Second Kiwi slays judges on X Factor Australia

Mahalia Simpson performs Corinne Bailey Rae's Like A Star on The X Factor Australia. Photo/YouTube

Mahalia Simpson has received a standing ovation from all four judges on The X Factor Australia - the second Kiwi to woo the talent show this week.

Simpson, 22, impressed the judges - including James Blunt and Guy Sebastion - so much they were out of their chairs and applauding after her performance of Corinne Bailey Rae's Like A Star.

The X Factor Australia judges give Mahalia Simpson a standing ovation. Photo/YouTube

On Tuesday, footage of Kiwi soul singer Tangaroa Te Tai went viral after he performed Stevie Wonder's Signed, Sealed Delivered while wearing his workboots and hi-vis vest.

The X Factor Australia judges give Mahalia Simpson a standing ovation. Photo/YouTube

He was so impressive, Blunt picked Te Tai to win: "You are the man who will win the Sony record deal," he said.

But it was Simpson, who works as a waitress in her new home of Sydney, who had the judges singing their praises after last night's episode.

At one point during her performance, Sebastion threw his pen in the air and declared: "What a voice."

"Great voice," replied Blunt.

Guy Sebastion throws his pen in the air while watching Mahalia Simpson perform on The X Factor Australia. Photo / YouTube

The Daily Telegraph reported Simpson arrived in Sydney with just a guitar and a bag of clothes to audition for the show.

"I'm kind of the opposite to a hoarder really. Material things don't matter much to me so I just took some basic stuff with me and I didn't have enough money to pay for luggage so I brought my guitar and a few clothes," the Telegraph reported her as saying.

"I've always cared a lot of what people think about me, I'm very sensitive. I came into the competition because I knew it was going to be personal growth for me and I would learn a lot out of it.

- nzherald.co.nz