Some auditions are good. Some are great. And then there are those rare performances that become something more—a cultural moment, a declaration of identity, a before-and-after point in television history. Talent shows exist for one reason: to discover future stars. And when Seann Miley Moore walked onto The X Factor UK stage in 2015, that’s exactly what happened.
From the first step, it was clear this wasn’t going to be ordinary. Drenched in confidence and clad in bold PVC, heels, and statement earrings, Seann didn’t just enter—they claimed the space. And when the first notes of Queen’s “The Show Must Go On” rang out, something shifted in the room. This wasn’t a cover. It was a resurrection.
Seann’s voice—raw, theatrical, brimming with soul—didn’t just fill the arena. It rewired it. Judges leaned in. The audience stilled. By the final crescendo, it was clear: this was more than talent. This was truth.
The response was instant and emotional. Online, comments flooded in:
“If X Factor had a golden buzzer, he would’ve definitely got it”
“Freddie would have loved this. So much soul”
“He reminds me of George Michael… that elegance, that depth”
But what made Seann’s performance resonate far beyond the show wasn’t just the vocal prowess—it was the courage. Here was someone, proudly Filipino-Australian and openly genderqueer, showing up exactly as they were, refusing to shrink or soften. In a world that often asks queer artists to be palatable, Seann was gloriously, unapologetically themselves.
Though their X Factor journey ended earlier than many hoped, the impact didn’t. The audition now lives on—22 million views and counting, with clips still circulating on TikTok and YouTube, touching new audiences years later.
Because Seann’s artistry was never just about singing. It was about visibility. It was about giving people permission to be bold, to be different, to be fully themselves.
Since that iconic audition, Seann has continued to break barriers:
Turning all four chairs on The Voice Australia
Competing in Eurovision Australia Decides 2022 with My Body
Releasing their own music including the fierce 4 Track Bitch EP
Reimagining classic roles like the Engineer in Miss Saigon as EnginQueer
Landing the lead role in Hedwig and the Angry Inch set to tour Australia in 2025
Through it all, Seann has remained a beacon—not just as a performer, but as a symbol of authenticity. They stood on one of the world’s biggest stages and said, without saying a word: This is me. Take it or leave it.
The world didn’t just take it. They’re still listening.
you can watch the full performance below