Launceston performer Cedric Richards has made it through to X Factor live performances and will fly to Sydney next month for his next stage in the talent show. Picture: GEOFF ROBSON
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AT LEAST three Northern and North-West performers have made it through to the public audition round of national reality singing show X Factor.
Cedric Richards, of Riverside, has made it through to the televised auditions along with Burnie teacher Mikaela Campbell and Devonport musician Leah Woodberry.
Richards, 22, has only just moved to the state from New Zealand, where he studied classical music, was involved in poetry readings, writing and directing his own one-man plays and modelling.
``My parents live on a farm, so I was brought up there,'' Richards said.
``When I went to Auckland to study, I missed the simplicity of country life, so my aunty and uncle asked me if I wanted to come live with them here.''
Two months ago, Richards packed his bags and ended up in Launceston after his initial X Factor audition.
He sang Frank Sinatra's The Lady is a Tramp and Bob Marley's Redemption Song for the Sydney audition and, while he has made it through to the public audition round, it took two tries.
Richards said he missed out on day one of the auditions.
``They didn't give me a solid reason as to why,'' he said.
``Perhaps they found me a bit too eccentric, but then I decided to go and audition on the second day and I was accepted.''
Richards will fly back to Sydney again, with his expenses paid by the show, for his April 11 audition.
He said his classical training was something that helped him with his singing.
``Opera is like the weightlifting of music, it really strengthens the voice,'' he said.
``I feel like I can sing just about anything because of it.''