Xquisite young dancers win the nation’s heart
DANCE TROUPE IN TOP3ONIRELAND’S GOT TALENT
THREE Rathnew dancers’ journey on Ireland’s Got Talent came to a glittering end on Saturday night as their dance troupe Xquisite were voted runners-up by members of the public.
While the RDC group was crowned the first ever winner of the series, there is no doubt that Xquisite won the nation’s heart as the youngest entrants in the competition.
The ten-member troupe included talented Rathnew dancers Freya Roche (8), Kate Goulding (9) and Mia Jameson (11).
Xquisite received the ‘Golden Buzzer’ for their audition, sending into last Thursday’s semi-final, where they received a standing ovation and won the public vote to gain a spot in Saturday’s grand finale.
Emma Goulding, Kate’s mother, said the youngsters have plenty to be proud after their fantastic performances on the show.
‘ They aren’t devastated or heartbroken but they are disappointed,’ she said.
‘ Their goal was always to get to the final but, once you get there, you want to win. They are rightly very proud of themselves and they now have phenomenal memories that will live with them forever. RDC had 31 members so it was always going to be difficult to beat them with phone votes.’
The reception the girls have received from the public has been hugely encouraging.
‘Everywhere they went people were coming up to them and wishing them well. We went for a meal in the Woodpecker and staff wanted their photograph taken with Kate. Parents from school have been great to them as well. Everyone was talking about them,’ said Emma.
Freya, Kate and Mia have also forged a very close bond with the rest of the Xquisite members, who hail from Tallaght.
On Sunday, they gathered in Tallaght to watch their teacher John Nolan compete in the final of Dancing with the Stars alongside Deirdre O’Kane.
‘ They have become their own real tight-knit family because they are so used to being together now,’ said Emma. ‘ They were all at a party on Sunday to support John and have become so close. They are used to competing against one another so it was a wonderful experience for them to be part of a team.’