Beau Dermott. Photo / YouTube
-Kathy McCabe
Hailed as the next Susan Boyle, teen schoolgirl Beau Dermott has had her golden voice insured for almost $1.7 million.
The 13-year-old musical theatre fan, who was discovered on Britain's Got Talent, stunned the show's judges and fans last year with her performance of the Wicked song Defying Gravity.
The show's judge Amanda Holden gave her the golden buzzer straight to the final where she finished fifth.
Broadway superstar Idina Menzel, who was the original performer of the song, is among the teenager's champions.
"OMG! Beau Dermott you gave me chills with your performance of Defying Gravity," she tweeted after checking out Dermott's video, which has reached 25 million views.
When she was booked by the legendary Dame Vera Lynn to perform at her 100th birthday celebration concert at the London Palladium earlier this year, the shy girl with the big voice impressed record label executives in the audience.
Dermott has inked with the famed classical imprint Decca and releases her debut album Brave next month.
"Beau's voice is one in a million and that's why it needs insuring," Decca talent scout Tom Lewis said. "Having such an incredible talent at such a young age is truly remarkable."
The tender talent began singing after becoming addicted to The Sound of Music.
Her love of Julie Andrews' voice steered her towards musicals with her debut album featuring a mix of contemporary pop and soundtrack classics including the song which made Boyle famous, I Dreamed A Dream.
The best-selling artists from the British show, which is screened on Nine in Australia, tend to be those from musical theatre or popera backgrounds including Boyle and Paul Potts.
Boyle has had a troubled life since her success made her one of the biggest artists in the UK and most recently was reported to have been attacked by a gang of youths near her home in Scotland.
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