you should never lose that Beauty! To me you are two of the Most Beautiful people that I’ve seen in the 50 years of my life… I also hope that you both will have God driving your vessel into your successful Future. God Bless You Always.
Many people have stated that the “discovery” of these two singers is contrived. By the wonder of youtube, their talents can be enjoyed by many of us who were not privileged to be in the audience that night. We can bask in their enjoyment of singing and being aware of a well delivered message. Listen to the words they sing: that is the message for us all, a place to be safe and appreciated.