A touching moment during tonight’s X Factor Malta round of auditions saw a 16-year-old girl bring the panel of seasoned judges to tears with her original song, which she dedicated to her late mother.

Eksenia Sammut lost her mother last year, but being someone who has been singing she was four years old, she found solace in music. Later, she ended up writing a song dedicated to her mother, choosing to perform that to the judges as it had been her wish to see Eksenia on the stage.

Within seconds, many of the judges could be seen trying their best to hold off their tears, with Gianluca even having to put his head down as the teenager’s chorus came to an emotional crescendo.

“It’s very brave of you to have come here with an original song, as well as a song written for your mother,” Ira Losco said, as both her and Eksenia appeared visibly teary eyed. “I cannot ever imagine how you’re feeling right now, but I know for a fact that your mother is very proud of you.”