Shiane Hawke, a 14-year-old singer from Darwin, NT, stepped out into the The X-Factor Australia stage to face 5,000 people.
She had never performed in front of this many people in her entire life so far. And she was nervous.
During her interview, she said one of her big dreams is to perform in the Emmy’s, wearing a long, glittering gown, with all the people in the audience and on their TV, watching her.
But for someone as shy as Shiane, performing during the Emmy’s is a huge accomplishment for her professional AND personal development.
When she stepped out into the stage, nervous and shaking, Guy Sebastian led his fellow judges, Ronan Keating, Natalie Bassingthwaite, and Mel B, and interviewed her first.
He asked her why she auditioned for The X-Factor Australia.
Shiane replied, “For the experience. [To be] able to have the chance [to do] this.”
Guy asked her if she’s performed in front of an audience and Shiane said she hasn’t performed in front of that many people yet. “I’ve performed in local competitions [and] I scored two touchdowns from Mark Holden.”
“Ah, Mark Holden doesn’t give touchdowns willy-nilly,” Guy remarked.
Mark Holden was a former judge at The X-Factor Australia and Australian Idol. He always yelled “Touchdown!” whenever he came across singers with performances that were really exceptional. Competition singers in the shows he judged looked forward to hearing this phrase.
Guy asked her next what she was going to sing and she said she was performing “Mercy” by Duffy. Ronan and Natalie were hesitant. How could this really shy 14-year-old sing such a unique, versatile song?
The judges didn’t have high hopes but they still wanted to hear her sing.
Well, Shiane blew them away when she sang the first verses of the song. Was this really the shy girl that just stepped onto stage a few seconds ago? Luke Jacobz, the host, eyes grew big and couldn’t believe that was the nervous, shaking girl he talked to a few minutes ago.
Natalie’s jaw dropped and exclaimed, “What the . . .?” Ronan was speechless.
Pretty soon, the judges were dancing and clapping along with Shiane and just cheering for her. And before she knew it, the audience was up on their feet, clapping and dancing along to Shiane’s performance.
When she was done, Shiane got such an unexpected response from the judges.
She got a standing ovation from all of them! Her mom and aunt backstage, with Luke, were so happy and ecstatic for Shiane!
“Listen to that crowd going crazy!” Luke told them.
From a bundle of nerves, Shiane’s heart pumped from so much excitement and good cheers from the crowd.
Do you know what the first thing the judges said when she finished her performance? “Shiane, you’re 14 years old?”
Because yes, that was the performance of someone who should have had years of professional experience! The judges were just speechless.
Even the viewers were taking to Twitter to share their thoughts on Shiane. @carlyg16 said, “This girl is like an angel with an amazing singing voice!” And @littlebirdie87 said, “Shiane, Duffy would be so proud and a little jealous.”
@dylancatsicas cheered for Shiane, “Shiane! Go, girl, sing your lungs out!”
What did the judges have to say?
Watch the video below to check out who gave Shiane her third “Touchdown, baby”!
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