Emma and her proud parents.

Virginia’s singing talent could be X Factor bound

Sean McMahon 

A fifteen year-old singing sensation from Virginia has got the thumbs up in Dublin auditions for the new X Factor series, and is awaiting word on whether she can progress to a possible meeting with Simon Cowell.
Emma Hanrahan, who is a student at Virginia College has wowed the judges in her three auditions to date and her third, filmed audtion will be reviewed together with others in the final shake-up for the X-Factor live shows. Emma recently attended the auditions in the National Convention Centre in Dublin on three consecutive days.
Emma is the essence of calmness about her new found fame and being on the brink of a life-changing experience.
At the first audition she sang ‘Wherever you will go’ by Charlene Soraia and sang the same number on the second occasion in front of two judges. They asked her to perform a second song and Emma showcased her singing talent with her version of Miley Cyrus’ ‘Wrecking Ball’.
When she had completed her audition, they asked her to leave the room for a few minutes, and when she was called back in, the judges told her: “They would love to have me”.

Auditions
At the third audition on the following day, one of the producers of X Factor, Mark Sideway, was the judge and on this occasion her performance was recorded and filmed. Emma sang two songs on this occasion, ‘Wrecking Ball’ and ‘Who you Are’.
“He told me he would be in contact in the next four to six weeks,” said Emma.
Emma who attends the Performance Academy in Cavan is currently studying for the Junior Cert thought she would have to wait another year to audition for X Factor, but fortunately they have lowered the age to 14 years.
“After the auditions, I just got back into reality and the books,” said a calm Emma.
She has been attending the Performance Academy in Cavan for the past two years and loves being on stage.
Emma has two sisters Lauren and Jessica and her parents Christine and Clint are very proud of her. Her mother Christine says all Emma has ever wanted to do is sing.

Have a sneak peek at her audition here. We have a star in the making!

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