Connie Talbot has revealed the cost of finding fame at a young age on Britainβs Got Talent, as she faced bullies and had to go to school with a bodyguard.
The singer, 23, rose to national fame when she finished second on the first series of Britainβs Got Talent in 2007.
But being the center of attention came with dangers: Connie told how a grown man posed as a journalist in a terrifying attempt to get close to her.
Talking about theΒ DEEP YouTube ChannelHe recalled: β(Fame) exposed me to the darker sides of theΒ worldΒ that a child probably wouldnβt hear about until later in life.
βA journalist approached us who was supposed to work for a newspaper, but it turned out that he was only interested in children.
Connie Talbot has revealed the cost of finding fame at a young age on Britainβs Got Talent, as she faced bullies and had to go to school with a bodyguard.
The singer, 23, rose to national fame when she finished second on the first series of Britainβs Got Talent in 2007.
βThankfully my mom and dad protected me, but that was probably the first time I realized that safety was something very important to me.β
Connieβs parents were so concerned about her safety that a bodyguard accompanied her to school after her appearance on the ITV talent show.
She said: βI remember when I first came off the show, I had a bodyguard called Danny who was 6β10. He followed me to school every day and was with me on the playground.
βPeople were climbing trees outside my school to take a photo of a girl in uniform, which is just disgusting.
βI now have two four-year-old nieces and I would look for anyone who had any kind of interest in them at that age.β
Connie, who said she doesnβt remember much from the beginning of her career, also recalled some good experiences she had after Britainβs Got Talent.
He met George Clooney and Oprah Winfrey, whom he described as a βwonderful ladyβ and performed at the G20 Summit, although βhe doesnβt remember it.β
Connie also dispelled assumptions that everyone on television is extremely rich.
Connie said: βWe were approached by a journalist who was supposed to work for a newspaper, but it turned out he was only interested in children.β
He added: βLuckily my mom and dad protected me, but it was probably the first time I realized that safety was something very important to me.β
Connieβs parents were so concerned about her safety that a bodyguard accompanied her to school after her appearance on the ITV talent show.
She said: βA big assumption is that because we appeared on TV we are all mega-rich. People assume you make a lot ofΒ moneyΒ because youβve appeared on television, but thatβs definitely not the case.
βPeople I make friends with say: I thought youβd be an idiot, but youβre nice. People think youβll be conceited.
Following Britainβs Got Talent, Connie released her debut album Over The Rainbow in November 2007. It was certified gold in the UK and double platinum in South Korea.
He released Christmas albums in 2008 and 2009 and a fourth album in 2012.
Their most recent song, Growing Pains, was released last year.
During an appearance on This Morning in 2023, Connie said she is βvery gratefulβ for her time on Britainβs Got Talent, calling it βthe start of her life.β
Connie said of BGT: βI feel like that was the beginning of my life, because I donβt really remember anything before that.β
During an appearance on This Morning in 2023, Connie said she is βvery gratefulβ for her time on Britainβs Got Talent, calling it βthe start of her life.β
But I remember bits and pieces of the show. At the time, I really wanted to be on X Factor and I was obviously too young, so I thought, βYeahβ, this was next.
βAnd it was the first season, so there was no expectation for the show. It just started out as a fun day. He gave me a run today, which is amazing. I am so lucky.β
When asked if she was looked after during her time on Britainβs Got Talent, she explained that the motto was βjust have funβ, adding: βIn my head I was Leona Lewis on stage singing Over the Rainbow.β
She also admitted that her family feared the negative comments would upset her, saying: βThey were worried about it, the nasty side of Simon Cowell, but now heβs softened.β