Just as we can expect Eurovison to come around every May, we can also expect to see Dubliner Melanie McCabe tryout for the “X Factor” on a seemingly continual basis. Over the weekend British and Irish viewers saw Melanie audition yet again, her 4th time in 6 years. In the past Melanie impressed the judges, making it to the “Judges Houses” stage in 2011 and “Bootcamp” last year, but never enough to get to the live shows. However, this year she blew them away, with Louis Walsh even being reduced to tears. And if the hype is to believed she is a strong contender to win.
But the “X Factor” is not the only singing competition Melanie has links with. In 2012 she was supposed to perform as a backing singer for Jedward in Baku, but was forced to pull out due to a throat infection. She was also the original choice to sing “Kiss Me” in the Irish pre-selection contest, “Eurosong”, in 2013. However, she withdrew in order to focus on her studies and was replaced with Kasey Smith. As we all know, Ryan Dolan won with “Only Love Survives”, while “Kiss Me” finished third (you guys liked the song even less, placing it last in our poll).
In hindsight it looks like Melanie may have been right to avoid Eurovision, especially since her “X Factor” prospects look so strong. I would certainly be more hopeful of seeing her in the final than Chen Aharoni, who competed in the Israeli pre-selection process in 2011. Poor Chen has been relegated to joke act status on the “Xtra Factor”, and based on the judges mixed reactions, his chances of progressing much further look slim.
Melanie is not the only connection between “X Factor” and “Eurosong” either, as it is rumoured that Nicole Scherzinger, is recording a version of Zoe Alexis’ “Fire”.
Padraig Jude contributed this report from Ireland. Follow him on Twitter at @PadraigJude. And while you’re at it, like our Facebook page to stay up-to-date with the latest Eurovision news and gossip.
Photo: ITV
I thought it was Birgit :p