When we all watch talent shows like The X Factor, cuddled up in our homes in front of the television, it’s easy to assume that performing on stage for the nation wouldn’t be too hard. Of course, nerves would be there, but how hard could it be, right? In today’s article, we look at a contestant who shows that stagefright is a very real thing, and how he warmed the hearts of the nation in an instant.
Christopher Maloney, a 34-year-old customer service advisor from Liverpool, had never participated in anything like The X Factor up until this point. It took him five years just to build up the courage to attend. When he showed up on stage, he was a shaking bundle of nerves, but his smile and honesty showed his loving character, which warmed him up to the crowd and vice versa.
Christopher Maloney’s audition – Bette Midler’s The Rose – The X Factor UK 2012
Before his performance, he revealed that he didn’t realize just how big the crowd was going to be. He knew that the crowd would bring nerves, but he filled out and then promptly ripped up the application form several times before ultimately committing to the audition, which shows both his nerves and how much he cared about performing. Despite this, his family helped him build up the courage to attend.
His biggest supporter is his grandmother, who he moved in with to support after her partner – Christopher’s grandfather – passed away, which shows how dedicated he is to his family. So much so that he dedicated his audition to his late grandfather by performing The Rose by Bette Midler, which was played at his funeral as a celebration of his life.
