REDDISH, MANCHESTER: On New Year's Eve, a brilliant 12-year-old astonished spectators in Manchester by belting out Whitney Houston's 'I Have Nothing'. Alfie Andrew is a fixture on the streets of Manchester city center, and now he is preparing to serenade the judges of 'America's Got Talent'.
To proceed to the next stage of the 'AGT' auditions, an act must receive a "yes" vote from at least three of the four judges. If two or more judges buzz the act, they are removed instantly. Each judge, as well as Terry Crews, gets one chance to press the "golden buzzer" and send an act directly to the live performances. Let's get to know Alfie a little more before his audition airs on NBC on June 13.
Who is Alfie Andrew?
Alfie, who was spotted for 'The Voice Kids' and now has got a deluge of requests to play at various events, including a festival in Indiana, USA. His father, Ste, told the Manchester Evening News that Alfie was "trying to sing before he could talk" at the age of one, imitating Jessie J on stage at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. "We don't know where his talents have come from, we suspected his mum's side of the family because her dad was very good at playing the electric guitar," he added.
He has received no training or lessons. He is entirely self-taught. The first time he received vocal instruction was on 'The Voice Kids' and he already understood a lot about what the coach was talking about. The producers advised him to go busking to boost his confidence, which gave him the idea to try it, and he absolutely loves it. "He is not at all nervous. He's not satisfied if he can't get a location on Market Street because he wants a huge audience," according to his father.
Back in March, the teenager, who attends Priestnall High School in Heaton Mersey, went viral on the social networking platform TikTok and made headlines after he was photographed busking in Manchester to collect money for Ukrainian children. Alfie, from Reddish, often posts videos of himself singing songs by Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, and Celine Dion on his Facebook page, which has over 30,000 likes.
"Singing is all he has ever wanted to do. He isn't like a typical kid playing video games - he comes straight in from school and just wants to go upstairs and sing," Ste said. "We've had people ring us to offer help in the future within the music industry, but he is still young, so want to protect him." Every month, Alfie goes to Manchester with his loving father Ste to busk in the city center. Alfie also has a 4-year old brother, Ellis.
Alfie on 'AGT' Season 18
Alfie's Instagram page first confirmed his debut on 'AGT' Season 18 in May. The caption reads, "We are very pleased to announce that Alfie Andrew has auditioned for this year's AMERICA'S GOT TALENT! Alfie had an amazing time in Los Angeles doing what he loves...sing and entertain! Please be rest assured, if and when we are aware that Alfie's audition will be aired, we will of course share the link to watch his audition as soon as we know. The series start on 30th May so make sure you tune in! Thank you to all the followers, support, likes, and comments you give to Alfie every single day, it means the world and we really do appreciate it. Sending you all the love in the world.....Alfie & Family xx ❤️."
Tune into NBC on Tuesdays to catch new episodes of 'America's Got Talent' Season 18 at 8 PM/ET.
