After an unforgettable 2024, Britain’s Got Talent winner Sydnie Christmas is still coming to terms with her meteoric rise from everyday life to stardom.
Just months before her Golden Buzzer moment, Sydnie was working at a gym and questioning her future. “On New Year’s Eve, I remember sitting in my parents’ garden pub, feeling completely deflated,” she told Headstrong. “I kept thinking, What is my purpose? I’d wanted to be on stage all my life, but the West End just wasn’t letting me in.”
Three weeks later, everything changed. “My brother-in-law told me to keep going—he had a funny feeling. Then suddenly, I got the call for Britain’s Got Talent. The timing was unreal,” she recalled.
Sydnie’s powerful rendition of “Tomorrow” from Annie and her emotional take on “My Way” captivated millions, earning her Amanda Holden’s Golden Buzzer and, eventually, the 2024 crown. “It’s still a pinch-me moment,” she said. “I don’t think I’ve processed it yet.”
Now, the 28-year-old is preparing to release her debut album, something she describes as both “fast and magical.” “I’d never recorded an album before,” she explained. “It was all new — a crash course, but I’m proud of it. I just can’t wait to hold it in my hands and think, This is my life now.”
Facing Online Criticism
But with fame came challenges. When her first BGT performance aired, Sydnie admits she wasn’t ready for the sudden wave of online attention — both good and bad.
“The first week after my audition was tough,” she said quietly. “You go from being this normal person to having thousands of people comment about you online. Some of the things people said weren’t true, and some were just plain cruel.”
Comments questioning her background, her emotions, and even her intentions quickly spread across social media. “People thought I was putting it on, or that I wasn’t genuine,” Sydnie explained. “It broke my heart a bit because I’ve never been that kind of person. I’m just emotional — I feel things deeply, especially when I sing.”
At one point, she said the negativity nearly made her step away from social media entirely. “It was a shock. I remember thinking, Why are people being so mean when they don’t even know me? But then I realized, if I let that stop me, I’d be giving them the power.”
Sydnie credits her family and fans for helping her through that period. “My mum told me to focus on the love, not the noise”, she said. “Now, I try to use my platform to spread positivity. For every one hateful comment, there are hundreds of people cheering you on and those are the ones who matter.”
Despite everything, Sydnie’s spirit remains unshaken. “When I’m not working, I’m just me. I hop on the train, wear a tracksuit, no makeup — nobody notices me, and I love that,” she laughed. “The only difference is that now my job is something I truly love.”
She added, “Sometimes it was easier to do it for other people than for myself. I wanted to make my family proud. They’ve been through this whole journey with me, so my win was our win.”
With a debut album, a nationwide tour, and a growing fanbase, Sydnie says her goal now is simple: to stay grounded and kind. “I want people, especially young girls to know that you don’t have to be perfect. People will always have opinions. What matters is staying true to who you are.”
And as for what’s next? Sydnie smiled, “I’m still learning, still practicing, still me. I just want to keep doing what I love and stay positive about whatever comes next.”
