When 10-year-old Sophie Lennon decided to record herself singing to send to her grandfather, she could have never imagined that in only two years she would be starring on the West End or singing for crowds across the world on TV.
The schoolgirl from Mayobridge in Co Down, now aged 12, is set to compete for a chance to represent Ireland on Junior Eurovision on Sunday.
Her proud mother Theresa credits Sophie's whirlwind singing success to the moment she decided to share the video of her daughter singing 'O Holy Night' with Belfast Live.
Read more: Giant solar system trail coming back to Northern Ireland in 2023
After 134k likes, 60k shares and millions of views on the original post, Sophie is taking the singing world by storm and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Theresa said: "Sophie started singing when she was about nine and was just singing in school and everyone was loving it. She won a competition in school and the principal said that we should be putting her in singing lessons.
"Two years ago at Christmas, my daddy used to sing in bands and loves 'O Holy Night' and asked if Sophie would sing it on video for him. She of course said no problem to her granda and I recorded it and he said it was so brilliant that we should share it.
"I put it up and it got sent to Belfast Live and then it went viral - it just blew up. From [Belfast Live] sharing it, it just spiralled and everything went from it."
You can watch the video below...
Sophie's voice ended up travelling all over the world thanks to social media and it wasn't long before she was snatched up by a top talent management company in London.
"It has been a bit crazy - she won BBC School Soloist of the Year this year and was on Junior Eurovision last year after they saw her singing on Belfast Live and asked her if would she compete.
"She got the highest mark in the history of the competition in her heat and got right through to the final," Theresa explained.
From singing in her home to shining on London's West End, Sophie has appeared in a number of shows including 'Children of Eden' with music and lyrics by 'Wicked' composer Stephen Schwartz.
Theresa continued: "After Christmas, she got an audition for a brand new musical development called 'Marine and the Kaleidoscope' and two hours after her audition, she was cast in the main role.
"It was the composer of some of the Harry Potter films Simon Etchell and he cast her so she is back and forth to London and it will kick off next year."
"Sometimes I wonder is it all real," she laughed. "We don't push her into anything, it sort of all just fell into us and we are going with the flow."
Sophie is also a registered young carer for her older brother who is disabled.
Theresa added: "She is such a good wee girl and she is great help to me and this has given her something else to focus on and me too and gives us a great lift.
"I am so proud of her and I just can't believe it too. She is only 12 and she really enjoys it. It's been great to watch her take it all in her stride.
"Her education is still number one and thank goodness she does brilliant in school and hasn't had to miss much. Last year I could have never believed this all."
Sophie will appear on Junior Eurovision on Sunday, October 9 on TG4 at 8pm.
READ NEXT:
Grand Opera House announces Cinderella as its Christmas panto 2022
Belfast's 'greatest punk story' Good Vibrations coming back in Belfast next year
Circus Extreme coming to Belfast next month as part of world tour
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here
