Emeli Sandé Performs at London Olympics Opening Ceremony

The UK singer was the only female vocalist to hit the stage.

Posted: 07/30/2012 11:47 AM EDT

Scottish soul child Emeli Sandé made a surprise appearance at the London Olympics opening ceremony on Friday (July 27). Singing the hymn “Abide With Me,” the 25-year-old was the only fresh-faced female star to come out and grace the famous athletic stage in the United Kingdom in song. 


“I am extremely proud and humbled to be part of the amazing ceremony, which will allow the world to see some of the best up-and-coming and established talent the U.K. has produced,” Sandé stated.


The ceremony’s director, Danny Boyle, handpicked the songstress to take part in the ceremony. Not surprising, since her number-one U.K. album, Our Version of Events, has made her a national favorite, and her popularity has since grown in the United States as well. The global exposure from the singer-songwriter's Olympics performance will only help her profile. 


“I will never, ever forget tonight, thank you so much to Danny Boyle and all his team for this incredible experience,” she tweeted after the event.


After it ended, Isles of Wonder, a soundtrack featuring Sandé and the rest of the opening ceremony performers, went on sale as a download. It has topped the iTunes album chart in Britain, France, Belgium and Spain, while also reaching number five in the United States.


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 (Photo: CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/GettyImages)

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