20-year-old Grace Davies left Nicole Scherzinger in tears on The X Factor 2017 tonight.
It was the opening round of auditions on ITV this evening and contestants this year are being encouraged to sing original material.
One of those who has came with their own song was Grace who told Dermot O’Leary she’s “ready-ish” for her audition.
Grace, who currently packs CDs for a living, has been gigging since 16 every weekend.
“The one thing I love to do in life is perform and I think that’s where I’m happiest. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do,” she said.
Speaking before her audition, Grace told cameras: “I think everyone thinks popstars are supposed to be very glamourous, especially the girls.
“I’d rather be in some trainers and baggy trousers and feel comfortable on stage.”
In the audition room, Grace performed an original song called Roots.
She said it was about her days singing in pubs and clubs, hoping to launch her music career.
The performance impacted Nicole Scherzinger, who was left emotional.
Speaking at the launch of this year’s X Factor, Nicole said of Grace: “There’s a girl called Grace who is very unassuming. She comes out a little bubbly, flighty and you don’t really know what to expect. Then when she sings her original songs Pandora’s Box opens up to her soul and it’s clear.
“You see straight into her, you connect with that and you immediately associate the song to your own life and things going on, things you’ve experienced. That’s what music is about, she has a true gift for song writing.
“She’s very stripped back and honest when she performs her songs. She makes me cry like a baby every time that she performs.”
And Nicole wasn’t Graces only fan.
With four yeses, the 20-year-old sailed through to the bootcamp stages of this year’s competition.
The X Factor 2017 auditions air Saturday and Sunday nights on ITV.
The next episode airs on Sunday, September 3 at 8PM.