Pinay Mom Neneth Lyons Gets Standing Ovation from Simon Cowell, Judges, and the Crowd at UK X Factor Auditions

09/14/2015 | 3:01 0 Posted in Entertainment, The World

Neneth (nee Ortega) Lyons, 37, a housewife and mother originally from the Philippines, could be the first ever non-British UK X Factor winner if she maintains her flawless performance in the succeeding rounds of the contest.

Her rendition of Barbra Streisand’s “Somewhere” captivated not only the judges, but all the people who were present live during the auditions.

Neneth Lyons has seriously impressed on Sunday’s X Factor after overcoming a bout of nerves.

Originally from the Philippines, when Neneth was younger she performed as a singer in bars and hotels in Hong Kong and China. She met her husband whilst performing in China and they have been married for 10 years.

After meeting her husband she stopped singing and has only recently started to sing in public again.

Nick Grimshaw said: “Wow, I loved it. Initially I was drawn in by your nerves then you came alive. It was amazing.”

Cheryl added: “The audience were drawn in… that was a stunning performance.”

Rita revealed: “You can never judge a book by its cover. If your daughter can speak, she would say ‘that’s my mum’.”

Simon said: “When the song started I thought it was a big dated but then I thought, ‘so what’… she’s a great singer.”

Simon then added: “Love her, love her, love her.”

This season of UK X Factor features other two contestants originally from the Philippines, but Lyons was considered the strongest among the three, and has the bigger chance to win the competition.

Last month, the Pinay sisters “4^th Power” performed before the audience, but the event raised some concerns after the public became aware that the group have already sold albums and are considered professional singers.

It was also revealed that the group was intentionally invited by the X Factor’s program coordinators, making them less favorite and considered their performance “scripted” and “for entertainment only”.

Another Pinay singer, Jenessa Gill also got four votes from the judges with her rendition of Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie.”

Neneth Lyons is considered “the strongest contestant” so far in the 2015 Season of UK X Factor.