Ireland's Got Talent 'just the beginning' for Linda McLoughlin

The recent stunning performance by Ratoath's Linda McLoughlin in 'Ireland's Got Talent' is expected to be 'just the start' of the talented singers music career.
Mum of two Linda was thrilled by her experience in the TV talent show and says it has given her the confidence to pursue her music career and she hasn't ruled out entering other major TV talent competitions.

"It has been a wonderful experience. I will never forget it and I would love to be able to make my living this way," she says.
"I just couldn't have done it when I was younger, the nerves would have got the better of me. This has been a great opportunity. I got great exposure from it."
She currently gigs with a band called Hustle and hopes to get more bookings on foot of her success in the competition, and is even considering looking for an agent.
Linda was back at work, the Monday after the Grand Finale, at her desk in Fisher Scientific in Ballycoolin, where her colleagues and employers had been very supportive of her bid for stardom.

"They were all shocked at the result - but it was really a foregone conclusion with so many performers in the act, they had huge support," she says. The competition was won by dance troupe, RDC who €50,000 and their very own TV show. 
Linda  had always doubted her ability to perform, despite her immense talent. As a child her mother would insist she sang at family gatherings or parties and in her late teens she did a little bit of Karaoke, but she really never entertained the notion of a singing career.
She is now the mother of two children, Lucy (8) and Max (5) and lives with her partner of 19 years, Joe McCormack in Milltree Park, Ratoath.

"Now that I'm a Mammy I have less inhibitions that I would have when I was younger," she explains.
Linda's first real experience of performing was on the local 'Ratoath's Got Talent' competition a few years ago and after that she decided to join a band called Hustle and his still a member. They perform gigs in Dublin, Meath and across the country.
"Anytime I was watching 'X Factor' or 'The Voice' on television, I used to think to my self, oh I'd love to do that," she says.
When 'Ireland’s Got Talent' was announced she decided "now is the time."
"A friend tagged me on Facebook when she heard about the competition and I entered for the craic. I got a call in December asking me to audition and one week later I was performing in front of the judges."

She sailed through her first audition earning a Golden Buzzer from Louis Walsh, and since then she has grown in confidence and possesses an amazing stage presence. The Golden buzzer sent her right through to the semi finals.
"I didn't take it in at first - it was all just a fuzz. It was completely surreal."

She was interviewed for RTE's Expose and Ireland AM but in general life went back to normal until the week of the semi-finals.
She performed on the Monday night, singing the 'Power of Love' and captivated both the judges and viewing public, easily making her way through to the finals.
"It was amazing arriving for the semi final - we were so well looked after. The programme makers looked after everything.
"They did my hair and make-up and supplied the dress, a lovely long green one with a slit. 
"It was very exciting and lovely to be pampered," she says.
"They were really genuinely nice people. They couldn't do enough for me.".

 

In the final Linda sang ‘This is Me’ from the movie 'The Greatest Showman' backed up by the Dublin Gospel Choir.
Judge, Denise Van Outen said, “The last line of that song…This Is Me ….I feel like we are finally seeing you and what a powerhouse you have become, you have given brilliant performances throughout the show I am so proud of you and you should be proud of yourself”.
Jason Byrne added, “That was like of loads of effort with no effort you were amazing you can belt it out without trying”. Michelle Visage said, “there is no going back to the Linda that you were - this is you”. Louis Walsh said, “I gave you a chance but you delivered, the song was perfect and I loved the staging and the choir but the thing I loved most was you”.
Linda is delighted at the support she received from her family and the community in Ratoath. "Everybody got behind me and we got posters out. My employers kindly gave me time off work and put me on their global Facebook page.
"I was asked to sing at the Ratoath St Patrick's Day Parade,  It was fantastic."

Her band-mates in Hustle are delighted. "It's win, win for them - it will help increase the bookings," she says.
"We will continue gigging and I might try to do some solo work. It is early days yet," she says.
"No matter what happens, I will never forget the experience. It was the best time ever.
"My family are proud of me and I did it for them and for me."