Josh Daniel’s X Factor Audition: The Song That Moved Simon Cowell to Tears
Josh Daniel, an aspiring singer on The X Factor, almost went with a completely different song for his audition. But in a twist of fate, he made a last-minute change—one that would etch his name in the show’s history as the man who brought Simon Cowell to tears.
A Change of Heart
Josh’s close friend, Kerrianne Covell, who reached the Judges’ Houses stage in the 2014 season, revealed that he initially planned to perform Nathan Sykes’ upbeat track “Kiss Me Quick.” However, after a powerful moment in the studio with Kerrianne and another friend, Liv Quantrill, everything changed.
“I don’t think that’s the right song,” Liv said, watching him rehearse. “What else have you got?”
Josh hesitated. His fourth choice—Labrinth’s emotional ballad “Jealous”—was on the list, but he was reluctant. He didn’t want to sound too much like the original.
But then, something magical happened. As he sang it, kneeling on the floor, the raw emotion in his voice was undeniable.
“There’s no doubt about it,” Kerrianne recalled telling him. “If you can make us feel this way just by kneeling and singing, imagine what you’ll do on that stage.”
A Song With Meaning
Just days before his audition, Josh made the call—he was switching songs. And when he finally stood before the judges, his decision paid off.
He dedicated “Jealous” to his late friend, Tom Woolley, who tragically passed away in 2013 at just 18 years old. The heartfelt tribute struck a deep chord with the audience and the judges alike.
Simon Cowell, who had just lost his mother, Julie Brett, before the auditions began, was visibly shaken. As the performance unfolded, tears welled in his eyes, leaving Nick Grimshaw and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini momentarily stunned. Overcome with emotion, Simon had to be escorted off in a golf cart—an unforgettable moment in X Factor history.
Sometimes, the right song chooses the singer. And for Josh Daniel, “Jealous” wasn’t just a song—it was a story, a memory, and a moment that would never be forgotten.
