Mary-Ann Van der Horst dreams of building a successful singing career so she can give back to her family.
After auditioning for television talent show The X Factor, her dreams are one step closer to coming true.
The former Hoppers Crossing resident, who recently moved to Clayton for work, has made it through to the second stage of the competition, known as boot camp, after impressing the show’s judges at her audition earlier this year.
She joins Werribee teenager Justin Vasquez, 15, in the second round. His performance was praised by the judges.
Van der Horst, 28, sang Beyonce’s Halo at her audition. The aged-care worker said singing in front of 1000 people was nerve-wracking.
“I was shaking,” she said. “There was 1000 people, which is the biggest audience I have performed to. Most of my audition is a blur, but I remember that I got a standing ovation from the crowd. It was so unexpected.
“People tell me I can sing, but you don’t expect to get a reaction like that.”
She said her father had been her biggest inspiration and motivator, encouraging her to keep chasing her dreams.
Van der Hoorst moved to Hoppers Crossing from the Philippines in 2012 after marrying an Australian.
“My father tried to teach me how to sing,” she said. “He wasn’t a good singer himself, but he encouraged me and got me to sing in competitions in the Philippines.
“As I child, I competed against professional singers and I won. I used the money to help my family, so that’s what I want to do now.
“I won’t give up on my dreams.”
