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[0:00] Robert Bannon: Are you ready? It's The Roundtable with me, Robert Bannon. Welcome to The Roundtable everybody.

[0:10] Robert Bannon: My name is Robert Bannon. You're listening to us on Broadway World over here on the Broadway Podcast Network, iHeart, Spotify, wherever artists talk about art. My husband is like a really big fan of a lot of great singers, okay? So we were listening to Spotify and we were listening to a lot of people our next guest sings with. We were listening to Catherine McPhee and Lauren Albright and all these people and then all of a sudden a couple years ago, a year or two ago, a year ago, this version of "Tomorrow" comes on that he has become obsessed with and has become obsessed with our next singer. We have been listening to her, we're waiting for her brand new album, and she is hitting the road and coming to New York and part of the United States before a PBS special and a tour next year with a brand new album. Welcome, Miss Sydnie Christmas. Welcome to the show. Hello.

[0:51] Sydnie Christmas: Hi. I hear you every day in the car, Sydnie. I feel like we're in a throuple.

[1:00] Sydnie Christmas: Yeah, we are. We're in a throuple that's made me die. That's amazing.

[1:06] Robert Bannon: It's you, me and him. Welcome. It's nice to meet you.

[1:13] Sydnie Christmas: Oh, it's lovely to meet you. Congratulations for everything and congratulations for the brand new album, which is on its way to being out. How does it feel and tell us about it?

[1:20] Sydnie Christmas: Oh, it's... I'm terrified, y'all. I am so terrified. I'm not even going to sit here and go, oh, I'm so excited. I am. I'm so excited, but I am terrified. It's like, you know, I've written all these songs and it's like writing your diary and going, here, Wilde, read that willingly. So it's vulnerable, but I'm so... I am excited. I'm really so grateful that I've got the opportunity to even try this. You know, it's just... it's just nuts. I count my lucky stars.

[2:02] Robert Bannon: Well, you are... you're incredibly talented. The two singles from your new upcoming album are beautiful. I was listening this morning to "Run, Run, Run." That "Run" is such a beautiful song. And then "Lean On You," too. Where do these songs... what can you describe the sound that this album is or what are the style of the songs?

[2:18] Sydnie Christmas: Interesting. You know, I feel like this... this album's like a mixtape. There is so much on this that's even... in styles that I've never sung before, you know. And... but when you're making a song, it kind of has a mind of its own. The song does what it wants to do. Even if you try and go, no, this sound isn't right. Let's try and change the style. The song's like, no, I'm... you know, you've got to bring it back to where it... where it came from. So "Run," obviously, very, like, anthem kind of song. It's very motivational, all things like that. And then you've got "Lean On You." That's... it could be a little bit of, like, Olivia Deenish, like, soul reggae, even a little bit of reggae. It goes down that. I was like, Sydney, I didn't know you had it in you. Like, I was...

[3:11] Robert Bannon: Sydnie, do you listen to other styles of music? Do you listen to Olivia? Do you... are you a pop girly? Do you listen to all the little pop music as well?

[3:15] Sydnie Christmas: I love a vocalist. So, yes, I listen to everything. I love it. And you're going to love... if you love a vocalist, then you have to listen to these singles that are out. The album is coming out on October 2nd. So is it done? Are you finished? Did you give it in? Is it set?

[3:32] Sydnie Christmas: It's done. It's done. I've literally got... I've got one. So after we've... after we've done this, I'm going to go and listen to a master, the final master of... I call this song The Problem Child. It's not called The Problem Child, but for me, it's The Problem Child. And I'm just going to be listening to it. And then I hopefully will tick her off. And then that's it. Then she's done, baby. She's done. She's done.

[4:03] Robert Bannon: How do you describe what it's been like for you the past few years? Let me ask you this. When did it start? When did you realize that you could sing and you wanted to do this?

[4:08] Sydnie Christmas: So I've been singing since I was a little girl, back in the Barney days when I used to sit in front of the telly and sing. And the green grass grew all around, all around. And the green grass grew all around. I was obsessed. And then obviously, "Tomorrow" was the first song that I ever sung. And I was obsessed with that. I just wanted to sing. I never thought of anything else. I never done anything else. Not even thinking about future. It was just, I need to sing whatever that looks like, sort of thing, you know. And that's what I've tried to do ever since. And naturally, my mum and dad did not know what to do with me. So they put me in a little theatre school. And naturally, you try and you stay there, you know.

I tried to go for theatre and 10 years of trying and working four jobs is probably not amazing. So I was, the time at BGT, I was working in a gym and retraining to be a personal trainer. So I got, being on BGT, that was, it was like my last sort of, it was the last thing really for me because I was retraining and I was like, this is, this is crazy, this industry. I just, it's not letting me do it. So I was like, fine, I'll work in, I'll sing in bars and restaurants if they'll have me just so I can sing my heart out because that's all I need. Whatever scale it is, I just want to sing. But then what happened on BGT completely blew me west. I could not believe what happened.

[5:47] Robert Bannon: Well, that's because you, when you got it, you got it. And I guess the right timing and the right moment and what a magical moment if you have, I mean, the world has seen it, it's a viral moment, but if you haven't seen it, go, go check it out. Check out the Golden Buzzer moment and then the incredible album that followed. And if you haven't listened to her sing, you know, "My Way" and song, Broadway songs and theater songs and West End songs, the album that she has completed is out. You could stream that and the new singles, and then you can get ready for the new album all ready to go. Cause she's gonna, she sings everybody. So for you, when you were doing theater, you did Starlight Express and you did Greece and you did Lazarus and the David Bowie show and all that. And you were working at a gym. What made you say like, why don't we give it a go? Did you have to pick, did they reach out to you? What happens for you to get on Britain's Got Talent?

[6:34] Sydnie Christmas: So basically I had a friend that worked in the casting that would basically, she would scout. So she would go, her job was to look on the internet, I suppose, and ask people if they would want to apply for Britain's Got Talent. So because she's a friend of mine for four years, she wouldn't leave off. And there was times that I would, I would fill in the application and I would put it forward. But because you have to audition before you get to the audition, right? So I would pull out. I was really frightened. And I was like, if Simon Cowell turns around and says something like you're a pub singer, it will ruin me. So I was frightened. You just don't know what's going to happen. But I think what made me brave to do it in the end was the fact that I was going to stop it anyway.

And I was like, sod it. I'm going to, let's experience this. Even if it's bad, at least I'll laugh about it and go, well, I'll give it a go. Life's for living. But I don't think I would have got that brave if, you know, if I wasn't at my ending point with this career. So yeah, that's what happened there. So after four years, I sent in a couple of videos, went further in the process than I ever did before. I then got the email saying, you've got the audition to be in front of the judges. And I was like, oh, my goodness. Fine. OK, let's do this then. It's in three days. Let's go.

[8:07] Robert Bannon: It's just unbelievable. We had thousands of submissions. I was like, guys, I've got to try and write some as well, you know what I mean? But there was one song on there that I didn't write because I heard it. And obviously, it's hard when people are writing songs for you, because when you're making an album, you're making a product of you, basically. But this song just slipped in and just made sense to go on this album, if that makes sense. It was sort of like it was written as a part of my story, and I didn't even write it. And yeah, so all but one. And I'm so proud that that song that I didn't write has a place on the album, because I think people are going to absolutely love it.

[9:24] Sydnie Christmas: Well, you, Sydnie, you say a lot when you people know you're writing an album, making an album, they send a lot of songs. I've made an album. You know how many songs I got sent? Nothing. You know why? Because I'm not Sydnie Christmas. Babe, stop. You're fantastic. You got any leftover songs around? Yeah. I'll write you songs. I've got so many.

[9:42] Sydnie Christmas: Oh, done. I'm taking you up on that. Let's go. Let's go. You're hitting the road. After you win one, the album came out. You did 101 Dalmatians, which was lauded and incredible. And then you started to make this album, the albums and the tours. Now you're coming to the U.S. You're doing shows here in the U.S. before a PBS. You're singing with David Foster at the Hollywood Bowl. You have a PBS special ready to go. This is a moment. Is it scary? Is it exciting? How do you describe what it's been like for you the past year or so?

[10:15] Sydnie Christmas: I don't even know what to say. You've literally just put my entire CV in about two minutes. It's just crazy. No, it's what dreams are made of. I'm a little bit frightened that someone's going to pinch me. I'm going to wake up in a minute and it's just going to be at the start of BGT, but like the day before the audition or something like the past two years were just a dream. No, it's real. It's real. It's really, really real.

[10:38] Robert Bannon: So tell us about where we're going to. I'm going to give everyone the dates right now. It's coming up like this week, like you're ready to go. Like you have a show to do. Yeah. On the 15th of August, you're going to be in Philadelphia at the City Winery. And then on the 16th, you'll be in New York. And then on the 17th, you'll be at the Center for the Arts in Homer, New York. So you'll be at the Sony Hall. Go to Sony Hall, everybody, right in the middle of Times Square. Go downstairs, see her sing, have a drink, have a moment. It's the perfect date night, perfect night out with your friends. If you're a theater fan, music fan, singing fan, this is the show for you. And then you'll be heading out to New York to Center for the Arts. And then you have a plan to tour again in the U.S. next year.

[11:18] Sydnie Christmas: Yeah, if all goes to plan and people like the PBS show. Yes, absolutely.

[11:24] Robert Bannon: Okay. So what is a live show like? What are we going to see when we go to Sony Hall this week?

[11:30] Sydnie Christmas: Oh my goodness. Are you coming? You know, okay, listen, Sydney, don't be mad. I live in Detroit, Michigan.

[11:37] Robert Bannon: No, what are you doing there for? Because this man forced me to go save me. Come out and get me out of here. This is what happens. You're in love.

[11:44] Sydnie Christmas: I left New York for Detroit because I'm in love. And that's why I'm just home singing the sun will come out.

[11:54] Robert Bannon: Look, if I was in New York, I would be front row center singing, bringing you flowers, throwing my shoe at you in a good way. What? Because I know you're going to blow the house down. But I'm going to see you next year if you come across this United States. And I'll be well, now that I know that you're there, darling, I'll be sure that I beg my people to be like, we must put a day in Detroit.

[12:15] Sydnie Christmas: Thank you. You can always come see in my backyard and I'll feed you. Fantastic. I can't wait. So what people can expect is a night of hopefully pure laughter, for one, right? Because I can't help myself except not take myself seriously. But singing and the intimacy, I love talking to the audience and I love American audiences because they talk back like you're in the middle of a song and they're like, girl, what's going on? They're just brilliant is so funny. But I love that connection and storytelling and just getting to know each other. I want to get to know the audience as much as the audience wants to get to know me. So there'll be questions. It's just going to I'm just going to tell my story and just hopefully share a bit of hope and light that, guys, don't stop believing in yourself because look where it can get you if you don't. You know, I want people to leave and just forget the outside messy world for a second and just come in and have the best time. Be present.

[13:25] Robert Bannon: Yes, we're going to hear your incredible story. We're going to hear some of the songs we know that you've made famous. Some of the original songs. It's going to be a very special night and we've got to follow you on social media and follow you and follow you. If you have Spotify, if you have Apple Music, wherever you listen to music, pre-save the album, listen to the singles and get ready for the album to come out in October. I think the PBS but we don't have a date for the PBS special. It's going to be this fall.

[13:51] Sydnie Christmas: Yeah, it's hopefully going to be around the time of the album drops, which would make sense. So touch wood. OK, oh, I'm ready. And did you film it already?

[13:58] Sydnie Christmas: Thank you. Yes. Filmed it last September in London. It's all filmed, edited, all the nice stuff, visual. So I think it's ready to go. We just got a percent, to be honest. Let's press in. Let's go. Listen, if you've seen some of the greatest voices and talents that, you know, when they do a PBS special and they become superstars, you know, like the Andrea Bocelli's and the Josh Groban's and the Il Divos and the Il Volos and the Il Everything. You better be ready because Sydney, she's already stolen the Internet. She's already viral. She's already a West End superstar. She's already on tour. And when this comes out, this album comes out, it's going to take her to the stratosphere. And we got her here first. Sydney, I hope that next time you put out music, you're so famous and so busy, you don't even remember who I am.

[14:41] Sydnie Christmas: Oh, stop. You are such a beautiful soul. I'm upset that you're not here so I could give you a cuddle in person. I hope we meet. You're just brilliant in everything you do. Sydney, you are. I adore you and I'm so excited for you. And I'm going to be following and sharing and spreading the word and everybody out here is going to. And I want you to break legs, have an incredible couple of shows and I'll see you when you're back in the States.

[15:04] Sydnie Christmas: You're just adorable. And give that lovely man of yours a cuddle and thanks for listening to Tomorrow. He's good. We listened to the whole album and now the end is near. You better be ready for it. And we're going to be getting on. We're going to the time I talk to you again, we'll have all the new songs that you wrote memorized and ready to go.

[15:24] Sydnie Christmas: Oh, I love you guys. I'm sorry I couldn't come on. I'm currently sitting in bed. I wasn't aware it was a film situation, guys.

[15:32] Robert Bannon: Wonderful. She's she's around. She'll be here and go see her live and in person in New York City, Philadelphia and New York State this weekend. You want to see her live done up glam squad face beat down and ready to go. Buy a ticket. Thank you so much for spending time with me. It's an honor. So nice to meet you.

[15:49] Sydnie Christmas: Oh, it's an absolute honor to speak to you. You are amazing. All my love. Always. Congratulations.

[15:56] Sydnie Christmas: Thank you, sweetheart.