Now 21 years old, Josh recently took the stage on X Factor, delivering a performance that left everyone, even the famously tough Simon Cowell, on the verge of tears before he had even sung the first note.
Josh’s audition was the last of the day—a fitting conclusion, as his deeply emotional performance left the judges too moved to continue afterward.
A vehicle technician who lives with his mother, Josh walked onstage with little fanfare, leaving the audience unsure of what to expect. When it came time to choose his song, he selected Labrinth’s “Jealous”—a track typically about longing for an ex who has moved on. The chorus reads:
“It’s hard for me to say; I’m jealous of the way
You’re happy without me.”
But Josh’s interpretation of the song was entirely unique.
Reflecting on the loss of his best friend, Josh shared, “I’m jealous that he’s now happy in heaven—that he’s moved on to a better place—and that I can’t still be with him.”
His raw emotion and heartfelt delivery transformed the performance into a powerful tribute to those we’ve loved and lost.
Josh’s moving audition is a poignant reminder of the pain of loss and the enduring love we carry for those who’ve passed. Share his story and performance with anyone who has lost a loved one—it’s a tribute that speaks to us all.
