Hey, we get it. People want to be acknowledged when they do well. It’s just that sometimes, there are certain things that are beyond their control.
This looks like the case for Filipino singer Rhap Salazar when he couldn’t believe that his audition in the talent show The X Factor UK wasn’t aired on television.
The singing champion of ABS-CBN’s Little Big Star vented: “UNFORTUNATELY, MY X FACTOR AUDITION WAS NOT AIRED ON TELEVISION.”
Yup, he wrote that in all caps.
He shared that his audition was filmed in July along with other singers at the SSE Arena, Wembley in London. He sang an acoustic version of Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You.
He said all four judges approved of his performance, including the ever-snarky star-maker Simon Cowell. Aside from that, he humblebragged a bit that he even received a standing ovation.
“I got 4 yesses from all the judges and [a] standing ovation from everyone. Every reaction from the audience was really unexpected and [a] memorable one,” he wrote.
Salazar said he got through the next round, but he got eliminated at the deliberations stage.
“I actually have no idea why they did not air my audition,” he added.
Other Filipinos who auditioned on the show were 17-year-old Maria Laroco who sang a rendition of Prince’s Purple Rain; and transwoman Sephy Francisco who sang Josh Groban’s The Prayer.
Both of their auditions were shown on television.
Since The X Factor UK didn’t show his clip, he decided to show it to his followers by posting it on social media.
— Rhap Salazar (@rhapsalazar) September 24, 2018
Despite his elimination, he remained steadfast and said: “Everything happens for a reason and there’s no reason for me to stop reaching for my dreams and doing what I love that is to sing for the world.”
He also thanked people who supported him. “No time for giving up,” he said.
Salazar’s followers think his performance was dope.
Instagram user @toferpaul wrote: “Congrats, Rhap! That was an amazing performance”
Another follower @jhonattaneff tried to make him feel better. He wrote: “[I]t’s a show. [T]hey do things for ratings. [I]t’s unfortunate but good job anyway”
@the_mikester_90 added: “I’m so sorry that you didn’t make it all the way, but remember they saw star quality in you little bro! Stay fighting for your dreams!!!”
In 2015, Salazar was at the receiving end of netizens’ ire when he criticized non-singers who lip-sync on television. He defended his stance when he told ABS-CBN News that that was his “side as a singer.”
He first gained recognition locally in 2005 when he won the ABS-CBN reality show Little Big Star. He was also featured on the Ellen Degeneres Show in 2009 when he was 12 years old.
