As the P&O Cruises Talent of Tomorrow competition hots up, we take stock of auditions day at The Academy in Southampton and find out which three young artists will be mentored by Gary Barlow on Iona before the winner is chosen by public vote.

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<h3>Q: Can you sum up the standout qualities of the three finalists?</h3>
&nbsp;
Faith Simon from Hastings 
 Faith is really authentic. Her lyrics are so clever. For a 19-year-old, they’re really well thought through. She’s got that thing she does where she acts some of the lines a little bit – I like that, it’s really different and quirky. And she has a classically beautiful voice.
&nbsp;
Ky Lewis from London 
Ky is super modern. He’s not the singer-songwriter you expect with a guitar or a piano singing very internally about emotions… He’s thrown all the cards in the air and invented his own little niche. This one is unique.
&nbsp;
Mercy Levett from Birmingham 
 I liked Mercy instantly. The minute she said hello to me, I wanted her to be good.&nbsp; And then when she was, it was a slam dunk. She has a classically great voice, she’s a great pianist, and there’s a nice connection with her lyrics and songs. She’s got that gospel and soul thing going on, which makes her different.&nbsp;

<h3>Q: And now it’s down to the public to vote for the winner… what are your thoughts?</h3>
I wouldn’t like to choose between Faith, Ky and Mercy as they’re all so different. I wouldn’t tell you if I did have a favourite, but to be honest, I don’t. I want them all to win! Whoever gets it, they’re going to be great!
We’ve done our job and now the audience needs to do theirs. I’m just glad I don’t have to choose!

Watch the finalists meet Gary Barlow

<h2>Watch the finalists meet Gary Barlow</h2>
<h3>Mercy Levett</h3>

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Auditions

<h2>Auditions</h2>
On a bright Southampton morning, 10 talented young artists from around the UK make their way to The Academy rehearsal space to take part in the P&amp;O Cruises Talent of Tomorrow competition. As they warm up their vocal cords and tune their instruments in the green room, the tension begins to build.
&nbsp;
One by one, they’re called in to perform their chosen song before the panel of judges: radio DJ and presenter Devin Griffin; Senior Manager, Production Shows, Carnival UK Adam Jenkins and Gary Barlow’s music manager Sophie Dorrington.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

What follows is an extraordinary day of musical brilliance as each in turn shows the judges what they were capable of: many candidates have composed original songs. As the day wears on, does the level of performance start to drop? Far from it – each young talent is as remarkable as the next.
&nbsp;
But only three of these brights stars can make it to the final and a mentoring day on Iona with music legend Gary Barlow. The judges face the toughest of decisions as they huddle over their notes and polaroids of the 10. They agree on one. Then two… but the third spot causes heated debate.

Finally, they agree...

The contestants are called back in, gathering anxiously in a line. Devlin steps forward to announce the final three: Mercy from Birmingham; Ky from London and Faith from Hastings.
 
The next chapter for the three finalists is about to get even more exciting. Next stop: a mentoring day on Iona with Gary Barlow before recording their final entry.
 
Then it’s over to you to decide.

Q&A with Gary Barlow: ‘I wasn’t expecting the level of talent here today’

<h2>Q&amp;A with Gary Barlow: ‘I wasn’t expecting the level of talent here today’</h2>
On Saturday 7 September, Gary Barlow joined <a href="https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-ships/iona/overview">Iona</a> in Southampton to mentor the three finalists of the P&amp;O Cruises Talent of Tomorrow competition. Each finalist enjoyed an individual mentoring session with the music legend, who offered expert insight and top tips to take their performance to another level. Each contestant then gave it their all in a final performance before a live audience in <a href="https://www.pocruises.com/onboard-activities/bars-and-lounges/710-club">The 710 Club</a>.
 
We catch up with Gary to take stock of this unforgettable mentoring day and hear his thoughts about the final three before the winner is chosen by the public.

<h3>Q: What were you expecting today?</h3>
I’ve been around a lot of talent. I was a judge on X Factor for a few years, and I feel like I’m not easily impressed. I wasn’t expecting the level of talent here today.
&nbsp;
Faith, Ky and Mercy… they’re so different from one another, they’re each unique in a way I could never have predicted. And the key bit here is that they’re true to themselves.
&nbsp;
<h3>Q: What were you looking for in our final three?</h3>
I was looking for that feeling of ‘I’m connecting with this’. I listen to a lot of music and there are actually very few artists that I connect with. However, there was a moment in everyone’s performance today that I really did feel a connection.
&nbsp;
That’s the key to everything that everyone does on ship, right? They all want to connect with the people who have come here, whether it’s through music, or taking someone’s order or just saying hello. Connection is the most important thing and as musicians and songwriters, that’s a really hard thing to do. But these guys can do it.

<h3>Q: Did you see their level of performance improve today after your mentoring sessions?</h3>
They raised their game today. If you think about where they are here in their journey – this is a big chance for them. I wouldn’t have liked to go through what they’ve done today! There’s a lot of pressure but they were so cool and professional about it. And importantly, they are all lovely. They’re nice people and nice people deserve a break.
&nbsp;
I can’t really take any credit. The thing I wanted to instil in them is that they’re great and they should continue going down the path that they’re on. You get a lot of knock-backs in our business – far more nos than yesses. And I just wanted them all to know that they’re talented and great. Sometimes, that’s all people need to keep going and keep trying.

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