Michael had a very difficult childhood in Hartlepool, England. His dad wasn't around when he was young because of his drug addition -- and then when Michael was 17, just after they'd rekindled their relationship, his dad passed away. Hearing his father say he was proud of Michael for singing left a lasting impression on him and drove him to audition for IDOL. He talked about how he wishes dad was still around, and then wowed the judges singing Kelly Clarkson's "Because Of You," and were blown away about the heart and emotion he put into the song. Watch:
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