Since Beau Monga stepped out onto the stage at Auckland’s SkyCity Theatre, auditioning with nothing but two mics, a loop pedal and a myriad of talents, he’s made a lasting impression on not just the judges but the Kiwi audience. Without a single week in the bottom two, and clocking up a staggering four million views of his Hit the Road Jack audition, Beau (21) sealed the deal as New Zealand’s next big thing when he won the second season of The X Factor New Zealand last Monday.
Speaking with Beau just hours after his celebrations with the crew and contestants ended, he was clearly exhausted, but enthusiastic as ever, calling his win “buzzy”.
“It’s hard to soak it all in at the moment, but I am so glad now that it’s finished and this is the result. It’s been a long journey! There are so many people to thank, I can’t even think still.”
Beau was mentored to victory by Australian Natalie Bassingthwaighte.
It came down to the wire between Beau and fellow crowd favourite Nyssa Collins. Both had given outstanding performances of their new, original hits – Beau’s King and Queen utilised his skills as a vocalist and beatboxer, while Nyssa’s Party Like I’m 18 – penned by mentor Stan Walker – encapsulated the 23-year-old’s fun-loving spirit and powerful vocal range. But there could only be one winner.
“To be honest, I thought it was Nyssa,” tells Beau. “When I heard my name, I thought it was a glitch.”
It’s typical of Beau, who is the son of Ardijah singers Betty-Anne and Ryan Monga, to remain humble. He’s previously said if there’s one thing he’s learnt from his performer parents, it’s to not let a diva-like ego develop.
“Never act like the man,” he says of their advice. “Once you think you are, it’s all downhill.”
Although his parents weren’t in the audience at the results show, they were the first people he called.
“They said congratulations and how proud they were that I did it my own way.”
While earlier this month Beau had high hopes for a week off after the show wrapped, he’s going to have to put his plans on the backburner.
“We’re going straight into the recording studio to do the songs from the show as an album,” he says.
Beau’s self-titled album is due for release on June 5, and his first original single from the show, King and Queen, is currently available on iTunes
