\nBy When she arrived on stage she was so shy she could barely speak. <\/span><\/p>\n But as soon as nine-year-old Arisxandra Libantino was told to sing \u2013 she could have rivalled Whitney Houston or Diana Ross.<\/span><\/p>\n The tiny schoolgirl stunned Britain\u2019s Got Talent judges and the audience with her powerful voice during her audition.<\/span><\/p>\n Diva in the making: Arisxandra Libantino, 9, stunned the judges on Britain’s Got Talent with her incredibly powerful voice<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Accompanied by her parents Aristotle, 35, and mother Elma, 32, she had to be coaxed out on to stage at Birmingham\u2019s Alexandra Theatre.<\/span><\/p>\n She was barely audible when judges asked her name and what she wanted to do. <\/span><\/p>\n But as soon as the spotlight fell on her to perform she transformed into a diva beyond her years.<\/span><\/p>\n Miss Libantino sang And I Am Telling You I Am Not Going, which Jennifer Hudson performed in the film Dreamgirls.<\/span><\/p>\n Shy: Arisxandra had to be coaxed out on stage for her audition in Birmingham, but transformed into a star when she started singing<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Incredible: The judges, including Amanda Holden, were blown away by the tiny schoolgirl’s performance<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The judging panel looked visibly shocked, while the audience cheered as she delivered a note perfect rendition of the song.<\/span><\/p>\n Miss Libantino finished to a standing ovation from the judges and the crowd \u2013 and was hailed as the best singer yet. <\/span><\/p>\n Simon Cowell does not feature in the auditions phase episodes because of his tight work schedule and plan to launch The X Factor in the U.S \u2013 he will return for the live shows.<\/span><\/p>\n Piers Morgan also left the show to concentrate on his career in America \u2013 so this year comedian Michael McIntyre and Baywatch star David Hasselhoff are on the panel alongside Amanda Holden.<\/span><\/p>\n Star quality: Arisxandra has already proved a hit with YouTube viewers, her stand-out voice attracting her attention on the site<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Hasselhoff told Miss Libantino: \u2018Are you really nine years old? You are the best singer we have had on the show.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2018You are so sweet. You came out. You owned that song. You channelled the diva. Great job.\u2019 <\/span><\/p>\n Miss Holden added: \u2018It is like you channelled some other voice from somewhere. You have the biggest set of lungs ever for someone so small.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2018I can\u2019t believe it. I thought you were going to sing Somewhere Over The Rainbow. You are a little diva in the making.\u2019 <\/span><\/p>\n Her father Aristotle, who is a care assistant, revealed that his daughter began singing when she was aged four and used to practise for hours in front of the mirror. <\/span><\/p>\n Playing with fire: Pyromaniac duo Legends of Medieval will be hoping for a flaming good show<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Doggie delight: Talented canine Zac will be hoping to overshadow last year’s four-legged darling Chandi<\/p>\n<\/div>\n He has posted a number of home clips of her performing on video-sharing website YouTube. <\/span><\/p>\n Miss Libantino, her parents and ten-month-old little brother Elijah, live in Nottingham but are originally from Llanera in the north of the Phillipines.<\/span><\/p>\n There has been a growing trend in the UK for parents to put videos of their talented children up on YouTube in the hope that music executives will chance upon them and propel them to international fame. <\/span><\/p>\n Often they are inspired by rare success stories \u2013 it was recently reported that Cowell spotted ten-year-old Canadian, Heather Russell, singing on YouTube and signed her to his record label. <\/span><\/p>\n Singing sensations? Rosalyn and Samuel will be hoping their vocals don’t let them down on the day<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Let’s dance: Irish dance trio Celtic Feet will be leaping around hoping to reach the next stage<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Earlier this year, singer Lady Gaga asked a ten-year-old girl to duet with her on stage. She contacted Maria Aragon after seeing her YouTube rendition of Lady Gaga\u2019s Born This Way, which became an overnight internet sensation, with more than 1.5\u2009million views and a celebrity following led by actress Demi Moore.<\/span><\/p>\n Children have proved a hit on Britain\u2019s Got Talent since the success of little Connie Talbot from Birmingham, who achieved global fame as a gap-toothed six-year-old after appearing on the first series in 2007 <\/span><\/p>\n But there has been controversy and fears that those under 14 are not able to cope with the pressure of the show. <\/span><\/p>\n In 2009 ten-year-old Hollie Steel broke down in tears on the live shows as she struggled to perform her song.<\/span><\/p>\n Acts this year include a pink-haired drag Queen with a love of Shirley Bassey known as Barbie Buckfast, performing horses, a professional \u2018regurgitator\u2019, and a medieval stunt troupe. <\/span><\/p>\n Miss Buckfast \u2013 real name George Lyall \u2013 appeared on stage in the Glasgow auditions in a bright-blue sequined mini-dress, stillettos and a pink wig and belted out Bassey\u2019s hits. <\/span><\/p>\n Similarly, family act Stallions of Substance, drew cheers from the crowd for their routine, which saw a motorbike leap over the horses and daredevil stunts.<\/span><\/p>\n New line up: Amanda Holden returns as the new boss of the BGT judging panel alongside comedian Michael McIntyre and reality TV star David Hasselhoff<\/p>\n<\/div>\n A \u2018professional regurgitator\u2019 who eats fish and chips only to bring it back up through his nasal cavity will also feature in the new series, while Legends of Medieval Stunt hope to re-ignite Britain\u2019s love affair with jousting and flame-throwing.<\/span><\/p>\n Viewers will also see new Irish dancing group Celtic Feet, billed as this decade\u2019s answer to Riverdance, aspiring opera singer Pippa Langhorne perform with her Lhasa Apso puppy Buddy, and African dance troupe the Cultural Group.<\/span><\/p>\n But it is an obese tribute group who are tipped to become one of the big success stories of the competition.<\/span><\/p>\n Take Fat, whose combined weight is in excess of 80 stone, stole the show at their Birmingham auditions with their unique adaptation of Take That\u2019s style, music, and routines. <\/span><\/p>\n Co-hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly said the show had a \u201cdifferent feel this year\u201d because of the new judging panel. <\/span><\/p>\n Mr Donnelly revealed: \u2018We\u2019ve had lots more pole dancers, dog acts, comics and magicians this year. There has been lots of very talented singing children this year, so that will be quite a competitive area.\u2019 <\/span><\/p>\n The show starts on Saturday April 16th on ITV1.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n
\nLiz Thomas<\/a>
Last updated at 12:28 AM on 13th April 2011<\/p>\n![\"Diva](\"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/af9a23e3328_634x503.jpg.jpg\")
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