It’s been 14 years since Hollie Steel graced our screens on Britain’s Got Talent, captivating audiences with her angelic voice and youthful innocence. At just 10 years old, she stood as a favourite to claim the coveted title, impressing judges Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden with her performances.
However, amidst the competition’s intense pressure, Hollie faced a heart-breaking moment during the semi-finals when she suffered a panic attack live on stage. Tears streaming down her face, Simon Cowell made the unprecedented decision to allow her to restart her performance, propelling her into the finals.
Despite her remarkable talent, she ultimately secured a sixth-place finish, overshadowed by the success of dance group Diversity.
Since her time on the show, Hollie has undergone a remarkable transformation. Now 24 years old, she has gone to release three albums and perform in huge venues like New York’s Carnegie Hall. Hollie trained at college in London for three years, where she graduated with a Diploma in Musical Theatre in 2017.
Hollie landed the role of Louisa von Trapp in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s UK tour of The Sound of Music and has also performed aboard cruise ships in the Caribbean, starring as Frenchy in Grease on board Harmony of the Seas.
Her talents have continued to shine, garnering a loyal following of over 22,000 on Instagram and 50,000 subscribers on YouTube.
However, behind the glitz and glamour, Hollie has been candid about her battles with PTSD and panic attacks, stemming from her traumatic experience on Britain’s Got Talent.
In an interview with The Sun, Hollie recalled: “I get this thing where I swallow when I’m nervous, so I started doing that and then I couldn’t control it.
“And obviously I didn’t have the capacity to gain back control of the panic attack. I was thinking, ‘Oh no, it’s happened again. Keep going, keep singing. Oh no, Simon [Cowell] looks disappointed. Keep going. Smile.’
She continued: “I know I have a lot of trauma, even from 14 years ago. When I get on stage, sometimes I go back to that moment when I’m on TV and I’m about to have a panic attack.”
“I’ve done a lot of therapy and counselling where I’m just like, ‘You need to breathe, you need to relax. You’re enjoying this. You’re fine’. I really had to delve deep to accept the panic attacks for what they are and just keep going through it all.”
Hollie’s story sparked a national conversation about the well-being of child performers and the impact of talent shows on mental health. Late TV legend Bruce Forsyth shared his thoughts at the time, saying: “To put little children through that kind of ordeal I think is wrong. Some poor little girl was crying her eyes out on there. I don’t think that’s entertainment.”
View news Source: https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/britains-got-talent-hollie-steel-32654671