By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
It is a pleasure to welcome singer Jack Vidgen to Jake’s Take.
In 2011, 14-years-old Jack Vidgen became an instant international household name after he sang an astonishing cover of Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” on Australia’s Got Talent. He earned a standing ovation from the series’ judges, Brian McFadden (who kissed him on the cheek), Danni Minogue, and Kyle Sandilands, who boldly predicted that Jack could win the show.
By the end of the series, Kyle’s prediction came true as the Australian public voted Jack to win Australia’s Got Talent. After the show, he signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia and released two studio albums: 2011’s Yes I Am and 2012’s Inspire. In 2014, Jack decided to stop performing. Five years later, Jack returned to Australian television when he auditioned for The Voice Australia’s eighth season.
His robust cover of Adele’s “Hello” caught the attention of all four coaches (Boy George, Delta Goodrem, Guy Sebastian, and Kelly Rowland). Once Jack picked Guy to be his coach, he delivered phenomenal performances that included Andra Day’s “Rise Up,” Zayn and Sia’s “Dusk Til Dawn,” and Calum Scott and Leona Lewis’ “You Are The Reason.”
After making it to the semifinals, Jack Vidgen’s next chapter took him to America and back to the Got Talent franchise. Producers invited him to compete on the second season of America’s Got Talent: The Champions. Jack will face 39 of the franchise’s top acts and hear feedback from judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, and Alesha Dixon.
In this edition of A Conversation, Jack Vidgen talked about his time on The Voice Australia and revealed why he decided to compete on America’s Got Talent: The Champions’ sophomore season.
Jacob Elyachar: How did you grow as a performer since you auditioned for Australia’s Got Talent?
Jack Vidgen: It has been over eight years since I was on Australia’s Got Talent. I have been able to learn what it means to be an artist and work on my craft (in and out of the public eye). When I was on Australia’s Got Talent, I just stood there and sung what I had learned. It was mostly about ability. I have learned that ability means nothing without emotion, so it’s been a great journey so far, bringing those two elements together.
Jacob Elyachar: What were some of the challenges that you faced throughout your career? How did you overcome those obstacles?
Jack Vidgen: I fell out of love with singing and performing for quite a while, and it took a good five years for me to want to get back onto a stage again. Other artists, performers, and mentors have helped me get my passion back.
Jacob Elyachar: Last year, you auditioned for The Voice Australia and got the attention of all four coaches (Delta Goodrem, Boy George, Guy Sebastian, and Kelly Rowland). Your performance of Adele’s “Hello” gave me chills and astonished both the coaches and the studio audience. What did that reaction and the coaches’ feedback meant to you?
Jack Vidgen: Before going on The Voice Australia and stepping back on stage, I did not even know if I could sing anymore. I did not have much confidence, and it was such a beautifully affirming moment for me.
Jacob Elyachar: What were some of the lessons that you learned from your time on The Voice Australia that incorporated into your America’s Got Talent: The Champions performance?
Jack Vidgen: Just enjoying the process was a big one for me. I felt at peace throughout the whole journey on The Voice Australia, and I wanted for AGT Champions to feel the same.
Jacob Elyachar: What were the factors that made you decide to compete on America’s Got Talent: The Champions’ second season?
Jack Vidgen: Participating was a no brainer for me. AGT Champions is such a huge platform and is my first time performing on American TV, so getting to share my voice in such a great way was excellent.
Jacob Elyachar: If you had the opportunity to meet with performers who want to audition for the Got Talent franchise, what advice would you share with them?
Jack Vidgen: I would say making sure whatever your talent is your auditioning with is authentic and genuine to you is a big thing. Feeling and making sure you are ready for something so big is also something I would say. Most of all, enjoy it because it’s amazing.
You can connect with Jack Vidgen on social media. Visit his Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube channels.
[…] Got Talent winner Jack Vidgen made his American television debut. He revealed some of his greatest challenges to the show, […]