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Gay Kiwi strikes a chord at Aus X Factor

Wed 7 Aug 2013 In: New Zealand Daily News

Ofisa Toleafoa A New Zealander who moved to Australia after his mum turned her back on him for being gay has made it through first round of X Factor across the Tasman, after an incredibly emotional audition. “I grew up in a really strong Samoan Christian family, where our beliefs don’t believe in homosexuality,” Ofisa Toleafoa, known as Tee, explains. “It’s crazy. My family basically found out that I was gay through Facebook. One photo went up and they found out that I was gay.” The 23-year-old says him mum found it hardest to accept him. He has moved to New South Wales so he could find himself and be who he is. He last spoke to his mother last year. Toleafoa sang Jennifer Hudson’s I Am Changing for his mum, saying he may be changing, his love for her never will, and he is the same person she bought up. “I hope she sees me and she’s proud of me.” Watch his performance and the crowd and judges’ reactions below.     

Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff

First published: Wednesday, 7th August 2013 - 8:29am

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