Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream contestant Owen Johnston wowed fans with his romantic rendition of When All Is Said And Done, sending the theater hopeful straight to the final.
14 contestants have been battling it out on ITV‘s Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream for a chance to star in the 2024 production of the West End classic. After seven weeks, just four competitors remain and Owen Johnston is a clear favourite for Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream after his heartfelt performance of ABBA’s When All Is Said And Done.
WATCH: Owen Johnston’s emotional Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream performance
Sunday night’s semi-finals (December 3) saw a double elimination, resulting in the elimination of Craig Watson and Stephanie Costi, who sang Take A Chance On Me and Angeleyes, respectively. During the crucial stage, Johnston, 25, opted for the gentle song When All Is Said And Done, rather than a vocally challenging track to show off his pipes.
The song details the divorce of ABBA couple Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Benny Andersson, and both the judges and the public praised Owen for his “thoughtful and sensitive” portrayal.
Judge Alan Carr complimented the actor’s ability to “make people feel special and feel invested in the story.” Glee star and Olivier Award winner Amber Riley added: “You were generous to your partner but when it was time for you to take your moment, you took your moment.”
A YouTube fan said: “He’s by far the best. His vocals impeccable and the emotion he gives is so wholesome, he makes me feel things.”
Owen performed with professional dancer Yasmin Harrison.
Owen was embarrassed about his love for Mamma Mia!
Belfast native Owen has been a Mamma Mia! fan since at least age 10 when he watched the musical movie three times in cinema – a fact he was hesitant to tell friends.
“The 10-year-old boy who was scared to tell his mates in his classroom that he’d seen Mamma Mia! three times at the cinema would be beside himself! It means the world,” he said of the competition. “For so many people who have backed me over the years, I owe it not only to myself but all of them as well. It would be an incredible feeling to win.”
Owen, 25, began dreaming of a career in theatre after his mother took him to watch Phantom Of The Opera in London and started singing lessons at age 13.
The budding star went on to graduate with a degree in musical theatre from the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. In 2022, he starred as Sweeney Todd in the horror musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The original 2007 film stars Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter.
Johnston also portrayed Vittoria Vidal in Italia Conti’s production of Sweet Charity.
