Xquisite dance their way to final
By William O'Connor
THERE were tears of joy on Thursday night for dance group Xquisite who qualified for a place in the final of Ireland's Got Talent at The Helix.
The Tallaght group had the audience on their feet with another brilliant performance full of energy and fancy footwork.
The talented Latin and ballroom group got a standing ovation from the judges following their act, with Louis Walsh saying, "You put a smile on everyone's face tonight. It was brilliant."
Judge Denise Van Outen, who pressed the golden buzzer in the previous show, said: “Didn’t I make the right choice pressing the golden buzzer? Your lines were fantastic, five little partnerships, you can be my five a day. Everyone will fall in love with you after tonight.”
Jason Byrne added, “You worked so hard on that, it was perfect, ‘yis’ were absolutely deadly well done.”
Michelle Visage added, “You kept true to who you are.”
Xquisite Dance group
There was plenty of tears on stage, with Xquisite Dance member Kyle from Tallaght saying: “We worked so hard and we hope we did Denise proud, it was so amazing.”
There was disappointment for Tallaght’s Philip Murphy, aka Mr Reggae, and Evelyn Williams, while Affia Ni Fhaolain exited the contest following a fine performance.
Philip Murphy, aka Mr Reggae
Evelyn sang a Dusty Springfield favourite ‘You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me’ with plenty of heart to the delight of the audience and judges.
“It’s been breath taking,” said Evelyn after the show.
“I gave it my all and sang my heart out. To get to this stage is a miracle and I’m really loving it,” she said.
The judges were certainly full of praise for the Tallaght lady.
“You are so elegant, you are so lovely and a beautiful amazing person,” said Jason Byrne.
“It proves it’s not too late to do what you are doing. You are a character, you have personality, charm,” said Louis Walsh.
Michelle said, “You look so beautiful tonight, you chose Dusty’s most famous song and you sang with passion, I felt it.”
Evelyn Williams sang Dusty Springfield’s ‘You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me’
An emotional Affia Ni Fhaolain, from Rathcoole, has a unique husky tone to her voice and performed like a singer beyond her years.
She took on a song by the legendary Amy Winehouse ‘Back to Black’.
Michelle said, “You did very well, Amy Winehouse is one my favourite artists and I get upset when people perform this song because they don’t know what this song was about you 100 % knew what this song was about”.
Jason commented, “Your voice is so unique, it’s amazing. I would listen to you forever.”
Denise added, “You should be proud of yourself, you gave a great performance. I love your voice, I think when you push a little you go pitchy.”
Louis concluded with, “You did a great job, you have great musicality, you have to get rid of the nerves, you are a talented young Irish girl.”
Affia was very emotional at the end of her performance and took the opportunity to thank “everyone for her support”.
Affia Ni Fhaolain
Philip Murphy, the 72-year-old reggae singer from Tallaght performed ‘Looking in Your Big Brown Eyes’.
There was a little issue with his timing and the track was started again but that didn’t stop Denise and Jason getting up off their seats and dancing to the performance.
Jason said, “Philly it was deadly, it was rapid, I loved it.”
Denise said, “You had me up dancing, not sure it was as strong as your first audition”.
Louis said, “Philip I love reggae music, you are 72 and you’re having a great time.”
Michelle added, “You’re 72 up on stage living your best life what is not to love about you.”
The finalists will be battling it out on Saturday night for the €50,000 prize along with starring in their own TV Show.
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