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Andrew Johnston, who finished third in last year's season of ``Britain's Got Talent,'' has just released his first album, ``One Voice,'' in Korea.
/ Courtesy of SonyBMG
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter
Popular television talent shows ``Britain's Got Talent'' and ``American Idol'' have made stars out of unknowns like Paul Potts and Kelly Clarkson. Even contestants who didn't win the contest, like Connie Talbot and Jennifer Hudson, have achieved success.
Andrew Johnston, the 14-year-old Scottish boy who finished third in last year's ``Britain's Got Talent,'' is proving he can make it, too. His first album, ``One Voice,'' debuted at number four on the British album charts last September and has sold over 100,000 copies since.
Johnston first grabbed the public's attention when he auditioned for the show, singing ``Pie Jesu.'' His angelic voice was memorable, but it was his story of being born into poverty and being bullied that touched everyone's hearts.
Johnston may not have won the contest, but his talent did not go unrecognized. Simon Cowell, who was a judge in the talent show, immediately signed him to his record label, Syco Music.
The album received positive reviews. Johnston shines not only in religious songs like ``Make Me a Channel of Your Peace'' but also in pop songs such as Eric Clapton's ``Tears in Heaven'' and John Lennon's ``Imagine.''
In an email interview with The Korea Times, Johnston said he started singing when he was only six years old. He joined the choir at Carlisle Cathedral, where he later became head chorister.
``Actually it was my mom who put me in to the show. One day when I came back from school, I saw an application form with my name on it and Mom told me to do it so I did. I didn't know anything about it so it was such a big surprise for me,'' he said.
Johnston said joining the show was the ``most amazing experience of my life.''
``At first, when I got to Britain's Got Talent, I never knew I could get this far. It was amazing meeting all the acts and just having great fun, especially in the live semi-finals and the finals. Then when we went on tour. We had great fun because we were all together like a family on the tour bus,'' he said.
Johnston was always flattered to receive compliments from Cowell, who is notorious for his frank, acerbic comments towards contestants on the show. ``Simon's a really great guy. It was great singing in front of Simon ― it was just amazing. He's huge, you know, a professional critic, so I really appreciated it when he gives me a great compliment,'' he said.
Despite the media attention, Johnston remains down-to-earth and unaffected by it all. ``I don't see myself as a big celebrity. People ask for pictures and autographs but I don't like being fussed over. I like to be normal,'' he said.
But he admitted one of the biggest thrills was meeting one of his heroes, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. ``I had a chance to perform at his 60th birthday concert at Hyde Park. It was such an amazing experience for me, because (Lloyd Weber) always been my hero, you know, the star of my life,'' he said.
Johnston, who was bullied because of his singing, hopes to be an inspiration to other children who are victims of bullying.
``To anyone being bullied, I just want to give a message: Just go for what you are good at. Go for your dream. Don't ever let them get you down,'' he said.
Johnston is definitely living proof that it works, having already achieved his dream of recording an album despite his young age. ``I hope (the album) does well everywhere, including Korea. I hope it brings happiness and peace and makes everyone happy,'' he said.
cathy@koreatimes.co.kr
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