Simona: Week One
Simona sings Over The Rainbow.
Watch Simona
Send us your comment now. We'll publish the best on this page.
Janis
Her voice, what a voice! Strikes a chord which chokes me up! Could be Maria, would need a great deal of work on her accent. there has been Some imrovement while on the show.
Alex
Where is the sound of music set? I would have thought Maria had an accent closer to Simona than perhaps an english character....
jade
SIMONA! U ROCK!
Oana
You are brilliant, why the judges prefer Connie and others to you is a mystery!
lulu
i think simona has a great voice could beat all the others any day GO YOU!!!
Ash
Simona has a wicked accent and a beautiful voice she should be maria, she sang the argentina song wonderfully,its not about looks but about talent, which simona has got GO SIMONA!!!
nb
you would also be good in My fair lady very Audrey
nb
wow you are amazing would love to see you in west side story keep it up we love you
Alyzen from The Bistro Glasgow
What a pleasure to see you perform -i know how much passion, enthusiasm and determination you have to drive you forward and i am sure you will climb every mountain and find your dream -keep on following your rainbow Simona -it will happen.
Mo
A True Superstar - No Contest, this girl is Superb and will entertain us for years :)
Liz
Simone is the most amazing performer I have ever seen on all these TV talent shows.
She is so beautiful but especially when she performs - something else happens she is spell binding. Standing next to Siobhan or Melise she can hold her own but singing....she is way up the ladder to the stars.
Maria was Austrian, Maria was not a Sloane from Lucy Clayton finishing school. Could 300 people detect that her accent is from Romania not Austria? Would anyone care when they watch stunned to see someone with good old fashoined star presence...somthing we rarely see these days......
Emily
You actually are beautiful! i love your accent...i think your accent really suits the part of Maria!
Tom Helios
A fantastic voice, however, perhaps better suited to Evita- with your accent. First Class
Jamie
I love her I think she is totally amazing ! xx Good Luck xx
Rachelle
Unfortunately I feel the same as most - the accent is just too strong. Would not convince me as Maria but she is a brilliant singer.
bb
nothing to do with accents, but simona is not good enough to hold the massive scripted part of maria. she actually over acts and it does not ring true
Ellie
the judges don't seem fussed by having a maria with an irish/cockney/essex etc so why should a romanian accent cause so much of a stir? simona is stunning and has such a gorgeous voice
Nikki
What you have to remember was that Maria was Austrian and had an accent - we are not looking for someone to play Julie Andrews!! Simona gets my vote.
Mak
I can't believe that this is a competition for Maria, and you are thinking Simona is the one best suited. The original script had Maria as Austrian I accept, but then it was changed, do you think it was changed to make it worse? I think not, it was to make it better. And the suggestion she has is naturally Maria is a joke. Don't forget, please don't forget, she has to act as well. When she speaks no the show, it is difficult to understand her, and she is just speaking. She cannot do it!
Julie
Vote for Simona if you want this revival of The Sound of Music to be a disastrous flop. She might be talented but she is totally wrong for the part.
Ryan
Simon-i saw u there singing Over the Rainbow-yo are easily my favourite! You are fabulous-and dont let the judges put you down with their comments about your accent-wot i dont understand is why is Aoifes irish accent not a problem? Surely a romanian maria isnt that far of the origianl! GOOD LUCK SIMONA-YOUR AMAZING!
Cam (age 10)
Simona, i think you're wonderful and there's a show for everyone. You would be great for Maria but much much better for Evita!
Michelle
Simona - you are beautiful, and you have a fabulous voice, but you're not Maria. Your spirit is too strong for that! I do think you would be great in Les Mis, and you would make a wonderful Evita.
Scarlett
Simona is definitely the best of them all. Apparently the original script had Maria as Austrian, so why not be radical and have a Maria with an accent. I love her, she's so striking, nice personality and a beautiful singer - good luck Simona!
Mark
Simona is a stunning talent. I disagree about the accent. I've bought my tickets and would be very happy to see her in the part. Don't give up let the public decide.
Arlene
This girl is fab. She's got a wonderful voice, great looks and real charisma. She sings with such passion.
Even if she doesn't get to be Maria, I so hope someone picks up on her. I can see her starring in her own cabaret or something like that, and there's many parts that she would suit. She has such star quality. This thing with the accent really makes me mad. If I went to see her, I wouldn't bother me in the slightest. It can surely be mostly trained out, anyway. For evidence that it can be done you only have to look at panel member John Barrowman who as a child taught himself "American as a foreign language" because when his family moved to the States he was picked on at school there because of his Scottish accent.
I notice he's not the one who makes a thing of it.
Rachel
Can't they give the accent thing a rest, Simona knows she has an accent and so does everyone else, so what, big deal, they dont have to tell her that every time she sings. She has a pure voice and is enchanting, give the girl a break!
Rona
Simona, I can't understand why your accent is a problem. When you see any film, play etc you have to suspend your disbelief on some level. I have no problem accepting Maria has an accent. You are stunning and I hope you do well. I do not think that was your best performance but at times I have been blown away. Good luck... you deserve to be there.
adam
i think that simona has a great voice but i dont think she is maria!:(
xXx
Rebecca (Age 8)
You are my favourite and have a nice voice. Good luck next week
Rebecca (Age 8)
You are my favourite and have a nice voice. Good luck next week
Zoe
Simona, if this is destined to go past you due to the panel's lack of imagination, then something better will be around the corner. Use the showcase for your talents, and be strong!
James
No! How can she be Maria? She is a pretty girl but no way does she represent an authentic Maria.
Robin
To me Simona is Maria. She is certainly the most striking and demonstrates the talent and determination to succeed especially with the perceived accent problem.
Jessica
Simona would be a GREAT Maria, but i don't think that the judges will let her have the part if they can help it. I think that she would be good as the Baroness instead!!!!!
cha
shes ace, who cares about the accent, we love simona!!!
jenny g
Simona has THE most perfect voice for the roll, her accent doesn't mattter,her singing is WOW.
Peter Owens
I really think you have a wonderful talent, you also look great on camera, if this was Evita you would win hands down, I wish you every success and please remember if this production does not happen for you I believe there will be another opportunity waiting in the wings for you!
Gab
You are the best for me
Emma
What is the problem with Simona's accent??? She was great! I think that if she doesn't win this, she ought to be offered the part of the Baroness instead!
lucy
i know your having trouble but you keep on going well done.
Benjamin
Simona don't let them drag you down. They pick on your accent because aside from that there's nothing to pick on! You're perfect!
Deanne
Simona, you are absolutely amazing. You have such love, passion and truth in you when you are singing. You really hold people spellbound. In my eyes, you have LESS work to do than the rest of them, because you already light up a stage and hold an audience. Plus you have much experience. I go to many shows, and you are the only person I would pay £55 a ticket to see. And I would pay to see you more than once. You outshine the rest of them and are a natural star. I am proud to see someone from Romania, and especially someone as articulate and intelligent as you, doing so well in a UK competition. I think you should be allowed to play the part with the Romanian accent, it makes no difference and the accent is beautiful. I want you to win more than anyone. Please remember that you have lots of support, even from us English ones. I know you will do your best. I can't wait to see you next Saturday. Much love and luck, Deanne xx
Rebeccca Bell (age 6)
I really like her singing she really does well even though she has trouble with her accent so I wish her good luck .
roman and jo, london
you were the only one who held us spell bound. amazing.
Chloe
On saturday i thought Simona was amazing she really shows her emotiions when she sings i think the judges should give her a chance the real maria was austiran it is an accent it is not the end of the world. COME ON SIMONA IM ROUTING FOR YOU!
Sue rainer-copland
Our favourite at this time for the role...She comes across like a maria---startled by what she has to do, commited to becoming a nun yet with the unpolished approach to what it involves -she believable for now!
beth
your accent doesn't matter you have raw talent
Alan
Simona is SO Maria...no problem with her accent, adds authenticity to the role. She has the right look and the right attitude and voice!!!!! GO SIMONA
Grace
Simona is amazing! She keeps everyone spellbound.
Alan Barlow
Simona has a great acting ability and a strong voice but she's not the Maria of my imagination. All those children would drive her daft. BUT please do ask her to sing 'Another suitcase in another hall' from Evita, beause I think she should appear in thar show. I think she is a star in the making and if ALB doesn't see or hear that I'll eat my hat.
Paul
Hi Simone, don’t let them get you down! I think you’re brilliant and are perfect for the part! Your singing is great and your English is superb and is in no way hindered by your accent. Neither Lloyd-Webber nor the panel seem to have grasped the fact that Maria was Austrian and an accent like yours is quite appropriate for the part anyway. Why does the part have to be portrayed in some totally non-descript, mid-Atlantic, ‘Hollywood-ised’, non-accented way as the judges seem to believe?! If Lloyd-Webber is after a different approach to the part then you are definitely the one. I’m with you all the way - keep up the hard work and good luck!!
Melanie Houghton
Saw Simona sing at the BBC tonight, thought she was amazing. Good luck to her!
Good show all round
xxxxx
sarah
i think simona is great i dont think her accent should be a problem as she could get trained to speak with an english accent for when she is on the stage! come on simona you can do it!!!!
Linda
Simona you are great. What's this hang up the panel have with your accent. As others have said Maria was Austrian and had an accent and the whole musical is based in Austria so how do they think the people would have spoken. They have got their comments SO wrong. The public love you and we will make them eat their words. I would pay to come and see you star as Maria anyday. Keep in there. We all think you are great. Your verison of "over the rainbow" was so emotional and showed your sensitive side. Can't wait for next week.
lucy
i think that although simona has an accent she is an amazing singer and that it dosent matter..she is one of the best!
Mike
Simona, - Don't let them bully you into getting rid of your accent. Concentrate on the character and the singing - the judges (and the public) will soon realise that this is what matters, not the accent - after all, Austria is closer to Romania than to England!
Starfinder
I felt that Simona gave one of the best performances of the night, and she deeply deserves her place in next weeks show. For me, the accent isn't a problem, but something which enriched an already excellent performance. Well done: 90%
Byron
Simona is the most passionate performer in the competition. The others might have an English accent, but they were the first to say she should leave. Simona was truly Maria-ish by not putting down any of them. if she doesn't get the part here, she should be given a role in Evita because she's a star.
C. Cullen
Andrew Lloyd Webber is going to have an EXCRUTIATING time making choices between the nine remaining Marias! Judges often say, "Honestly, they were all very good" out of politeness, but ALW was absolutely right in the end - all ten were outstanding! Were his comments about Simona fair, regarding her accent? ...I think it's an asset! The actors who have portrayed James Bond over the decades have done so with very different traits, yet many are interesting. Coupled with her stunningly photogenic facial expressions, her accent would contribute to perhaps the best portrayal of Maria yet!
Marianne
Simona to win!
Terry
What a star in the making!! Beautiful, lovely voice, charisma and charm. I don't think she's Maria but what a wonderful Evita she would be!! Take note Lord Andrew!!
Rik
I love Simona, love accent singing voice and looks, hope hope hope she can work on her accent to make it through, you have my vote...several times.
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