This ‘X Factor’ audition made Simon Cowell tear up

Simon Cowell, despite the reputation he has earned as a tough, no-nonsense person is really a human being just like the rest of us. That means he has feelings and experiences pain. When Josh Daniel, 21, auditioned for the U.K. show, the X Factor, he dedicated the song to his friend that had passed away in 2013. The song he chose was Labrinth’s “Jealous.”

During the performance, Cowell can be seen fighting back the tears and eventually losing that battle. According to Hello, this audition was filmed on shortly after Simon’s mom had passed away at the age of 89 (she died on July 5, 2015). It is a long audition clip, but in the end, you will see that Simon wasn’t the only judge in tears.

Grab a tissue, it is likely that you will need it! Daniel got a standing ovation for his performance.