IT’S not often a busker on the streets of Glasgow garners much more than a passing comment and a few quid.
But Esosa Max-Who’s rendition of the Gloria Gaynor classic I Will Survive has garnered thousands of likes and heaps of praise after one famous passerby felt compelled to post a video of her performance online.
Still Game actor Gavin Mitchell took to Twitter to share his experience of watching her sing.
He said: “This young woman on Sauchiehall St was astonishing today! What a set of pipes, this clip doesn’t do her justice”
Yet despite more than 300,000 people seeing the video and complimenting her voice (and dancing), Maxwho was entirely unaware until she was contacted by a journalist at The National. She didn’t have an account on Twitter.
This young woman on Sauchiehall St was astonishing today ! What a set of pipes , this clip doesn’t do her Justice ! 🎤🎵 pic.twitter.com/4Umzw41PMU
— Gavin Mitchell 🇺🇦 (@GavsterNo1) August 10, 2023
“I didn’t even know the video was out there!” she said. “But when I saw it I was so pleased because that’s what makes me happy: singing and seeing people have a good reaction. I appreciate it so much.”
The 27-year-old grew up in Italy before moving to Glasgow seven years ago.
She started busking around four years ago as way of making some pocket change while she studied. Now, with degrees in both anatomy from the University of Glasgow and bioscience from the University of the West of Scotland, she’s taking a break from working in a lab and finding more time to do what she loves.
“When you start busking in the middle of Glasgow it can be quite nerve-wracking,” she said. “I felt very embarrassed at first.
“But I always think to myself: is it more embarrassing to just stand here and do nothing or just start dancing and get on with the song?
“Plus, Glaswegians are so friendly. They always talk to me and I make new friends all the time.”
While evidently prepared for life as a scientist, Maxwho said she would also love to have a career as a musician.
“My goal is to make an album and write my own songs. Little by little I’m making connections so with the help of other people one day I hope to make it happen”.
The reaction to her performance may bring that dream a little bit closer.
As one Twitter user asked: “How is it possible that this young lady doesn't have a multi-million-pound record deal?”
It's not the first time Max-Who has went viral. In 2019, Cher invited her backstage to her concert after sharing her performance of a Whitney Houston song online.
Esosa Max-Who’s posts videos of her performances online on her Instagram and Facebook.
