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 Everyone has a talent. Everyone has a super power. Everyone can do something with near-perfect consistency. Even Mr. Paul Potts.
Paul Potts was a mobile phone salesman living in South Wales. He was $60,000 in debt and down on his luck. He had been bullied and picked on most of his life and his countenance showed it. He was insecure, shy, and unassuming.
After much debate, he finally convinced himself to audition for the English television show Britain’s Got Talent. He walked on stage in a frumpy, ill-fitting suit – clearly out of his element. When the judges asked him what he was there to do, he announced, “I am going to sing opera.” The judges (Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan, and Amanda Holden) rolled their eyes and braced themselves for another agonizingly painful audition.
But that is not what happened. When Paul Potts opened his mouth, out came astonishingly beautiful sounds. The audience erupted. The judges stared dumbfounded. Amanda Holden cried. Against all odds, against all expectations, Paul Potts could sing – Paul Potts could sing like an angel.
“My voice has always been my best friend. When I was having problems with bullies at school, I always had my voice to fall back on. I don’t know why people bullied me. I was always a bit different. That’s the reason I struggle with self-confidence. When I am singing, I don’t have that problem. I am in the place where I should be. All my life I’ve felt insignificant, but after that first audition, I realized I am somebody. I’m Paul Potts.”
Paul Potts won the competition and the $200,000 prize (watch the video). He performed in front of the Queen and on TV networks throughout Europe and the US. His debut album One Chance was released on July 16, 2007, in the UK, and six days later it was number on the UK Album Chart. And his rendition of Nessun Dorma has been viewed tens of millions of times and ranks as one of You Tube’s all-time most viewed videos.
Paul Potts has talent. He can sing. It is his super power.
What is your super power?
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