In this moving audition on Australia’s Got Talent, an insecure teen finds his confidence after performing in front of the supportive audience and judges.
Jayden Appleby is a 17-year-old from Hobart, Tasmania. Before his audition starts, one of the judges asks if he has performed before. “This is actually my first time even singing into a mic, really,” he responds.
The audience and judges are shocked after he says this but are excited to hear him perform. He says that he will be singing ‘All I Want’ by Kodaline.
“When you said your last goodbye
I died a little bit inside
I lay in tears in bed all night
Alone without you by my side
But If you loved me
Why did you leave me
Take my body, take my body
All I want is, and all I need is
To find somebody, I'll find somebody like you”
One of the judges asks Jayden why he chose that song to audition with. “I just feel that some of the lyrics really hit home,” he shares. “I can relate to them a lot in what’s happened in my life.”
He then goes on to explain some of the challenges that he has faced growing up.
“Singing for me really was an escape,” Jayden says. “Growing up, I sort of had it a bit rough, here and there, with my mom and dad in and out, and myself, in and out of home… I don’t really have my mom around as much as I’d like, or the relationship that I’d like to have… I feel like I’ve sort of been battling things by myself, and when I sing, I’m trying to stop feeling alone. It’s like the endorphins releasing, the anger and the sadness can just be let out.”
His aunt was able to be there for him as support during his Australian’s Got Talent audition. “He’s so talented,” she explains. “He just needs to believe in himself. And this is a great opportunity for him to actually put his heart and soul into something.”
During his powerful and emotional performance, the judges on the show were tearing up while listening to his beautiful and unique voice. After he finished singing, Jayden received a standing ovation from the crowd!
“Jayden, some people sing songs at people, and some people, like you, make people feel songs,” explains one judge after Jayden’s audition. “You know there’s a huge difference, don’t you?”
“Yeah, and that’s what music has been for me, and why I love it,” shares Jayden. “Because it’s brought me out of those dark places. And look where I am now!”
May Jayden’s musical talents continue to bring joy to himself as well as others!
