Shanna Goodhead: X Factor Contestant Soars with Eva Cassidy’s Songbird (Video)
Meet Shanna Goodhead, X Factor contestant on Series 6 Episode 4 who delivered a heartrending, emotional performance of the Eva Cassidy classic Songbird impressing judges with her natural talent on the popular UK reality TV show. The 18-year-old student is from East London where she lives in a council house with her…
Meet Shanna Goodhead, X Factor contestant on Series 6 Episode 4 who delivered a heartrending, emotional performance of the Eva Cassidy classic Songbird impressing judges with her natural talent on the popular UK reality TV show.
The 18-year-old student is from East London where she lives in a council house with her four sisters and her mother. When asked why she was auditioning she told the judges “I just want to win the X Factor.” Backstage, during her interview, she revealed her poignant hope of bettering the lives of her mother and sisters.
She said: ‘I share a room with two of my sisters and my mum also shares a room with another of my little sisters. My singing will help me escape and give them something better, this could be the most important day of my life, I have to fulfill my dream and help me family.’
With heartfelt aspirations beyond success, fame and recognition she then proceeded to sing the Eva Cassidy Songbird song, (made famous by the late jazz and gospel vocalist who has had a resurgence of posthumous recognition) with a fervent intensity, revealing a soulful voice. She cried at the end of her performance.
Judge Dannii Minogue said to her: “When you first came out and you were nervous, it seemed like you were sad. I can see you want this badly, I want you to know how good you are at singing and how much these people love you.”
Echoing the sentiments, judge Louis Walsh said: “You’re only 18. You’ve got an incredible soulful voice. I don’t think you realize how good you’re going to be. You’ve got amazing potential.”
Judge Cheryl Cole, told her, “You have got a really natural raw talent there and to think with a little bit of work what you could be.”
Although Simon Cowell questioned her as to her self-confidence, saying, ‘I’m nervous about your self-belief,’
all judges voted her on to the next round.
As a biography, Shanna Goodhead is 18 years old and a student, living in East London with her mother and four sisters. As noted above, she pictures a singing career for herself as a way to better her family’s lives. A photo of the singer is here.
Watch the Shanna Goodhead X Factor audition video below.
