Josh Daniel, a contestant on X Factor, nearly performed a different song for his audition but ended up choosing Labrinth’s “Jealous”—a decision that may go down in history as the moment Simon Cowell was brought to tears.
A Change of Plans
Josh’s close friend, Kerrianne Covell, who made it to the judges’ houses on the ITV series in 2014, revealed that his initial choice was Nathan Sykes’ “Kiss Me Quick.” However, after a conversation with Kerrianne and their mutual friend Liv Quantrill at a dance studio, the decision to perform “Jealous” became clear.
Liv wasn’t convinced by the original song choice and asked, “What other songs do you have in mind?” After some discussion, “Jealous” became the frontrunner. Despite Josh’s concern about sounding too similar to Labrinth, his emotional delivery during a rehearsal—singing while kneeling on the ground—sealed the deal.
Kerrianne recalled saying, “There’s no question—it has to be this song. The way you moved us in that moment proves it’s the right choice.”
Josh made a last-minute call to request a change to his audition song just days before his performance.
A Heartfelt Dedication
When the big moment arrived, Josh dedicated the song to his late friend Tom Woolley, who tragically passed away in 2013 at the age of 18. His deeply emotional rendition struck a chord with everyone in the room.
Simon Cowell, still grieving the loss of his mother, Julie Brett, who had passed away shortly before auditions began, was visibly moved. During the performance, Simon became overwhelmed with emotion, eventually stepping away on a golf cart, leaving fellow judges Nick Grimshaw and Cheryl unsure of how to respond.
Josh’s performance not only highlighted his incredible talent but also created a moment of raw, shared emotion that resonated deeply with the audience and judges alike.
