Single Dad Joseph Whelan Wowed X Factor With His Rendition Of “Whole Lotta Love”
A single dad named Joseph Whelan made a memorable impact on X Factor Global with his electrifying rendition of Led Zeppelin’s classic hit “Whole Lotta Love.” The 26-year-old tattooed tool salesman not only captured the attention of the ladies in the crowd with his looks but also amazed the judges with his exceptional talent, overshadowing their own remarks with the loud catcalls.
Whelan proved to be more than just a pretty face, showcasing his impressive rock skills. Tackling Robert Plant’s challenging vocals was a huge challenge, but Whelan flawlessly delivered the right amount of grit and even added a touch of croon.
His powerful scream leading into the chorus shooked the venue and left the judges exchanging excited glances. Unsurprisingly, his audition has become one of the most-watched performances on the X Factor Global channel, amassing over 50 million views.
Watch his brilliant performance in the video below:
Whelan, from the West Midlands city of Wolverhampton, brought his four-year-old son Kian along to the audition, describing him as the light of his life. He said “there’s so much riding on this for me – not just for myself because I want to be a musician, but I really want to make my son proud and make him happy. I hope he’s proud of his daddy.”
Judge Tulisa mouthed a silent “wow” as Whelan concluded his flawless rendition of “Whole Lotta Love.” After the cheers settled, she exclaimed, “Joseph, oh my God, what a voice, what a tone you have.” Adding a playful touch, she teased Judge Gary Barlow, suggesting he might get jealous because Whelan would steal all the female attention.
Louis Walsh joined in, praising, “That was a brilliant audition. You’ve got an amazing talent – you’ve got an authentic rock voice.” Barlow noted the contrast between Whelan’s calm introduction and his powerful rock performance, expressing, “That was absolutely awesome. What a great voice – I really enjoyed that.” With unanimous praise, Whelan earned four resounding yes votes and advanced in the competition.
