X Factor contestant Marlisa Punzalan from Blacktown, a year 9 student at Mercy Catholic College, Chatswood, is being touted as one of the singers to beat based on the early audition rounds.
Since making her debut Marlisa said she had been receiving lots of emails and text messages and has been congratulated after being recognised by strangers.
The aspiring international singer is already a seasoned performer having performed at charity events, eisteddfods and RSL competitions but said the show would help build her confidence and exposure.
“It’s exciting and weird to see yourself on TV,” she said. “It gives you more experience and exposure and also builds your confidence and you learn so much as a performer.”
It was a case of if at first you don’t succeed try again for Marlisa who had previously struck out on Australia’s Got Talent (AGT) and The Voice Kids — the latter because she was just one month over the age limit.
Her appearance on AGT last year had judges criticising her song choices, “After AGT I went back and started over by performing in a lot of different talent quests and eisteddfods,” says Punzalan. “I just started building my confidence back up again because I knew if I was going to compete again I needed to work on that.
“And I know when I walk out on the stage I see the crowd and get a massive boost of energy”
A year on and fortified by additional talent show experience and a bigger dose of confidence, Marlisa is an early favourite despite being one of the youngest in the competition.
Marlisa names another Aussie talent show discovery Jessica Mauboy, who will take to the world stage at the official Flag Handover Ceremony (FHC) during the close of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, as one of her idols.