James Blunt is surprised by Tangaroa Te Tai's audition on X Factor Australia.
James Blunt is surprised by Tangaroa Te Tai's audition on X Factor Australia.
A Kiwi singer still wearing his work boots and safety vest has wowed The X Factor Australia judges with a stunning rendition of Stevie Wonder's Signed, Sealed Delivered.
New Zealand-born miner Tangaroa Te Tai had two of the show's four judges out of their seats and dancing during his audition, despite feeling so nervous he almost fainted.
One judge, UK pop star James Blunt, has already picked Te Tai to win the Australian TV talent quest.
"Big T, I have a prediction for you and I am absolutely serious, you are the man who turned up for his audition in his work clothes and you are the man who will win the Sony record deal," Blunt said after his audition.
The 22-year-old flew straight to the Melbourne audition - his first ever - from Karrutha in West Australia, where he is working in the mining industry.
Walking onto the stage still dressed in his hi-vis vest and boots, Te Tai, aka Big T, was so nervous he almost fainted, he told the Pilbara News newspaper.
"It was a crazy feeling knowing it is your shot to live your dream. I had the dries before. I had a dry throat and everything wasn't feeling right but as soon as I walked through those curtains everything just felt right," he said.
"Knowing that the likes of James Blunt and Chris Isaak are standing up for you, I couldn't believe what I saw through my eyes. That is the type of stuff you dream about. The reaction I got was unreal and I will remember it for the rest of my life."
Te Tai was born and raised in Te Atatu, Auckland, but moved to Perth three years ago to be closer to his father and for work opportunities.
He told The X Factor he worked "twelve hours a day, seven days, so you're always working hard," but despite the long hours he was "loving life".
Te Tai said he sings "all the time" to make his workmates happy because "when you're working ... away from your family, I'd do anything to make people happy."
His workmates don't want to see him back at the mines, he said, because they want him to succeed on the show.
X Factor Australia judges react to Tangaroa Te Tai's audition.
He has a background in singing and used to travel as a teenager, performing with a group promoting the prevention of suicide and domestic violence.
"I hold that stuff pretty close to my heart. If I can change one life it would mean everything," he said.
"I lost two close mates at school. They were 17 and 16. I am here to get a recording contract but at the same time I want to reach out to people and let them know there is somewhere out there for you."
X Factor judge Guy Sebastian said they would need to work on his styling, but Te Tai told the Pilbara News he deliberately chose to wear his work uniform to represent the everyday worker.
