Point Loma High School student Ty Desharnais could have that undefinable “something” that makes for star quality.
An audio tape by the 15-year-old singing sophomore was submitted online to “The X Factor” television music competition recently by his mom, Michelle.
To everyone’s surprise, not the least of all Ty’s and Michelle’s, Ty Desharnais has outcompeted countless other contestants to make it through the first couple layers of auditions for the show. Now, he is waiting to hear if he’ll survive to the semifinal round, where contestants audition at the homes of competition judges.
To the victor of the competition go the spoils: $5 million and a recording contract.
“It was crazy,” said Desharnais, who recently had a taped live audition before judges and a large audience in Los Angeles. “My heart was pounding. I thought my voice would change.”
But he not only got through it, he got four “yes” votes from the judges which, Desharnais said, “Was as good as you can do.”
Dersharnais sang “Lego House” by Ed Sheeran.
A self-described math and science “geek” who thinks he’d ultimately like to be an engineer, Desharnais said he’s never really fancied himself as a singer.
But Michelle Desharnais says different.
“He used to constantly be singing. It would drive me insane,” she said.
But she also admits she began listening, finally determining that her son actually “sounded pretty good.”
“He had a nice tone,” Michelle Desharnais said.
She finally talked him into getting voice lessons, which have since paid dividends.
It was Michelle who finally coaxed Desharnais into recording a song which she submitted online to the “X Factor.”
Michelle Desharnais said she and her son both realize the odds against him since he’s competing “against professionals, against people who give voice lessons.”
But she was quick to point out that, win or lose, competing in the contest will be  “a great story to tell his grandkids.”
Ty Desharnais said the experience already has been character changing, making him feel more secure in his abilities — and bolder in his aspirations.
“Anything I try to do, I try to do to the fullest,” he said. “Sometimes my goals seem a little high, almost impossible. Almost is the key word. Nothing’s impossible.”
Of actually singing on a stage in front of a live audience, Ty Desharnais said, “It was great, overwhelming. It was like nothing I’ve ever felt before.” He said he would recommend the experience to “anyone who has a dream of singing and wanting to fulfill it.”
Ty Desharnais said you have to have talent to be a singer, but, like anything else, you have to work hard to develop the necessary skills.
“You can’t just jump into this and think you can sing,” he said. “You have to go to a voice coach and learn how to breathe through your diaphragm and how to say your vowels.”
Most importantly, Ty Desharnais said, to be good at doing something like singing, you just have to roll with it.
“You have to have fun with it,” he said. “Don’t be worried about it. Just go and have fun. I did. I’m thankful for the awesome experience.”