Birdy gained widespread recognition and launched her career after winning the UK talent contest Open Mic UK in 2008.
At just 12 years old, Birdy, whose real name is Jasmine van den Bogaerde, distinguished herself by competing against 10,000 other aspiring artists. Her victory was significant, as she secured both the under-18s category title and the overall Grand Prize of the competition, which is a spin-off of the Live and Unsigned contest. During the final, she performed her original song titled "So Be Free" in front of a live audience of 2,000 people. This pivotal win provided the platform she needed to embark on her successful musical journey, leading to her signing with a record label and the release of her debut album.
The path to her initial fame can be summarized as follows:
- Year: 2008
- Age: 12 years old
- Competition: Open Mic UK (a spin-off of Live and Unsigned)
- Achievements:
- Winner of the under-18s category
- Winner of the Grand Prize
- Competitors: Out of 10,000 contestants
- Key Performance: Performed her own song, "So Be Free", to an audience of 2,000.
