‘X-Factor UK’ contestant Christopher Maloney sings Bette Midler’s ‘The Rose’
Get ready for goose bumps!
After tearing up his application for UK's "The X Factor" numerous times, customer service advisor Christopher Maloney finally made it to the competition show and blew the audience and judges away with his rendition of Bette Midler's "The Rose."
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(Skip to the 2:50 minute mark for the performance.)
"I didn't realize how big the crowd was going to be, " Maloney said. "It's [taken] me five years to build up the courage to apply. I've downloaded the application form, filled it out, put it in an envelope and ripped it up every year."
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He also said, "I've always wanted to sing but people have discouraged me and said that [I] wasn't good enough. It really knocked my confidence and discouraged me from applying and in my head I think that I am not good enough so that's what stopped me from doing it."
After his grandfather passed away, Maloney moved in with his grandmother to take care of her and as he says, she's always been the only person who has believed in his singing.
Explaining why he chose "The Rose" for his audition piece, he said, "The song was played at my granddad's funeral and that meant a lot to me," before beginning his performance. "It was a celebration of his life and this means a lot to me so that's why I feel like I want to sing it today for you."
When he first stepped out onto "The X Factor" stage, the 34-year-old was shaking and teary eyed.
However, as he began to perform his rendition of Midler's classic track, there was a glimmering flicker of confidence in his presence and by the end of the song, the audience and the judging panel were on their feet giving him a standing ovation.
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After receiving a "Yes" from all four judges, Maloney hugged his grandmother and said, "I'm absolutely amazed, I didn't expect that reaction at all."
