An Awakening
To Gift A World

Part 4

A Night Few Will Forget
—certainly none who were there

Vocal Confluence

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Loren Allred earns Andrea Bocelli's praise for this impressive duet using both operatic voice and full belt.

Sometime in 2021, the global "Got Talent" franchise approached Loren to ask whether she would agree to audition for the 15th edition of Britain's Got Talent. Loren politely declined, remembering her past experiences. They had explained that Simon Cowell, the creator of the franchise and also a judge on the show, had loved the film "The Greatest Showman" and that "Never Enough" was his favorite song, but that he had no idea it was Loren's voice. She remembered all too well that it was Simon who had crushed her dreams in 2008, on American Idol, offering hurtful comments and sending the teenager home after her live audition. They approached her a second time, stressing what an epic event it would be to reveal her identity and sing "Never Enough" for her audition. Knowing that many others in the UK were equally unaware, Loren reconsidered and accepted their invitation. She would face not only her fear of a stand-alone live performance in a large, imposing venue—along with a massive TV audience—but also the same judge who once told her, "Maybe you could sing on a cruise boat someday." For someone fearful of public appearance and averse to being judged, the moment could not have been more frightening, nor the stakes higher.

Her TV appearance on the first night of auditions for "Britain's Got Talent", which aired on Saturday, April 16, 2022, was a moment that will live in the minds and hearts of Millions, and certainly Loren's. The Palladium is a historical, multi-tiered theater in London's West End district, which is its "Broadway". Seating roughly 2,300 attendees, the tiers are so vertically stacked that, when viewed from the performer's perspective, they appear to be almost on top of the stage. So yes, it was an intimate venue, but in the absolutely opposite sense of those smaller, cozy environments that she had grown comfortable performing at. This was not a venue for a timid artist standing alone before a capacity audience, with or without the TV crew and cameras.

Before viewing the clip, there are a few key points to note. The actual audition took place before a full live audience sometime in January or February, allowing time to add the very apropos post-audition music, some audience shots, slow-motion shots, and several close-ups of Loren. Again, only weeks separated the Bocelli performance (above) and this closed-live audition, yet the contrast could not be greater. Her followers, likely nervous themselves upon watching her, were hopefully impressed by her courage to finally rise and confront her demons, as we'll call them. There's much to say about the performance itself afterward; however, it is important to note that this audition was not about demonstrating vocal perfection, but about overcoming the fear of stepping into the light and claiming an iconic song that was rightfully hers, finally giving it a face and a name, as others had been trying to do. I selected this clip rather than the official BGT video because of the extra moments shown backstage. The nerves are clearly evident in the introduction and continue into the song's opening verse, but she recovers each time and soon begins to soar, as all the pent-up emotions seem to explode out of her. There had been a lifetime of taking a half-step forward, followed by a half-step back, always putting it off, and settling for a guest role on someone else's stage, or confining live shows to pubs and small gatherings. But not this time! It seemed forever in coming, but that only made this decisive moment all the more special. Following my comments after the video, I'll include my own personal experience of seeing this performance. The lengthy content regarding this event is simply owing to the special role it played in her journey, as well as my own.

Preface to Part 4

And So It Begins

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Britain's Got Talent, April 16, 2022, Loren Allred | Audition | "Never Enough"

It's typical of Loren to minimize the "whoo!" heard backstage, and to say "...I'm a little bit nervous..." when she was likely feeling as if a herd of wild horses was about to stampede inside her. She entered the stage with poise, but her nervousness was clearly evident in both her voice and body language as she stood. When the judges reacted to the fact that she was the voice of "Never Enough", you could see the rush of emotion on her face. I always enjoy the candid shots of people in the audience...the now-informed guy leaning forward in anticipation, the Asian girl, whose expression conveyed it all, and the woman in front of her, who was moved to tears. Those in the audience who already knew of her must have felt chills, knowing what they were about to witness. Loren was trying so hard to control her nerves before the music started, constantly shifting her stance. (Remember the exchange with Michael Buble?) It was a frightening moment for her, and it showed in the shakiness of her voice during the opening verse, even coming off the note at one point. But you'll notice she collected herself each time, ready for the next note. She doesn't take long to gather herself; the vocal flip was impressive, and from that point on, it wasn't nerves affecting her vocals any longer...it was the power of her voice pushing the nerves aside, as if they were an uninvited guest no longer allowed onstage. She almost seemed outside of herself, not in a disembodied sense, but as if she were suddenly bigger than life, too large to be contained in that slender body. It was an uninhibited display of pure raw emotion—this time expressed to a live audience instead of a camera, and it just kept building with each line of verse. The audience rose to a standing ovation before she even got to the main chorus. Despite it not being her usual flawless delivery, it didn't matter...it was more than enough. Any technical elements that were left in the warmup room were more than offset by the sheer power and emotional impact of what everyone was witnessing. The riffs and runs were so well executed that some viewers didn't even notice them, and the final crescendo was even graced with a cry. It literally hit the audience like shock waves that not only penetrated but also surrounded and enveloped them. It was impossible to describe! The close-up shot of Loren's face afterward showed the rush of emotion before the camera quickly cut away to show Simon's applause. When it returned to Loren, looking out and up at everyone still standing and applauding, "A Million Dreams" (from the film) fittingly played in the background. Thus, excluding wardrobe, these moments somewhat resembled the movie scene, but they belong to her instead. Some had known how special this song was to her, and now everyone could clearly see, in her face, what this moment meant. She had faced her fear and boldly taken back what was rightfully hers. "Never Enough" was her song, and that would be cemented even more firmly in the near future. The judges searched for words to describe what they had seen and heard, and Loren's jaw dropped with Simon's confession. I still wonder at what point he became aware that he had sent her home fourteen years earlier, during the "American Idol" auditions. The tabloids and media went about their usual half-informed mission to stoke controversy and misconception. But Loren would treat it like previous contentious moments, staying above it all, and simply doing what she does...sing and write songs.

When Loren's audition first aired, I was at home in the islands, with no access to British TV, and I was too busy preparing to return to New Mexico to notice anything that was trending on YouTube. A few weeks later, in Santa Fe, I was in my room, about to enjoy dinner. The hot food couldn't offset the chill of the 7000 ft elevation, so I got up to close the window while my laptop was connecting to YouTube. As I walked back to the table, I saw the thumbnail on the screen. The image looked familiar, but it didn't register until I sat down and saw the BGT audition title. I was thoroughly confused by what I was seeing. I had attributed her absence from any live performances to the pandemic and assumed her interim song releases and music videos were preludes to upcoming tour appearances or another TV special. It took me a moment to gain some perspective, but that didn't end the confusion—why was she on a talent show again? That question was soon answered, but not my puzzlement over the contrast in her demeanor and appearance versus what I had seen in those last few music videos. She had presented a different look and persona in each of them, but always appeared comfortable and self-assured. Here, however, she was clearly uneasy and self-conscious. "Slender" seemed to describe her better than "slim," thinking back to her fit state in "Til I Found You" six months earlier. Maybe it was the five-inch heels or the nervous stutter that contributed to that impression. I suddenly felt I had not been foolish in reaching out, and that everything I had sensed about the anxiety had been real. Seeing her so nervous made me nervous, and the emotions and anticipation seen in the close-ups of the audience closely resembled my own. I realized that I hadn't taken a breath in almost a minute. I can honestly say that part of me was afraid for her, while another part was expecting something grand. I've already described her performance in the section above, so this is simply about my reaction. It literally blew me away: the nervous start, her gathering herself, the steady increase in letting go, and the bold finish—everything about it! Try to picture a grown man sitting there with goosebumps on both arms, chills running up the spine, wiping away tears with the back of each wrist, and hoping none of the other house guests would come knocking, wanting to see. I still feel the chills and the rush to my face when I watch this clip. In my case, of course, there is a backstory adding to the emotion, but aside from that, we're shown how a singer can physically affect you with no movie script or story buildup, no dramatized or visually enhanced film scene, no cast support, and no sound editing, but merely their voice and expression—it's a gift few possess. On the one hand, it was like I was seeing her for the first time; on the other hand, it was as if I were seeing a daughter or a niece whom I'd watched grow up. I try to imagine how her mom, dad, and sisters felt that night, but I'm sure it falls short. I'll leave it there, except to say the official BGT clip now has more than 88 million views, and I've watched it more times than I can count. I've seen countless reaction videos, some of the best being from just avid music listeners, some from genuinely savvy vocal coaches, and some from the experts and pundits who seem more interested in wanting to impress you with their knowledge. I'm often amazed by what flies right past them sometimes. However, in this case, most seemed to know this was something special...beyond music and singing. As for technique and vocal skill, they're present in abundance for every performance you will see and hear from this point on. However, it is what we see evolving over the coming months and years, in terms of the person executing those skills and delivering those performances, that begs to be witnessed more than simply described.

*Note: Two sad and similar events had occurred during the pandemic period. Loren lost her grandmother, and I lost my sister. Loren would create a heart-touching song and a music video in memory, and I would eventually send it to my brother-in-law, knowing his grief. In late 2021, I attempted to reach out to Loren a second time, still unaware of her tour appearances with Bocelli. In the spring of 2022, I returned to New Mexico, and during the two-hour wait for the train in Albuquerque, I thought of reaching out again, but didn't—I had intruded enough. Little did I know, there was no longer a reason to do so! She needed no one's help—she had done it on her own, perhaps inspired to some degree by others who also reached out to her. She would step out of the shadows to face not only her biggest fear, but also a former adversary.

In the fall/winter of 2021-22, I was immersed in exploring the influence of breathing patterns upon the nervous system, in relation to physiology, emotion/behavior, and cognitive functions. The two-year hiatus for the Santa Fe neuro-somatics program would continue until spring, so I was free to focus on respiration. Both programs were sensory-based platforms that often revealed anxiety and self-perception issues across a wide spectrum of individuals and occasions. I had experienced both of those issues firsthand, more than once, in the decade leading up to the pandemic, facing strong odds of failure, with no consoling precedent to offset them. Standing alone in those situations, doubts and uncertainty swirling, questioning one's choices and decisions can suddenly flood the mind. I was convinced I had seen something similar in Loren during her appearance on The Voice in 2012. Most of us know, or have seen someone who displayed a gap between their self-image and who they actually were, and that disparity can land anywhere on the "under-over" scale, if you know what I mean. Talent shows often showcase those with no real concept of their actual ability or potential. When I watched Loren on The Voice, I came away with that feeling—that there was a disparity. However, I was completely unaware of what she had faced within the industry up to that point, so I was only seeing part of the picture. It wasn't that she had no clue as to her identity, nor her ability, but rather that she was questioning why nothing was happening—"What am I doing wrong?" Watching those performances later, it struck me as being more about doubting her choices, as if thinking—Maybe I'm just not cut out for this!

Regardless, when we're denied or rejected enough times, by enough people—whatever the reason—then we start buying into it. When you add exhaustion to the equation, it strongly suggests that her exit from the industry in 2012 was basically a decision to rescue herself. Thus her journey began anew, first by simply returning to a normal life, then by choosing paths in music that were practical and purposeful, choices offering encouragement and fulfillment rather than disappointment and defeat. Her shift toward songwriting during the pandemic period would serve more than one purpose. It resulted in a run of delightful songs, but more importantly, it allowed her to express her inner self in lyrics, shedding long-held negative thoughts and feelings, and she clearly seemed all the better for it. That riddance was at the core of "Miss Myself" and was easily recognizable in the metaphorical lyrics for "Perfect." Any disparity in self-image that might have existed before didn't appear to exist now. She seemed to know exactly who she was and what she had to offer—if only she could overcome the nerves and anxiety.'

To this observer, it seemed the anxiety issue only surfaced when it was a 'live solo performance for a sizeable audience. I'm reminded of my musing about "secretly replacing the camera with live viewers." Given the stature of those she had performed with, it's hard to imagine her doubting herself—it seems absurd, doesn't it? Yet we see it all the time—Sia's anxiety before every live appearance—including the years of hiding her face. So yeah, anxiety can definitely mess with your mind, regardless of whether it's chronic or acute. Loren's guest appearances with Andrea Bocelli's "Believe" U.S. tour were unknown to me at the time. Below, I've included the performance of "Canto Della Terra" at Madison Square Garden in December 2021—only weeks before the chapter that follows, "A Night Few Will Forget," in London—where the disparity will shock you.

With Bocelli, she's allowed to move between operatic voice and her high belt at several points, and does it so smoothly and powerfully that it earned his praise. Note particularly the amazing drawn-out verse covering three notes, sustained for over 12 seconds, near the end, and again at the finish! Others have performed that song with him and dropped out well before the end. I've also seen him shorten the final note to accommodate a guest artist, so there was every reason for him to reach over and commend her. One has to wonder—If she could overcome the apprehension of singing in operatic voice, before 20,000 knowledgeable listeners, alongside Andrea Bocelli...no less, what could be more daunting than that?

If I had seen this at the time, I'm certain I would never have reached out to her—I would've felt foolish. Yet, when I watched her take the stage in London only a month after these Bocelli concerts, the contrast was so great that I was glad I had. I had simply offered encouragement and suggested a few not widely known uses of breath, unrelated to singing. I've no idea if the comments were seen, but a later post suggested perhaps they were.

The reason many readers will jump straight to this time period is simply that this is where the "obvious" begins to appear, and it happens rather quickly, relative to all that has come before, so I'll try not to slow the pace too much. But lurking in the background are events and details that contribute to a full understanding and appreciation of what takes place in the coming years. It's also worth noting that much of the beauty lying within this transformation is the fact that, despite who she becomes as a performer, she remains the same person within, a humble and gracious being who cares about others and isn't afraid to show that part of herself. Let's return to London and Britain's Got Talent, 2022, as Loren's story continues to unfold with her second-round appearance.

BGT Semifinal

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Loren Allred steps out of the shadows with her powerful performance of Lauren Daigle's "You Say"

What a difference four months can make! It is now June 2, 2022, and we are about to watch Loren in her live semi-final round on Britain's Got Talent. The setting, however, will be quite different. The live performances have moved to the Apollo Theater, just outside the West End, to allow for a larger audience. The close-up intimacy of the Palladium is now replaced by a single large circular balcony and deeper lower-level seating, creating a more expansive audience to perform to. With her crippling fear overcome, this configuration will suit Loren well, given her powerful projection. Although her audition of "Never Enough had aired on April 16, it had actually taken place earlier, thus she had several months to return home and prepare for this moment. She selected Lauren Daigle's "You Say" for this performance. I'll save the observations and comments for after, but I think what you see and hear in this video pretty much speaks for itself.

A Candid Reaction

If you watched Loren's audition from six weeks ago, then you'll surely notice that her presence and demeanor are already different here. Gone are the crippling nerves and anxiety, replaced by a more poised and confident performer. Not to say that she isn't still nervous, of course, as well she should be. Over the years, I've worked with clients plagued by event anxiety— athletes, businesspersons, and performing artists. But each of them understood that if you aren't nervous, you aren't ready to perform at your peak. The issue is all about degree and perception. For Loren, her heightened emotional state is now an asset, like a projected aura or valence state that connects with the audience in a symbiotic exchange. It's something people find difficult to describe, yet you see it in their faces and body language—the frozen expression with mouth agape, the side-to-side nodding of the head, or a hand-to-heart gesture. This causal effect is more than just appreciation; it's total immersion. It resembles the storyteller who draws energy and inspiration from the expressions on the faces of those listening, which in turn draws them deeper into the story ... we've seen it before with other top artists. Much of Loren's expressiveness appears genuinely authentic and spontaneous, including body gestures, but even the routine gestures are thoughtfully expressed. Whatever the case, her stage presence leaves you wondering how she could ever have doubted herself. When she drops her head and arms in resignation early in the song, we see judge Amanda Holden's reaction, as if wondering—What will she do next? At the 1:44 mark, the camera shifts to view Loren from an upper-left box seat. I smiled as I recalled the tender scene in The Greatest Showman where Barnum's youngest daughter watched with binoculars from a similar box seat alongside her sister, transfixed by every detail of the onstage figure that had captured her heart and her imagination. Loren captured the hearts and imagination of many on this night in London.

With "You Say", she covers a lot of territory technique-wise. The depth and fullness of her low notes are really impressive. It's not Toni Braxton-low, but there's a richness and tone to it. It's always noticeable at the beginning of "Never Enough" on the word "now", while here it's softer. However, it's the power and resonance of her "mids" that really stand out, along with the ability to bring so much of her chest voice up into her mixed voice, making it so full. Even in her high mixed voice, the vibrato and fullness are still present, where so many others start to thin out. It suggests that she's really a mezzo-soprano who's learned to belt really high. But then, after hearing the "Canto Della Terra" duet with Bocelli, it's not a big stretch of the mind to think soprano also. Amanda Holden pointed out her breath control, and the same could be said about her voice control, often described by other artists as impeccable. Her shifts are smooth, and the strength and precision of her falsetto at the end felt like it could have reached the back rows even without the microphone. With her ability to push the power and draw it back so precisely, along with the rest, she had simply taken this song to another level. Listeners marvel at the surprise element, unsure of where she's going with the next note or phrase. This performance won the public vote that night and sent her to the finals two days later, where a couple of subplots would arise and create some debate.

A Goal Realized

How do you get people who are walking the streets, standing in kitchens, or driving cars to suddenly start singing your song? Well, you could go the traditional route by writing it, practicing it, performing it at a local pub, perhaps including it during an opening gig for another artist, and, if you're confident enough to invest the money, book a recording session and hope it pays off. Or you could return home from an audition, write a song, practice it for a few months, return to your audition site, and perform it live for a packed venue and 6.5 million TV viewers. I still have trouble wrapping my head around that, but it's the only account I've seen, thus far, of the song performed by Loren in the finals of Britain's Got Talent. Choosing to sing her original song, "The Last Thing I'll Ever Need," was a bold move, but maybe not as risky in her mind as it was in the minds of others.

BGT Final

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Britain's Got Talent / Finals, 06/05/22, Loren Allred - Original song / "The Last Thing I'll Ever Need"

By starting so high in the register with mixed, head, and falsetto, it was a pretty safe bet that she would stretch the upper limits at some point. There's no doubt that vocal experts could debate the issue of "mixed voice" vs "head voice" vs falsetto" endlessly. I'm just a listener, but it really comes down to whether you're speaking of anatomy (the vibration of the vocal fold layers) or of perception (the audible sound itself). Loren's control often "blends" the transition almost unnoticeably, while at other times, the flip is intentional yet seamless. Here, she dropped into her upper-middle range early on, then brought her resonance into the mixed voice. I'm sure there was anticipation of an extended belt at some point, given what was heard in the semi-finals. However, I doubt many expected the one she actually delivered, and certainly not the climactic burst that followed. The sustained climax belt at G#5 sat everyone up straight and dropped jaws, but the explosive B5 note that followed almost lifted them off their seat. Note the two young girls in the front-row seats. I'm still wondering if the one on the left was the young girl who auditioned and was later taped covering this song at a shopping mall. It wasn't just the power and fullness of those notes; it was the explosion of emotion that accompanied it, joined by similar expressiveness elsewhere in the song. During a working rehearsal, Loren even voiced a concern about that high note to BGT vocal coach Annabelle Williams, despite acknowledging that it was the version she wanted to try. Obviously, she rose to the occasion. This version would later be recorded as the "Diva Version".

Loren didn't win this competition, and there were plenty of opinions offered as to why. I won't comment on the more absurd ones, but I would remind all that the show 'asked her' to audition; she 'didn't ask them'. Many were right to say that aside from those nervous early moments during her audition, once she unleashed herself, every song felt more like a mini-concert than a talent show performance. This, of course, only fueled the acceptance of all the innuendos and misconstrued information that was being spread. By the time the finals arrived, the seeds of misinformation pushed by the tabloids and press had taken root in the minds of many, and any chance of winning was doomed at that point. This was just another example of how a bit of knowledge becomes a dangerous thing. During her brief time as a signed recording artist, no song was ever released. Even as the voice behind "Never Enough", Loren was unknown to most of the world at this point, so it was simply not credible to say she didn't belong on that stage. As for record deal conspiracies, you merely have to listen to her interviews or glance at her history to know that she wasn't competing for a record deal. Quite the opposite, in fact, she wanted to produce her own records and videos, and she is currently doing just that. Lastly, many felt that performing her own song for the finals was a serious mistake. I've mentioned that choosing to sing an original song wasn't such a huge risk in her mind, simply because performing her own song on that stage was her dream, a goal that may have been far more important to her than winning the competition. Regardless, the music world is all the richer for her having made that choice, and Britain was able to rejoice in awarding the title to one of their own—likely the best outcome for all.

A Touching Tribute

In the year that followed her Britain's Got Talent appearance, Loren, with inspired input from Ashley Monroe, wrote and produced "I Hear Your Voice", a song I've mentioned, reflecting the memories and sense of longing that both had felt after losing close family members. Loren had lost her beloved grandmother during the pandemic, and Ashley had lost her father to cancer when she was a teenager. Ashley's shared account helped guide the song's emotional intent, and producer Michel Heyaca assisted with the co-writing. I won't assume, but I suspect that this song had been forming in Loren's mind for some time. It was intended to help all who have suffered a loss deal with their grief and was released in April of 2023 as part of her EP with the same name. The EP and the "I Hear Your Voice" music video represented milestones in Loren's career as she assumed her identity as a songwriter and stand-alone performer. I'm including two video links: a live performance of the song on TV's Good Day New York, and the official music video. *Please note that if you've recently lost someone dear, the Official Music Video may elicit strong emotions.

TV / Live

Artist Within Art

Good Day New York TV, May 2023

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This music video is a step up in quality for Loren and quite unique, with the artist as art within the art itself, before then depicting memories and emotions, and finally time itself. The interplay of lyrics, emotions, and visual content produces a powerful effect. Loren uses family members throughout the video. The woman entering and listening to the recording is one of her sisters, which makes for an interesting scene when she studies Loren in the still-life pose. The vocals are an impressive display of how Loren just seems to keep raising her game as her confidence grows—the high note at the peak has so much volume and resonance. This song was written not only in memory of those Loren and Ashley had lost, but for everyone dealing with loss and grief. I've already mentioned that I lost my sister around the same time that Loren lost her 'Nana.' The video really hit me when I first viewed it, so much so that I chose to wait a bit before sharing it with my brother-in-law because I knew how it would affect him. For Loren, this project was a significant step in her new role as an independent artist.

Classic Joins Class

Between May and December of 2023, Loren appeared on David Foster's Hitman Tour in Asia and Andrea Bocelli's European Tour. Many seem to overlook the wisdom of her current trajectory. Loren is footing the bill for all of her own productions—to finance her own global tour would be a staggering expense, requiring major sponsorship, thus inviting input and influence beyond just dollars. By teaming with established tours, she allows them to bear that huge expense, thus continuing to gain exposure while methodically crafting her future. The nostalgic performance below is from the Hitman Tour in Asia, featuring Loren's duets with the legendary Peabo Bryson. For those who are a generation or two removed, the Grammy, Oscar, and Golden Globe-winning song, " Whole New World," replaced Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" as the #1 song in March of 1993 and can be heard here. It showcases Peabo's acclaimed, stylish voice, which has produced 21 albums (five of which are gold), including duets with Natalie Cole, Roberta Flack, and others. His breathing pattern and voice were affected by a heart attack late in his career, but even here, at age 72, his nuanced tone is still easily recognizable, and it does not go unappreciated by Loren, nor does his contribution to music. Despite my liking the Singapore video, I've replaced it with the Bangkok video, whose owner courteously allowed a clean theater format. (credits below)

Through The Ceiling

In May 2023, NBC revealed plans for a spinoff of America's Got Talent, with the judges selecting acts from the past decade to compete in a team format. AGT Fantasy League was formalized that September, and Simon Cowell selected Loren to be part of his team. The show's January 1, 2024, premiere would air on NBC and Peacock and was announced earlier, in November 2023, roughly coinciding with the taping of auditions before a closed live audience. Loren's song choice was obviously decided upon soon after joining Simon's team, well before the audition, so the patio discussion depicting Simon's bold suggestion to level up "Never Enough" was surely taped after that song choice. His idea is met with warm agreement from Loren, but I wonder what her real thoughts were at first mention—Uhhh, I'm sorry—are you being serious? In the accompanying reaction video, both hosts are quick to exclaim, "It's already so big...how do you make it bigger?" From my perspective, the patio scene is more noteworthy for its display of Loren's extraordinary change in appearance and demeanor. It's just my own observation, of course, but when responding to Simon's admission of having been starstruck during the BGT performances just two years prior, she literally looks and sounds like a different person than the Loren who was on BGT. Following the release of her "Late Bloomer" EP and her BGT audition, we saw her hesitant, intimate reveal at Joe's Pub just before the battle with her emotions while singing "Rainbow." There, she confirmed what some of us had sensed earlier, and we were now witnessing the resultant shift. Both the EP and BGT were pivot points in her life, leading to the poised, confident, and elegant individual we are seeing here. In my view, the growth and transformation are extraordinary and are noticeable time and again over the coming months and years.

There were nuances seen in some performances of "Never Enough" while touring in 2023, as well as in her own personal appearances, suggesting she was constantly styling and tweaking the song. Upon joining Simon's team, she began revising "Never Enough" to comply with AGT's abbreviated time limit, and her final version would shock the audience, the judges, and the entire music world. She had introduced herself to her home country, leaving many to wonder—How could anyone possessing this kind of talent have ever gone unnoticed? The ceiling was now shattered, and talent shows were forevermore a thing of the past. This special invitational appearance had provided her a stage to show who she now was and suggest what was to come. Unfortunately, the NBC/AGT full audition video is no longer available, so a condensed HD version (below right) is provided. Additionally, I've added a reaction video link for the full TV audition (including backstory. The reactors had seen a thumbnail request for the BGT audition but never viewed or reacted to it—so Loren is unknown to them.

Leveling Up

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Loren Allred stuns listeners with her incredible version of "Never Enough"

Obviously thrilled by this occasion, Loren remains so humble when asked to tell everyone who she is. The backstory is well-crafted, and her watching herself perform the actual demo session for the movie must have brought everything full circle when filming that part of the backstory. Awaiting her audition, the nerves are evident in the shots of her backstage. I can't imagine anything more challenging than starting ' a cappella' on a stage like this, but what a treat—not only to hear, but to see from a backstage perspective that really did make this feel like the film scene in real life. The voice control, starting with the ' a cappella' and during the soft piano intro, was flawless—just the right amount of breathiness and richness on the low notes. The skip in verse and early ramp-up took many by surprise, ratcheting up the intensity way sooner than usual. The audience close-ups provide a wonderful sense of what was being felt by everyone at the time. It was such a magnificent setting, as if the film scene was actually happening on an even grander stage. I can't say enough about the massive stage setting with the orchestra and effects—it was majestic. The glistening perspiration under the lights only amplified the sense of scale and accomplishment in this extraordinary live performance. The runs and nuances from before were still there, but intensified. The drumbeats paused for " Towers of gold..." then burst forth as usual, but this time with the drummer silhouetted against the stage backdrop. Then we came to the part no one ever imagined—a sustained "...enough" with a powerful chest-driven E5, then modulated up to the original Ab major and leaped straight to an F5 on "...for me" in high-belt / chest-dominant mix, complete with a quick downward run at the end. The second " ...for me" returned to F5, then pushed higher to Gb5, and was followed by three sustained "enough"s at Gb5, the second one containing a short run with a cry, the last one being the most emphatic...each in 'chest-dominant' mixed voice with resonance, power, and fullness few are capable of delivering, let alone controlling and shaping. She finished with a seamless upward slide to a reinforced-head voice A5. Simon's comment, "...spectacular," may have vastly understated it. The incredible power and resonance of the F5 "me" might qualify it as the peak 'impact' note, but the slide up to A5 at the end was the actual peak, retaining more rich and powerful resonance than usual with a reinforced head voice, showing her elite-level control. This had to feel special to her, but a different kind of special when compared to the live PBS debut or the BGT audition. It was a moment fully hers, even with Simon's mentoring, and it was a solid reinforcement of having now reclaimed her song, leaving no doubt in anyone's mind as to who it rightfully belonged to.

"...a masterclass!"

Emotions Prevail

The BGT journey was followed by a debut at London's intimate Omeara Theater, a festival appearance in Poland, guest appearances with Andrea Bocelli's UK/Ireland tour, and some studio work with Disney's "World of Color". Loren then settled into focusing on her own production and upcoming releases. In December 2022, she released "Aren't You Tired"- click here to listen. I first thought the lyrics were metaphorical, referring to herself, but I was soon corrected when she indicated it was about a past relationship. However, given her ability to nuance a song with multi-layered inferences, I wouldn't be surprised to find a bit of both present. It's a beautiful and revealing song, with such a clever blend of beats, repeats, steps, repeats, then leaps. If you sing, then have a go at those opening lines just to see if you can make them sound melodious and song-like.

On January 31, 2023, at Joe's Pub in New York—a time-honored home for musicians and singers to connect intimately with a knowledgeable audience—the night would prove more intimate than Loren would have liked. I've written earlier about people becoming endeared to me when I see them rise above unfairness and struggle. As a heartfelt way of thanking the Joe's Pub audience for allowing her to perform her original music, Loren chose to share a cover of Kacey Musgraves's "Rainbow," a song that is very special to her, and suddenly found herself facing the embarrassing task of trying to rise above herself. Her struggle here is evidence of her journey, and it aligns with the central theme of this story, so watch the entire clip. A sincere nod goes to Haine (Ellen Haines) on keyboard for her compassion shown here.

Tearful Reflection

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Joe's Pub, NYC, Jan 2023 / Loren Allred sings "Rainbow" (by Casey Musgraves)

For this AGT Fantasy 2024 semifinals heading, I'll borrow Simon's comment regarding Loren's performance simply because that's exactly what it was. Loren crafted her rendition of "Over the Rainbow," paying homage to Judy Garland's original and Israel (Izzy) Kamakawiwo'ole's adaptation, while adding her own elements to create her version without sacrificing the song's identity. Composed in 1939 by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Yip Harburg, it is almost impossible to hear "Ratcliff's Dream" from an 1895 Italian opera and not think that its melody and harmony lingered somewhere in Arlen's mind when he composed "Over the Rainbow." Considered one of the greatest songs of all time, and sung by so many artists, the Garland and 'Izzy' versions are atop many lists. Loren has spoken of not 'ruining' the song by trying to make it your own, and the show's brief time window and need for an impactful version made that risk a top concern. She would later produce a special video on the making of her Official Music Video, giving us an inside look at her perfectionist work ethic, humorously seen as a challenge for some of her production associates at times. I grew up watching Judy Garland in "The Wizard of Oz" annually, and when I moved to the islands in 1976, I lived in Izzy's community, Makaha, when his band's first album was released. So I can appreciate Loren's tribute to each, and applaud her masterful achievement of creating her own version—I only wish it could have been longer.

AGT Semifinal

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Loren Allred shines bright with her magical version of "Over the Rainbow"

With clouds of mist at her feet, obscuring the stage, the darkened set with flickering stars in the background, the dark dress with sparkles, and the audience with their waving lights, it appeared she was literally standing on a cloud somewhere far above a rainbow. It provided the soft, delicate opening with everything it needed to create a dream-like atmosphere for this version. Choosing staccato over legato, with subtle tempo changes, seemed to make it all the more personal. With her gestures and expressiveness, you almost feel she's addressing you directly—with song rather than speech. Several things that caught my attention seemed to go unnoticed by many reviewers and reactors, despite their praise. First, there was her ability to move back and forth between open and closed vocal folds, while pushing and pulling back the volume with amazing control—so that it was never too little or too much. Secondly, listen again to the phrase, "that's where you'll find me"—note the short breath that was taken after "where"—at 1:04—then the next breath at 1:23, at the end of "over the rainbow." That's a nineteen-second full phrase in a G5 resonant mix without a breath. With Loren's bridge between Soprano and Mezzo Soprano, she made it sound as if it were all chest-driven by her ability to carry so much chest up into her mixed voice, creating the power and resonance. Listening to a slightly altered cover of Loren's version in the Finals of BGT 2024, sung by the winner, you'll see there were several breaths taken during that vocal phrase compared to Loren's none. This impressive execution rivals a similar moment with Andrea Bocelli during their "Canto Della Terra" duet. Next is another oversight by many that should've been highlighted. During the phrase, "...the dreams that you dream of," there's a slow upward run on "the," followed by a lightning-fast run up to A5 and down again, through four or five notes on "dreams"—but with a vocal flip executed right in the middle! I'm neither a singer nor a vocal coach, but I'm a good enough listener not to overlook something like that. I was glad to see the cameraman catch one audience member who knew exactly what she was hearing. Lastly, the contrast between the soft notes, the powerful sustained slide up to F5, and then the soft ending showed such precise control. In keeping with our main theme, these performances on AGT Fantasy 2024 show the stark contrast to what viewers had seen only two years earlier on Britain's Got Talent, not just in vocals and stage presence, but also in the artist herself.

Sugoi Desu! One For The Ages

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like never before

Loren's breathtaking full version of "Never Enough"

An Artistic Culmination

It's ironic that the world of "Never Enough" listeners, in general, thought they already had the ultimate music video of the song in the form of the actual movie scene. Meanwhile, Loren's followers had waited what seemed an eternity—seven years to be exact—for this highly anticipated Official Music Video of "Never Enough." It was actually released a week before The First Take videos, but I wanted to keep the live performance timeline intact. Filmed at The Mallows Estate on Long Island, the video left me wondering if Loren had visited this site before, as either a guest or a performer, during her time and association with the New York entertainment community. Regardless, it was a beautiful choice for a filming location, and what a great piece of production work. As for Loren's presence, the images speak louder than words. As for the song, it's as if we're treated to what "Never Enough" has come to mean to her personally—perhaps a sense of who she has found within herself and set free. If The First Take appearance was the definitive live studio delivery of "Never Enough," then this polished full studio release surely tops all entries in that category.

"Never Enough" Music Video

Official Music Video, Mar 22, 2024 / "Never Enough" Loren's Version

It's difficult for me to imagine not being impressed with the artistry and production quality of this video. Produced by Loren, a self-professed perfectionist, I can only imagine the number of takes and the amount of editing involved. It's a stunning piece of work and an emphatic stamp on her claim to this song for the rest of time. Her physical presence is featured in both ultra-adorned and bare-essence forms—each serving to make a statement—each seen in a magnificent setting accompanied by the grace and elegance of the dancers.

The change in orchestration is noticeable right from the start, opting for a classic tone that complements her vocals throughout. I'm puzzled again by the number of reviewers who fail to notice the exquisite run early in the song. It's apropos that it's on the word "echo"—at 0:42 seconds—making the word literally come to life. Covering four or more notes, all of them seamless, the real nuance lies in how she pulls back the volume as the run descends the scale—a difficult task that she executes perfectly and, despite its subtlety, makes it stand out. Next is the run she always does on the tour de force third belt of "for me," but this may be the best one ever. The styling flows beautifully and blends perfectly with the orchestration, the imagery, and the story being told. She stays in B major throughout the song, and the resonance at the apex "for me"—at Bb5—hits with such force because of her chest-driven mix. She sustains the emotional impact till the end, and the orchestration remains at just the right level to allow it, before handing it off to her for the vocal-only ending. Even when comparing studio productions only, I come back to the amazing contrast, visibly and audibly, from those that were produced just before the audition in London, as is the case in the live performances ... all within the span of two years. It rivals any transformation I've witnessed across any genre and has gained the attention of the industry far and wide, as seen in this next chapter.

A Blend of Cultures

Global Artist

Salim Sulaiman Music, 900 "Rupiya"/"Never Let you Go"

Salim and Suliaman Merchant, as part of Project Bhoomi 2024, collaborated with Loren to produce this unique song as a bridge between eastern and western cultures—specifically, western pop and Rajasthani folk music. This video is so cool, and the Merchant brothers are dressed to the nines. As much as Loren's full, high chest notes add, it's the rich tone and resonance of her lower notes that are so compatible with this arrangement. As for her presence, she commands the viewers' focused attention from the moment she turns around. Between the outfit, the luxurious adornments, and her physical presence, it's impossible to take your eyes off of each movement—nor miss a single word—another clear example of the transformation that has taken place over the past two years. I'm confident that the success her growth has created thus far will continue, along with her global presence. You only need to look at the comments and reactions across time to get a sense of how many hearts around the world she has touched.

*No AI-generated content

If you followed the narrative in Part 1 closely, as if the eyes and ears of the observer were your own, then you have some measure of understanding as to how the journeys of the author and main character became connected. Likewise, if you recognized the inflection points that occurred in Part 3 and the new paths that were set upon, then you likely saw how the pandemic redirected those tangents and created an alternate path for each. But what you may not have seen clearly was the curious similarity of those altered paths, each seen in a different light but filtered through the same screen. Neither artist nor observer could have forseen the changes that lie ahead ... significant changes that we'll visit and observe together.

Loren joins legendary Peabo Bryson for a timeless duet of "A Whole New World"

America's Got Talent-Fantasy League, Jan 1, 2024 / Loren Allred - "Never Enough"

Stunned Reaction

Reaction Video, Loren's AGT Fantasy audition

React to The World / Loren Allred - "Never Enough"

Conclusion

We've seen a truly amazing transformation, yet in many ways, Loren’s story is just getting underway, and I'm far too invested as both observer and observationist to abandon a story still unfolding. So, despite the conclusion of the initial series, a "continued" page has been created to chronicle important moments in Loren's continuing journey.

Most appreciatively,

I'll close by reminding everyone that this story has been, and will continue to be, just one person's observations, thoughts, and comments—those belonging to others may understandably differ. I hope you've enjoyed this series as much as I've enjoyed presenting it. I also hope that I was able to present it in the befitting manner that it rightfully deserved. If you have dreams or aspirations of your own, I hope you found some measure of inspiration along the way. One takeaway for everyone—Never cast aside or treat lightly small opportunities, thinking they don't matter. The least glamorous task, fully embraced and well-tended, may generate an unfathomable outcome—it was certainly the case in this story. Thank you for joining me on this journey—I hope you'll return for updates on the "continued" page. Watch for more inspiring stories in the future.

Loren Allred steps forward to claim her song, "Never Enough," and give it a face and name to remember

Back to Part 3

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Andrea Bocelli-Loren Allred / Madison Square Garden, Dec 16, 2021 / "Canto Della Terra"

Britain's Got Talent, Semifinal, June 2, 2022, Loren Allred-"You Say" .

Loren Allred unleashes her range in this stunning emotional debut of an original song in the BGT Finals

Loren's genuine authenticity captures hearts with this emotion-packed live performance

Loren Allred - April 2023 / Official Music Video -"I Hear Your Voice"

Loren steps forward as an independent artist with this quality video about the memory of a lost loved one

David Foster & Friends /-Bangkok / Courtesy of PatchiePat/YouTube

Loren Allred blends East/West Culture & Music / Bhoomi 2024

Loren beautifully conveys what "Never Enough" has meant to her.

The First Take, Apr 2024, Loren Allred / "Never Enough"

America's Got Talent, Feb 4, 2024 / Loren Allred -"Over the Rainbow"

Stepping Forward to Claim Her Song

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On the subject of bravery, there were acknowledgements by judges, attendees, and two prominent UK podcasters regarding the courage it took to walk onto that London Palladium stage in 2022 and face a lifelong fear. I wonder how many grasped the courage needed to stand on AGT: Fantasy League's stage almost two years later, with a TV and streaming audience of 6.8 million, and risk so much to break through that "glass ceiling" in the U.S.? I'm referring to once again facing judges, a massive TV audience, and an even grander stage, but more importantly, choosing to test the limits of her range in the process. Owning a documented repeatable and controllable range of C3 to B5—just a half step shy of high C, Loren's performance of "Never Enough" on AGT Fantasy League gave us the incredible key change at a moment no one expected, and delivered a series of powerfully sustained Gb5 belts, followed by that precisely controlled slide from a sustained Eb4 to a sustained A5 peak with the power and resonance of a reinforced head voice. The adrenaline rush of a live performance can help push you to those levels, but think of the risks, all the things that could have gone wrong. Her courage redefined the song and spoke volumes about the drive to forge ahead, now that the barrier of fear was overcome. On that night, she truly did break through that ceiling she had spoken of, and it had to be a proud moment. Moreover, she demonstrated that it's not just about hitting or sustaining high notes or low notes. Rather, it's about bringing together all the dynamics and available tools to tell a story, not just sing a song, making it all about yourself. Her songwriting will continue to further that goal, and I'll be very surprised if live theater and film role offers do not follow at some point, that notion being bolstered by some of the delightful short video posts I've seen. Barring injury or some unforeseen circumstance, her career should continue blossoming for years to come. There's also much to be said regarding the development of her business and production acumen, which almost deserves its own story, and brings to mind other highly successful artists who have become their own complete enterprises. It's been quite the journey, and it looks to have far to go still.

There was a time when I was highly unappreciative of lyrical composition—preferring jazz instrumentals instead. So it's ironic that I now find myself at the other end of the spectrum—perhaps the result of how one's years are lived. In the acclaimed documentary "Amy", we witness a call-in session where Amy Winehouse reacts dismissively to a caller throwing shade toward songwriters who give us their emotional baggage, citing Dido as an example. Can anyone deny that many of the greatest songs ever written were based on emotional suffering or discord? We've followed Loren’s journey along a difficult and winding road. If you possess empathy, then you have felt her sorrow and joy; if you’re insightful, you've sensed the struggles, both internal and external, and understood the outcomes. As an observer yourself, regardless of whether you share my views and opinions, you've surely witnessed the changes, the growth, and the unmistakable transformation that is so evident in the performer we see today.

A young aspiring artist travels thousands of miles from home to pursue her dream and finds it realized much sooner than she imagined. But the world she suddenly found herself in would soon offer proof of how quickly elation can turn to disappointment, and euphoria to utter despair. What sets those who succeed apart is the determination to rise from defeat and chart a new course. Much of what accounts for the story title, "An Awakening To Gift A World," occurs during the pandemic years and shortly after, when realizations were brought to light and given life through songwriting. Those moments of discovery and newfound awareness would prove impactful for Loren on multiple levels and for years to come.

Some viewers—particularly reaction video fans—will skip immediately to this Part. I respect your priorities, but it saddens me that you'll miss all that led to these moments and what they meant to the artist and those who shared the journey. Hopefully, it will inspire reading the entire story.

By Stedáwi

Peabo & Loren

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Aerith's Theme

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Loren Allred | Nobuo Uematsu-Con Tiki | The First Take

Theme song for Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth | Loren Allred

For updates

In December 2023, Loren was a guest performer at The Game Awards in Los Angeles, which featured the official trailer for the upcoming Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, in which she sang the theme song "No Promises to Keep" for its heroine Aerith. Following the early 2024 TV airing of AGT: Fantasy League, Japan's highly rated The First Take had Loren and composer Nobuo Uematsu record a 'live' studio performance of "No Promises To Keep"— no enhanced auto-tuning and only one take. That video, showcasing extraordinary vocal agility and control, is below in blue.

In 2024, I provided a motivational session to a professional athlete client who consistently failed to advance to the later rounds in tournaments. During his final visit with me, he was shown a series of video clips from this story, along with explanations, on the day of his departure for a big international event. As a final stroke, I sent the above video to his phone as he boarded his plane. Upon winning for the first time, he was to be interviewed, and the account of his 2-year journey with me would have segued beautifully into this story, but unfortunately, that plan was dropped, and the site launched with this featured series. I still often show this performance from The First Take and Loren's BGT 2022 audition in a 'one-off' comparison to encourage less motivated, less interested clients to explore and pursue their own potential—and perhaps inspire them to read this story.