Last year during the auditions for the show “Britain’s Got Talent”, Paul Potts, a cell phone salesman from South Wales with bad teeth, low self-confidence, and wearing a silly suit walked out onto the stage, stood in front of the three judges–Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden– and announced that he was going to sing opera. The three judges looked at each other thinking: “here we go, we’re going to have to sit through another ridiculous performance.” Instead, Paul Potts’ performance gave the judges and everyone in the audience goosebumps. Paul went on to the semi-finals, then the finals, and then went on to win first prize.
– Marelisa
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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Mare,
I’ve seen this video before, and I’ve seen Paul Potts sing on tv a few times and EVERY TIME he makes me cry with the beauty of his voice and the power in his soul. Nessun Dorma is the kind of opera that makes you fly inside and he absolutely does it justice.
Thanks for an inspiring start to the week.
Kelly
Hi Kelly: I had never heard of him, I saw this video for the first time yesterday and I’ve watched it like twenty times since then. He’s just magical, so I had to put him on my blog!
That was a great video! I’ve seen him in interviews. He is so humble and sweet. It’s stories like his that really make this world go round.
Karl Staib – Work Happy Nows last blog post..Imagination Isn’t Just for Kids
Hi Karl: I’m so glad for shows like these that allow people who would probably not have been discovered to shine. And you’re right, in addition to his incredible talent he’s so humble and endearing.
Oh my gosh I just started bawling. There is such a thing having art around just for the pure beauty of it. To remind us that life is for living, loving and laughing.
Thank you Marelisa- I’m so glad I’ve subscribed to you!
I could feel my heart beating faster when he was singing.
Wow.
What an inspiring story.
Vered – MomGrinds last blog post..A Weekend In Napa: 3 Days, No Internet, No Problem
Hi Dr. Carson: I started crying too. I think it’s a combination of his talent and the fact that you just feel so happy for him that he’s turning his dreams into reality.
Hi Vered: You could just see how he was affecting the audience: people were crying, cheering, clapping, standing up . . . I think he affected everyone.
I cried the first 10 times I saw it on YouTube. He is amazing and a good reminder for me to “follow my dreams”.
Carlas last blog post..Petroleum jelly possible cancer risk
Hi Carla: I wonder if he’s aware of the incredible effect he has on people.
Oh yes…I have seen Paul Potts’ video previously. His story is so inspirational!
Thanks for reminding me yet again what it means to follow my dreams!
Evelyn Lims last blog post..Attract Our Travel Dreams
“A lump of coal that’s going to turn into a diamond” – don’t we all have these “lumps of coal” in us that are just waiting to come out – if we’ll only let them – and turn into magnificent diamonds! This is so powerful Marelisa – powerful in what we can accomplish if we let our true selves shine!
Lances last blog post..Sunday Thought For The Day
Wow… I mean, WOW! I’ve seen a bit of all these “talent” shows, and very few of the contestants really impress me. But that was amazing. And to have the guts to go up in front of all those people and sing OPERA, which is so much more difficult than some popular/radio song is awesome to me.
I hope I can find the courage to follow my dreams that well. I think Lance is right — we all have “lumps of coal” that are just waiting to come out. If we don’t find the way to make them shine, we’ll just feel like coal our whole lives.
goosebumps is right. tears in my eyes too. wow, good for him!
Naturals last blog post..A Million Little Pieces
This guy is so amazing. He’s such a brilliant example of going out, even if you feel “imperfect” on some level, and chasing your dream regardless. Thank you for sharing this, Mare!
Ariel – We Are All Ones last blog post..Forcing Presence vs. Allowing Presence
Hi Evelyn: After I found this video on Saturday I found other YouTube videos of him being interviewed by Oprah, coming out in the news, and so on. I can’t believe I completely missed all of that. He’s amazing.
@Lance: I think Paul just has to be so incredibly brave to have followed his dream of singing opera despite the fact that it seemed like something impossible for him to pursue.
@Sarah: That’s one of the things I highlighted in today’s post on Seth Godin: we can all be the best in the world at something, we just have to find the right thing and stick to it until we make it.
@Natural: That’s part of what’s so incredible about him: that he can illicit such a strong response from people.
@Ariel: That’s a good point; I think we all have imperfections that we’re afraid everyone is going to focus on instead of giving our unique gifts a chance. I’m glad you enjoyed the video Ariel
I came to read your newest post and saw that I’d missed this one. Paul Potts is definitely my favorite Utube video. Like many have said I’ve watched it over and over and just did again. Thank you.
Tom Volkar / Delightful Works last blog post..Authentic Business Discovery
Hi Tom: This one wasn’t exactly a post, it was more of a “look at this incredible YouTube video I found”
Paul Potts set a great example for dreamers all around the world. He reminds us that we’ll never make it unless we try
Hi Melissa: I haven’t seen any interviews with him but I imagine that he took lessons. I wonder how his parents reacted when he told them he wanted to take opera lessons
wow – chills, goosebumps and tears – so incredible, thank you!
Vintage Mommys last blog post..Volatile Vintage Girl
Hi Ann: Somebody else who hadn’t seen it, great! Glad you enjoyed it
Love this video and true story! (I’ve seen it before and still love watching it over & over.) Isn’t a passion for living what makes us reach for (and attain) our dreams? He is an excellent example of that!
Hi Linda: I’m amazed at how many people have seen this video when I only saw it for the first time last week. I think Paul’s singing and his courage just take your breath away.