Aaron J makes 'Ireland's Got Talent'
Navan-based rapper Aaron J is one of the hopefuls taking to the stage in 'Ireland's Got Talent' on TV3 at 7.30pm on Saturday night.
Aaron J (24) is a Galway-native rapper and songwriter who didn’t have the best start in life, as his mum was drug-dependent and he grew up homeless.
“Me and my mother...we would sleep in parks and at the back of shopping centres, wherever there was a bit of warmth really,” he says.
He talks candidly about his depression and anxiety and performs an original song called ‘Show Pain’ which he said saved his life. The inspiring and emotional lyrics, and indeed Aaron’s personal struggle, strikes a chord with judge Michelle Visage, who explains she has a child with depression. Will his talent and determination to succeed see Aaron progress on Saturday night?
Saturday night also sees the first animal acts of the series. Kevin Lawlor (39) is an electrician from Blanchardstown and he has come to Ireland’s biggest variety stage with his best friend Escobar the parrot. Escobar can sing the Fields of Athenry.
Amy Flanagan (15) and Izzy are from Cork. Amy has been training Izzy the Beagle since she got her four years ago, but its Izzy’s first time in front of an audience.
Martin McGuinness (51) is a farmer from Donegal. Originally from Belfast he fancies himself as a bit of a singer.
Double Impact consists of Syesha Byrne Murphy (9) and Kyle Hawe (12) both of which are huge Louis fans! These two flexible cotemporary dancers are from Tallaght and are just as entertaining off the dance floor as they are on it.
Michelle Grimes (22) from Limerick has plenty of experience performing in front of crowds having sung as part of Office Girls in front of 20,000 people for Pride in Trafalger Square. Office Girls came about after Michelle answered an ad for a girl band in the UK, she spent a year touring the UK and the band auditioned for Xfactor getting to Bootcamp, she is hoping Louis will remember her and put her through.
Viva Dance are a ballroom dance group from Dublin, expect some lovely latin moves from this 13-piece dance troupe.
Airborne Dance Crew from Dublin and are aged between 12 and 17 years old. These ‘street dance’ boys spend all their time training and it shows.
Trinitones are Trinity College acapella choir boys, with a twist. Ranging in age from 19 to 29 and coming from all over Ireland and abroad including Sligo, Waterford, Wicklow as well as Dublin, Louth, New York and Nigeria, these singers have a very special sound.
Tommy Barker (49) is a puppeteer from Galway, he makes all his own puppets and also teaches puppetry. His kids are his biggest fans and his daughter encouraged him to enter the show.