A ‘talented’ Weston teenager is on cloud nine after making it through the first stage of the X Factor auditions.
Fifteen-year-old Kezia Povey wowed the 4,000-strong crowd in London when she performed Calum Scott’s You Are The Reason for Simon Cowell, Robbie Williams, Louis Tomlinson and Ayda Field – and received a yes from all four.
The Priory Community School student said she ‘shocked’ friends when she told them she was auditioning but had a lot of support.
She exclusively told the Mercury: “I wanted to audition for a while but I was always worried about my age, then I just decided to go for it and I succeeded.
“It was really scary waiting to go on stage. I was so nervous and was not sure what I was going to say or what I would do.”
Host Dermot O’Leary left Kezia with some parting words, saying: “Everyone wants you to do well, just go out there and be you.”
She added: “When I got out on stage, they ask the usual questions but also some random ones like what my favourite crisp was and if I had a dog to ease my nerves.”
Kezia had the backing of the crowd as she performed for the judges before Simon stopped the music.
She said: “When Simon stopped my music I was so scared, wondering what I had done wrong.”
The judges praised Kezia’s voice, with Louis calling her voice ‘incredible’ but Robbie felt Kezia would be more comfortable and ‘able to grow’ as part of a girl band.
Kezia’s audition aired as part of the show’s series 15 premiere on Saturday.
She added: “After it aired, a lot of people started following me on social media and I had messages from people I had not spoken to in ages.
“It is just an unbelievable feeling, I just could not believe it actually happened – it really was amazing and I’ve been on cloud nine since.”
Priory principal Jane McBridge said: “Kezia has done tremendously to get this far and we will all be cheering her on.
“She has an amazing singing talent and has appeared in many of our inspiring shows and performances in school.
“I remember hearing Kezia sing at school. This huge voice popped out of nowhere.”
After the auditions finish airing, the judges will make their decisions on who to send through to the Six Chair Challenge ahead of Judges’ Houses and the live shows.
Watch Kezia’s audition at www.westonmercury.co.uk
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