Australia’s Got Talent’s Paul Kapeleris may be blind, but he has a gift the whole world will soon see.
The 22-year-old Sydney man was born with Leber’s congenital amaurosis, which has left him with only five per cent vision.
WATCH: Blind Australia’s Got Talent contestant brings judges to tears
Paul’s eyesight has never stopped him from chasing his dreams. “There are some things I just can’t do, and that sucks. But I will usually give things a go if I really want to do it. And whatever happens, happens. There’s nothing to lose,” Paul tells New Idea.
“Whenever I felt sad, I’d play [piano] and I’d feel better. That was an escapism for me. But also it’s an avenue that allowed me to express myself.”
Paul’s incredible mum Patty led him on stage during the auditions, leaving her son to stun the entire audience and reduce the judges to tears.
He even got the coveted golden buzzer from judge Lucy Durack, meaning he goes straight to the semi-finals.
“Because I couldn’t see when she pressed the button, I was really confused for a couple of seconds. And then there was like, stuff [confetti] touching me!” Paul laughs.
“And then Lucy got up on stage and gave me a hug and it was a beautiful moment. I had no idea. I didn’t even know I had a standing ovation. I didn’t know any of it happened because I couldn’t see. I found out after [that they were crying] and I was like, ‘aww guys’.”
The Channel Seven talent quest has uncovered a few rising stars and Paul is hoping he’ll make it all the way to the grand final.
If he wins the $100,000 prize money, Paul says he’ll treat his family to a European holiday.
“I haven’t really thought too much about it because it’s not even in the realm of possibility for me right now,” he explains.
“But I want to buy a grand piano, I want to go on a big European holiday with my family and do some recording in a studio.”
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