Last year’s X Factor finalists Brothers 3 say Wollongong superstar Cyrus Villanueva has the goods to win the reality talent show.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Villanueva, 19, is widely tipped to take out the title this year, with bookmakers also placing him favourite against the other four competitors.
“He’s got the talent, he’s got the attitude, he’s got the swag,” said 19 year old Shardyn Fahey-Leigh.
He and siblings Markirum, 17, and Tayzin, 18, were signed to Warner Music following their success in 2014 and are currently touring the country playing shows and visiting schools to inspire other budding musicians.
On Friday the trio visited Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts for a candid acoustic session with pupils, and also had advice for Villanueva.
“Stay grounded, and every day’s a lesson really, every show you do you learn something,” said Makirum.
“I’d say don’t lose the wave of success, that’s the hard thing - you’ve got to stay working and working, if you don’t then [your fans will] just be gone,” said Tayzin.
The three farm boys from Mudgee said it’s been a whirlwind since competing on last years series of The X Factor, and were stoked at the opportunities that have come about.
“We used to play gigs to three people, now we can play gigs to 3000 people,” said Makirum. “We played a gig in Adelaide on Australia Day and played to 40,000 people.”
He said everything was falling into place for them, as they were getting to do live the dream with their musical goals being achieved.
Monday night it’s expected to see Villanueva shine again with no theme restrictions for the top 5, able to choose the best song they can find.
If last week’s performance is anything to go by, he won’t have anything to worry about come elimination night on Tuesday. The Dapto dynamite amazed judges and fans with his rendition of the rock classic “Knockin’ on Heavens Door”.
It’s been an exciting journey for the former Kanahooka High School student who only began singing professionally at the beginning of this year, choosing to focus on studies previously. That could all change in the next couple of weeks with Australia clearly backing the versatile voice that can make anything sound good.
WIN TICKETS for you and two mates to be part of The X Factor live audience and cheer on Cyrus. Take a photo of yourself near an Illawarra landmark with #GoTeamCyrus, tag the Illawarra Mercury on Facebook or Instagram to be in the running.
Two winners will be announced in Friday’s paper and receive seats for the Top 4 performance show Monday November 16.
