‘X-Factor Australia’ S5 Ep 1 Premiere Recap: Aussies May Have its Own Justin Bieber in Jai Waetford; More Drama on First Episode [VIDEOS]
The ‘X-Factor’ Down Under kicks off on July 29 and it premiered with a bang as judges made their seats, inviting mixed reactions and more drama on the show, which helped set the tone of what’s up ahead in the Australian version of the reality competition.
Season 5 of the ‘X-Factor ‘ Australia features four-panel judges to make (break) Aussies dreams as they take their shot at the competition. This season has judges Ronan Keating, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Dannii Minogue, and Redfoo to make things happen for hopefuls.
Highlights of the season premiere includes judge Redfoo crying over a song’s lyrics, a group that hopes to be Black Eyed peas one day, a 17-year old representation of a “pop star,” a father of two, and Australia’s second Justin Bieber in Jai Waetford.
Jai Waetford wowed the audience when he opened the show with his own rendition of “Don’t Let Me Go.” Judges were impressed with his performance. The 14-year old has earned the approval early in the competition, as judges claim he is one to watch out for as one strong contender.
Jai’s performance was greeted with screams and plenty of tears among the audience. And they were not alone. Even Judge Redfoo failed to contain tears when he heard Jai’s original song.
Watch VIDEO of Jai's performance here.
"I'm going through something right now in a relationship. And those lyrics made me cry,” Redfoo was quoted as saying by News.Com.au, adding, "I wish I could show this to her now,” in reference to the woman who made him get a little softy on air.
It looks like Jai is at the right place and his original song earned him to be touted as the second Justin Bieber. “Second” Justin Bieber because this is not the first time that a reality competition Down Under has found great talent touted as its own version to be THE pop star next to the Canadian teen. It will be recalled that in 2011, America’s Got Talent has Jack Vidgen to impress the judges and after winning the season he has been enjoying a good place in the music industry. The unassuming Jack first didn’t have the vote of the judges when he came out looking like Justin with his hair parted to the side. But things changed when they heard him sing.
Now back to Australia’s X-Factor.
Next to Jai is 17 year-old Kelebek who impressed the audience with her untapped talents. She can sing, dance and rap. She began explaining her name, “Kelebek,” whose real name is Vanessa. She said that Kelebek is a Turkish word that means “Butterfly.” This is not her first time to audition at The X-Factor Australia. Her talents allowed her to reach to Top 24 last year. She admitted however, that pressure was too much for her back then but she believes she is ready now and wants to give it another go. She got the second chance at the competition at the end of the night with her cover of Flo Rida’s “Good Feeling.”
Watch VIDEO of her performance here.
Then came Tyler Hudson, a father of two. Research made by the show’s staff showed that Tyler has an autistic child and a baby under way as his wife is pregnant for their second child together. He may not have the strong vocals and great performance but he beats the first two with his story. He stayed and is coming back for another chance at stardom.
From the father of two came the two brothers from Sweden who flew Down Under just to audition (and to see their mom, married to an Australian). Judge Ronan thought the brothers "have the X Factor," while judge Dannii believed they've got a lot to offer.
Watch VIDEO of Tyler's performance here.
Judges and the audience were still enjoying what they saw from the Swedish brothers who Dannii noted have "the potential to be global superstars," when then came a group who did Psy impersonation. This did not sit well. They never had the chance.
Watch VIDEO of JTR's performance here.
Fearing that 24-year old K-Pop fan from Brisbane, Dami Im would do another Psy as she came out with cats on her leggings, the judges grew quiet. Until, they heard her sing a rendition of Mariah Carey’s Hero. Dami passed and you will see more of her stockings with cats printed in them next time.
Watch VIDEO of Dami's performance here.
Next to the father of two, Ellie Lovegrove came out on stage touching the judges and the audience with her story. Ellie is an indigenous teen but she pointed out that her origin never stops her from dreaming. She added a note to Aboriginal kids like her that "anything is possible if you put your mind to it." As she continued to share her story, thoughts pop to everyone’s mind what she could offer and if she could walk the talk. X-Factor Australia gave its first standing ovation to Ellie when she sang, “This Girl is On Fire.” We’ll see her again.
Watch VIDEO of Ellie's performance here.
As if the audience was not through with touching stories for the evening, 15-year old Vianca (Veanka) Howard also marked the stage as she began telling the world she came from. Standing before the crowd, she shares her journey living in foster homes all her life. She gave everyone more goose bumps when she continued with more revelations, saying she found her real parents and they are the ones to push her to sing in order to “get the anger out.”
Watch VIDEO of Veanka's performance here.
She has the goods. She has the talents. Vianca is through to the next round and the teen contestant is believed to be the one to watch out for the most as her story is one to help carry her on in the competition.
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