When Alisah Bonaobra stepped onto The X Factor UK stage in 2017, she had already traveled thousands of miles for the opportunity.
The singer from the Philippines came to the competition determined to take another step toward her dream of becoming an international performer.
Alisah was no stranger to singing competitions, but standing in front of Simon Cowell and the X Factor judges was still an enormous moment.
Then she revealed her song choice: “Defying Gravity” from the musical Wicked.
It’s a notoriously demanding song, requiring both control and serious vocal power. But as Alisah moved through the performance, she continued building toward the enormous notes everyone was waiting for.
And when those notes arrived, she delivered.
Her powerful vocals filled the room and transformed the audition into a dramatic showcase of her range. By the end, the judges were on their feet, while Alisah struggled to contain her emotions.
The audition earned her the yeses she needed to continue in the competition.
Her X Factor journey would become a roller coaster, including elimination and a dramatic return as a wildcard contestant. Alisah eventually reached the live shows before leaving the competition.
But that first audition immediately showed why she had traveled so far for her chance.
She came from the Philippines carrying an enormous dream—and with one huge Wicked performance, she made sure the judges remembered her name.
