‘I turned down Britain’s Got Talent... I am on a much better road’
RISING young Irish singer-songwriter Muireann McDonnell has turned down a chance to appear on Britain’s Got Talent because she believes TV talent shows are losing their appeal.
Muireann, 14, represented Ireland in the Young Eurovision Song Contest in 2017, and she was contacted by scouts from the talent show last week.
‘Though flattered and intrigued by the offer, I turned it down,’ she said from her home in Skerries, Co. Dublin.
‘I don’t see that show or X Factor or any similar other shows as being the kind of opportunity they were a decade ago, when they did offer people a chance for a chance at stardom.
‘The last few years have seen many who won such shows or come second have success alright, but it has in many instances been fleeting and momentary. The independent scene, where the likes of YouTube plays a big role, is proving for me, at any rate, a much better road to travel.
‘Britain’s Got Talent is just not where I am at right now,’ added Muireann, who launched her first single this weekend, the self-written She Got Him.
The young performer, who sits her Junior Cert next year, has played many festivals in the past few summers and has won the junior section of the Midlands Busking Festival.
She also performed at the Temple Bar Tradfest and performed with The Pale, Paddy Casey, Mark Geary and Lisa Hannigan as they celebrated the 50th birthday of the late musician, Mic Christopher.
Muireann also recently appeared on TV’s The Ray D’Arcy Show with some of Ireland’s top musicians, including Jerry Fish, Cry Monster Cry, Davy Lyons, Mundy and Eleanor McEvoy.
‘It’s not where I am right now’