Before her audition, 29-year-old vocalist Aliki told a really touching anecdote. A few years prior, she had been diagnosed with focal encephalitis, a severe inflammation of the brain that left her unable to move, read, write, or even communicate. Doctors were unable to ensure she would ever fully recover, so her mother took on the role of full-time caregiver, helping with all of her basic needs. Aliki’s family was thrust into an uncertain future when she received this sad illness, which happened soon after she started university.
However, one night in the hospital marked a significant turning point in Aliki’s challenging recuperation. Unbelievably, Aliki began to hum along with her mother as she began to hum songs from her early years, recalling every melody with clarity. This little act of singing showed how music would be a powerful part of her recovery process and was a crucial indication that her condition was improving. Her mother talked about Aliki’s tremendous fortitude and how music added even more significance to her recuperation.
The judges were profoundly impressed by Aliki’s strong vocals and poignant performance when she eventually took the stage to perform “Bring Me To Life.” The music she selected had lyrics that were exactly in line with her own healing process. Simon Cowell acknowledged the sadness of her song selection and lauded her innate skill and amazing energy. Aliki advanced in the competition after receiving four enthusiastic “yes” votes from the judges for her outstanding performance.
