Have you ever wondered what a seductive swing version of The White Stripes’ classic hit “Seven Nation Army” would sound like? Nope, me neither. The original song is so grounded in the pulsating rock guitar riff and Jack White’s sinister vocal delivery. As a result, it’s hard to imagine it working delivered in a slower and softer form. But this is precisely what Aleksandar Mileusnic attempted when auditioning for Britain’s Got Talent in 2018.
The Stevenage singer, aged 23 at the time, appeared composed as he made his way to the stage and chatted with the judges. But as he admitted in an interview before his performance, this outward confidence was covering up inner nerves and self-doubt. He had been performing since he was 17 but hadn’t managed to find the golden ticket of a record deal to launch his career. Performing, therefore, had been put on the back burner for a long time. So how would he cope with his moment on the stage?
It wasn’t just for himself that the young singer wanted to do well. His wife was pregnant, and he was determined to put on a performance that would make his son proud to watch back on one day. Also, the council worker admitted that the prize money of 1 million pounds was a huge motivator as it would be “life-changing” for his young family.
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With a jazz piano accompaniment, Mileusnic gave a hugely impressive performance. His composure as he worked the crowd into a frenzy belied his earlier nerves. As he built towards the song’s crescendo, he was able to show off the range of his vocal abilities. The crowd responded emphatically, cheering with delight at what was sure to be a victorious audition. It was a performance full of heart and emotion, and the video of it has been watched over 6 million times on YouTube.
After he finished, the judges and crowd rose to their feet. Mileusnic was close to tears as he absorbed the acclaim he was receiving. For a man who had come close to a music career but had not achieved it, this felt like a second chance.
Amanda Holden complemented Mileusnic on his vocal performance and noted that his good looks also worked in his favour. Simon Cowell was similarly enthusiastic about the performance and said, “I feel like I’m actually witnessing a star being born”.
Mileusnic made it through the audition stage and progressed impressively through the competition. In the semi-finals, he performed another swing-influenced cover version, this time of Blackstreet’s “No Diggity”. The judges were full of admiration for the performance, with Cowell saying “I really hope the public put you through to the finals because you deserve to be there.” Unfortunately, the public only voted him fourth, and his dream was over.
However, on the back of his BGT performances, Mileusnic has been able to find more work as a professional singer and songwriter. With his determination to support his young family, not even a seven nation army could hold him back. If you would like to see more from Aleksandar Mileusnic, you can subscribe to his YouTube channel or follow him on Instagram.