‘You are the reason why I flew here’: Blind singer and pianist Paul Kapeleris leaves judge Nicole Scherzinger in tears as he gets the first golden buzzer of the year after moving performance on Australia’s Got Talent
Blind singer and pianist Paul Kapeleris didn’t leave a dry eye in the house on Australia’s Got Talent Sunday night.
The 22-year-old, who has only five percent vision, had judge Nicole Scherzinger bawling during his moving performance of Andra Day’s Rise Up.
Paul was led on stage by his mother, and explained he suffers from the rare eye disorder Leber congenital amaurosis which has left him blind.
‘You are the reason why I flew here’: Blind singer and pianist Paul Kapeleris left judge Nicole Scherzinger (pictured) in tears as he gets the first golden buzzer of the year on Australia’s Got Talent on Sunday
He both played piano and sang on the song, and received a standing ovation from the judges, Nicole Scherzinger, Shane Jacobson, Lucy Durack and Manu Feildel – and the entire crowd.
Everyone was in tears, including Paul himself who was overcome by the response.
Blubbering, Nicole told him: ‘Paul I am crying my face off right now. You have such a beautiful gift and I am so glad you graced Australia’s Got Talent’.
Moved: The 22-year-old, who has only five percent vision, had judge Nicole Scherzinger bawling during his moving performance of Andra Day’s Rise Up
Blubbering, Nicole told him: ‘Paul I am crying my face off right now. You have such a beautiful gift and I am so glad you graced Australia’s Got Talent’
She added: ‘You are the reason why I flew here. You are reason why I came.’
Manu was also choked up, and said: ‘I have only one word coming out if my mouth and it’s beautiful. Its just pure and beautiful.’
Lucy chimed in: ‘That was magic, that was absolutely why we all came. you sing with such honestly and heart’.
Wow! Judge Lucy Durack stood up, saying: ‘I mean the only thing left really…’ before slamming the Golden Buzzer
The actress then stood up, saying: ‘I mean the only thing left really…’ before slamming the Golden Buzzer.
Paul was stunned as he learned he would be going straight through to the semi finals and as confetti rained down upon him, the singer said: ‘I am so honoured I have been given this opportunity’.
Lucy told him: ‘You gave us a huge gift. You are such an inspiration to all of us here and to me’.
Still so moved, former Pussycat Doll singer Nicole added: ‘That’s the stuff I live for’.
Paul was stunned as he learned he would be going straight through to the semi finals, and the singer said: ‘I am so honoured I have been given this opportunity’
