Rising Star: Nicholas McDonald’s emotional journey on The X Factor At just 16 years old, Nicholas McDonald from Bellshill, Scotland, was on the verge of launching a successful career as an independent musician, although he had no idea it at the time. When he took the stage on The X Factor in 2013, his nerves were obvious, but he put his heart and soul into his performance.
Nicholas was not alone on this journey; His whole family proudly stood on the sidelines with tears in their eyes and watched him sing, making his speech a deeply emotional moment.
This wasn’t Nicholas’ first encounter with the judges. He had previously auditioned with Secret Garden’s timeless track “You Raise Me Up” in the same season.
The judges felt he needed more preparation for a competition of The X Factor’s caliber. With extra time to rehearse and a burning desire to impress, Nicholas returned with a rendition of a Christina Perri classic, determined to showcase his undeniable talent.
