Gabrielle Gardiner,, known professionally as Gabz, is an English singer who reached the final of the seventh series of Britain's Got Talent in 2013. She released her debut single "Lighters " on 30 June 2013, which peaked at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart.
Career
2013: ''Britain's Got talent''
In her audition, screened on 26 May, Gabz performed an original song called "The One". When asked beforehand what the song was about, she stated that it was about "losing the love of your life". She received praise from the judges, with Simon Cowell stating, "I absolutely loved that. I really did. I think that's a cute little song, great chorus, you know, produced properly that song... you may have something there." Gabz received four "yes" votes from the judges and was put through to the next round, and subsequently the semi-finals. In the semi-final on 28 May, she performed the song again, this time with a backing track and choir. Amanda Holden likened Gabz to a young Lily Allen. Walliams urged Cowell to make the song available for purchase, predicting it could make number one in the UKSingles Chart. Gabz landed in the top three of the night, and with comedian Jack Carroll already through, it was down to the judges to choose between Gardiner and Irish singers Jack and Cormac. All four judges voted for Gabz, thus sending her through to the final. It was Gabz's idea to audition, and that her father almost refused to let her audition because of her bad attitudeat home, and required her to get better, and eventually let her after the deadline was extended. She also stated that "It would be amazing to win – I'm not expecting it – I don't think I will. I'm really really happy to get this far, I can't believe it, it's great, I'm just hoping I can get a record deal or something so I can show more of my songs – I've written over 30 now." Her hometown also saw support, with banners supplied by businesses around her hometown. In the final, Gabz performed a mash-up of a new song "Lie There" and "The One". She finished in seventh place with 3.6% of the vote.
2013–present: Singles
Cowell stated his intention to give Gabz a record deal after Britain's Got Talent. She released "The One", renamed "Lighters", on 30 June 2013 via Sony Music. It was produced by Graham Stack. The single debuted at number 6 in the UK Singles Chart. Her second single, "Lie There", was released on 3 November 2013. The video was released on 21 October. A third single "Change the Game" was released on 21 March 2014. Gabz's fourth single, "Holiday in Brazil", was released ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. It was written by Gabz and Paul Baker, with 25p from every download going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation UK. The video was filmed in London, featuring several of Gabz's brothers, two of her cousins and several of her school friends. Since 2018, Gabz has appeared in BBC talent series All Together Now, as one of the hundred judges.
