The judges may not have expected much when Pablo Lopez limped up to the microphone with a cane. The man was obviously much older than the usual contestant on Mexico Tiene Talento, and he looked every bit of his 43 years of age. They looked at each other then at him, waiting to see what would transpire. He had brought a boom box with him, which he sat down on the floor beside him.
He told them his name and a little about himself, switched on the music and began to sing. From the first note out of his mouth the judges were in a state of shock. He had chosen to sing “Still Love That Old Time Rock and Roll, in English. He hit every note pitch-perfect, and he gathered momentum and passion as he sang the song beautifully. The female judge was standing and in tears halfway through Pablo’s rendition.
The two male judges were obviously stunned. The audience went wild. Pablo kept up the energy and gusto of the song for every note.
It was obvious from the people standing up to dance and clap with huge grins on their faces that he was a hit. At the end, the judges stared, fascinated and moved by the performance. The woman judge was wiping her eyes and nose, obviously profoundly moved by the experience. It just goes to show that you can never judge a book by its cover. Passion and talent will come through every time.