Not every contestant has the power to step on stage and blow away the audience with both style and talent. Only a handful possess the look and feel, and even fewer have star power. Let’s just say that Freddie Mercury’s shoes are really, really, REALLY hard to fill.
Enter on to the stage 29-year-old Julia Ivanova on the Ukrainian version of “X-Factor.” This flaming red-haired woman is decked out in a head to toe bright white leather-looking outfit, complete with black stripes. She’s got fierce cat eye make up, and plump cherry lips, making her look like a cross between a race car driver and rock star and orphan Annie, all rolled into one.
At first, she is received with skepticism. The judge snickers a little bit. The audience whispers amongst themselves. The stakes are high for her, especially with her chosen selection.
The music comes on, she takes a deep breath and – kaboom! From uttering the first few words of the high-octane anthem “The Show Must Go On” made famous by Queen, the judges and audience instantly change their minds. Julia’s voice is a mixture of Cher’s robust and natural-sounding smoky vibrato but incorporates some of Freddie’s vocal attributes and cadence. Ladies and gentlemen, this is not an easy song. In fact, nothing put out by Queen is anything less than challenging. Between Freddie’s voice and Queen’s mega music composition, this track exudes power and glory. Anyone willing to take on this song is a brave soul.
Listen to Julia’s voice for little hints of Christina Aguilera’s range when the X-Factor contestant knocks out the extended high notes way out of the park. She doesn’t crack, she doesn’t misfire, she doesn’t tire out. Julia delivers a standout performance loaded with confidence.
She ends her act dramatically, falling to her knees and raising the microphone stand above her head, bowing in gratitude to the rock God himself.
See her video below to catch the full performance as she easily slides into those really really really big shoes.
