The Moment a Fishmonger Became a Star: Reliving Lola Saunders’ Iconic X Factor Audition 🎤✨
There are some moments in television history that simply stay with you, etched into your memory because of the raw, unfiltered emotion they convey. One such moment is the unforgettable room audition of Lola Saunders on The X Factor UK . If you’re looking for a performance that defines “heart-wrenching” and “soul-stirring,” look no further than this incredible cover of Adele’s (originally Bob Dylan’s) “Make You Feel My Love”.
🐟 From the Fish Counter to the Big Stage
Before she stepped into that audition room, 20-year-old Lola Saunders led a life far removed from the glitz and glamour of Saturday night television. Hailing from South Shields, near Newcastle, Lola worked as a fishmonger. In her pre-audition interview, she candidly admitted that her job was “not glamorous at all” and that she dreamt of a career where she could “slap on a bit of make-up and look pretty” instead of smelling like fish at the end of every shift.
This humble background made her even more relatable to the millions watching at home. She wasn’t a polished performer; she was a young woman with a massive dream and a voice that was about to change her life forever 🌟.
🥺 A Performance That Brought Tears
The moment Lola began to sing, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Choosing a song like “Make You Feel My Love” is always a risk because of how iconic the Adele version is, but Lola made it entirely her own. Her voice, filled with a beautiful, natural vibrato and deep emotional resonance, immediately caught the judges’ attention.
Lola has always been open about being an “emotional person,” admitted that she often cried at movies and even at the show itself when other contestants succeeded. That sensitivity was her superpower during this audition. You could feel every ounce of her nerves, her hope, and her passion in every note. By the time she finished, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
👩⚖️ The Judges’ Reaction
The panel—consisting of Simon Cowell, Cheryl, Mel B, and Louis Walsh—was visibly moved. They saw beyond the nerves and recognized the “X Factor” in her immediately. Mel B would later describe Lola’s performances as “stunning,” urging her to believe in herself more because of the sheer talent she possessed. Cheryl, her fellow Geordie, felt a particularly strong connection to Lola’s authenticity and raw talent.
🎢 The Emotional Rollercoaster: The Wild Card Journey
Lola’s journey on the show was anything but simple. After a successful run through the Arena Auditions and the Six-Chair Challenge, fans were devastated when she was initially sent home by Cheryl during the Judges’ Houses round. Lola described the journey home as “horrible,” feeling like she had come so close to her dream only for it to be taken away.
However, the public’s love for her was so strong that she was brought back as a Wild Card for the live shows!. This second chance allowed her to showcase her versatility, tackling songs like Mariah Carey’s “There Can Be Miracles” and Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me”.
🎭 Life After The X Factor
Lola eventually finished in 10th place, but her career didn’t end there. She successfully transitioned into musical theatre, starring in the UK tour of the 1960s-inspired musical “Save the Last Dance For Me”. Critics and audiences alike praised her theatrical debut, proving that the shy fishmonger from South Shields was always meant for the spotlight 💃.