Hollie Steel first wowed Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan on Britain's Got Talent in 2009 when she was just 10, but is now a world away from that moment
-
Britain's Got Talent famed youngster Hollie Steel has realised her dream career in singing after a harrowing live performance at the tender age of ten that caused concern over her well-being. The then vulnerable Hollie shed tears on stage, eliciting a rare compassionate response from the typically harsh judge Simon Cowell, who called her "the bravest girl in the world".
Fast forward 16 years, she is now completely transformed from the little girl who caved to the immense pressure on BGT; at 26, she is the epitome of elegance and poise with no trace of the intense anxiety that once overwhelmed her.
Recently, Hollie took to Instagram to post snaps with her fiancé Daniil Kiryakov—professionally an ice skater with Royal Caribbean International and originally from the brutally cold Russian city of Pevouralski—sharing a tender kiss to celebrate their engagement a
The love between Hollie and Daniil is well-documented, with him making regular appearances on her social media over the last couple of years, yet the announcement of their engagement came as a thrilling surprise to her followers. Fans rallied in congratulations, with heartfelt comments flooding in, including one saying: "Congratulations Hollie! I have been watching you since you were a little girl and now this is a huge milestone!".
Another exclaimed: "You deserve all the love in the world!" reports the Express. Her current confidence is a stark contrast to her earlier appearance on BGT during the semi-finals, where she was visibly emotional, crying and expressing fears of disappointing others.
Scheduled to sing "Edelweiss" from "The Sound of Music," the pressure started to mount as an average of 13.3 million viewers per episode were watching that series, leading her to feel overwhelmed. The nation watched as she broke down in tears, prompting a flurry of Ofcom complaints, with concerns raised about whether a ten year old should be in such a high-pressure competitive environment.
![]()
Hollie Steele is engaged to be married after becoming a successful singer (Image: (Image: Instagram))
Despite her tearful breakdown, she captured the affection of both judges and viewers alike, securing her place in the final round. She ultimately finished in sixth place, while dance group Diversity took home the top prize and Scottish singer Susan Boyle was named runner-up.
nd showing off her exquisite diamond ring. She couldn't contain her excitement about their future together, declaring: "I said yes! Can't wait to spend the rest of our lives growing together."
