The X Factor UK had always been a stage where dreams either took flight or were crushed in front of millions. By the time the 2012 season rolled around, viewers had seen nearly every kind of contestant: powerhouse divas, quiet underdogs, quirky eccentrics, and even a few who treated the audition room like a comedy club. Into this mix walked Sheyi Omatayo, a young man brimming with charm, confidence, and an energy that lit up the space long before he even sang a note.
Sheyi didn’t slink in nervously, nor did he try to play it cool. Instead, he greeted the host with the enthusiasm of someone genuinely thrilled to be there. Dressed casually but carrying himself with charisma, he talked animatedly about his job at Nando’s, the chicken restaurant chain where he worked shifts that helped pay the bills. His day job might have seemed ordinary, but his ambitions stretched far beyond the counter. He told stories with ease, even claiming he had once crossed paths with pop star Pixie Lott, a detail that drew chuckles backstage. To anyone watching, Sheyi appeared fearless, as though nothing could shake his bright self-belief.
When he finally walked onto the stage, the judging panel—Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos, Louis Walsh, and Nicole Scherzinger—sat waiting, ready to hear what he had to offer. Almost immediately, Sheyi’s personality caught their attention. He cracked a grin, introduced himself with warmth, and radiated the kind of presence that made him instantly likeable. The judges exchanged glances, smiling and even stifling a few laughs—not out of cruelty, but because Sheyi’s energy was larger than life.
The moment came for him to announce his song choice: Louis Armstrong’s timeless classic, “What a Wonderful World.” It was an ambitious pick, a piece so iconic that even the slightest misstep would stand out. But Sheyi seemed undeterred. He adjusted the microphone, nodded once, and then, with the full confidence of a man who believed in his gift, began to sing.
What came out stunned everyone. His voice was deep, raspy, and wholly unexpected, more gravel than velvet, more theatrical than melodic. It wasn’t Louis Armstrong, nor was it a polished reinterpretation. It was something entirely his own—bold, raw, and unorthodox.
The audience reacted first. Giggles rippled through the auditorium, then spread into open laughter. The judges followed, trying—and failing—to keep straight faces. Nicole covered her mouth to hide her reaction. Gary Barlow raised his eyebrows so high it looked like they might vanish into his hairline. Tulisa exchanged wide-eyed glances with Louis Walsh, who shook his head in disbelief.
Yet, through it all, Sheyi powered on. His delivery was full of passion and unshakable commitment. He sang with conviction, pouring emotion into every note as though the outcome didn’t matter. If the crowd laughed, he didn’t flinch. If the judges smiled, he smiled back. His joy in performing was so genuine that it became impossible not to admire his spirit.
By the end of the song, the room was buzzing—not with admiration for his vocal quality, but with appreciation for his sheer audacity. He had taken one of the most revered songs in history and delivered it with a voice that seemed to belong to an entirely different genre. He was, without question, entertaining.
Now it was time for the verdict. Nicole Scherzinger leaned forward first, her tone sympathetic but honest. “Sheyi,” she said, still trying to catch her breath from laughing, “your voice… it’s like a split personality. It’s unexpected. But it’s not right for this competition.”
Louis Walsh, always quick with a quip, added his thoughts, but it was Gary Barlow who delivered the bluntest blow. “It was terrible,” he said flatly, his words slicing through the room like cold steel. The audience gasped, but Gary’s face remained firm. For him, The X Factor was about talent, not just personality.
Despite the harsh critique, Sheyi didn’t crumble. Instead, he laughed along, brushing off the comments with grace and even tossing back a few lighthearted jokes. He seemed unfazed by the rejection, his grin as wide as it had been when he first stepped onto the stage. It was as if he had decided from the beginning that no matter what happened, he would enjoy himself.
The final tally was clear: Sheyi would not be moving on in the competition. But as he left the stage, the audience gave him a round of applause—not out of pity, but because he had given them something memorable. He had dared to be different, dared to stand in front of the nation and sing his heart out in his own unique way.
Backstage, Sheyi remained upbeat. “At least I made them laugh,” he said, still chuckling. To him, the day wasn’t a failure. It was an adventure, a story he would carry forever. He hadn’t won the judges’ approval, but he had won something else: the admiration of viewers who respected his courage to be himself, even when the odds were stacked against him.
In the years since, Sheyi’s audition has often been remembered as one of the most unusual moments of that X Factor season. While others faded into anonymity, his bold take on “What a Wonderful World” remained etched in fans’ memories. He may not have been the competition’s next superstar, but he left behind something more enduring: proof that sometimes, the joy of performing matters more than the approval of a panel.
For Sheyi Omatayo, the stage wasn’t just about advancing—it was about showing the world who he was, flaws and all. And in that sense, his audition was not a failure at all.