PATRICIA Woodward had stars in her eyes while belting out a Celine Dion classic at yesterday’s Albury auditions for The X Factor.
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The Henty full-time mum was hoping to follow in the footsteps of her brother, Nathan Lamont, who featured on the reality show in 2013 where he made it to the top 24.
“I have performed in many talent quests and wanted to give this a shot,” she said.
“My brother made it onto the show, so I am now hoping it’s my turn.”
Mrs Woodward joined about 50 other hopefuls as they waited patiently among a crowd of 200 inside the Albury Entertainment Centre for their turn in front of the show’s producers.
“I’m really nervous,” Wagga’s Justine Hogan said, just minutes before her audition.
The nurse, who wants to pursue singing as a career, said the reality show was just the ticket.
“This show is something that can further you as a performer,” she said.
Back in the holding room Patrick Martin, of Shepparton, had all eyes and ears on him as he warmed up his vocals.
It was the 17-year-old’s third audition for the show.
“I didn’t get the call last year, but I have been practising and hope to change that around this time,” he said.
He was joined by his two young sisters and mother and father.
Five friends surrounded Lavington’s Michael Austin as he warmed up his vocals.
“I am self-taught, so I have never had a singing lesson in my life,” he said.
“About five years ago my friends and family heard me sing and, with their encouragement, I have been singing ever since.”
Among the youngest to audition was Yackandandah’s Aleah Keats, 16, who went along at the suggestion of her singing teacher.
Executive producer Digby Mitchell said it was great to be back on the Border.
“Albury and the surrounding centres seem to show great enthusiasm for singing,” he said.
“We find great talent in Albury and that’s why we keep coming back.”
Mr Mitchell said he was looking for singers who “stood out from the crowd”.