Singer James Johnston has chosen to become a contestant on X Factor Australia 2014.
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The 23-year-old grew up in Wingham and said he is a country boy at heart.
Choosing to sing a version of Katy Perry's pop song Roar for his first performance on July 14 raised eyebrows with the judges but soon impressed the audience.
Girls screamed and judges Dannii Minogue and Redfoo clapped along.
Ronan Keating compared him to Taylor Henderson and James admitted it was seeing Taylor on the show that inspired him to take part.
Taylor came second in the fifth series of X Factor Australia and was subsequently signed by Sony Music Australia.
James has now made it through to the boot camp stage of the competition.