When James Martin was born, doctors told his parents that he might never speak. However, he did not only learn to speak, but 31 years later, on his birthday, he walked on Hollywood’s biggest stage to collect his Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film, An Irish Goodbye. James became the first actor with Down syndrome to win an Academy Award. And, as icing on the cake, the entire audience sang “Happy Birthday” to him.
James Martin never let his condition hold him back.
James Martin’s father, Ivan Martin, is very proud of his son and revealed that he does everything with great gusto, and he’s very glad that his efforts have paid off.
“He has spent his life pushing the envelope. People are very good at saying, ’You can’t do this, and you can’t do that’… He’s done it, and he does it consistently,” he said.
Martin is the first person with Down syndrome to win not just a BAFTA but an Oscar too, and he’s very proud of himself. “It doesn’t matter if you have Down syndrome, as long as you’re doing what you do. I do what I can to be funny,” he said.
His girlfriend also supports him and says the win was a magical moment. “It shows to everyone that it’s changing your mindset on how people with disabilities can achieve as much as everyone else can,” she declared.
For the past 10 years, Martin has been working at Starbucks.
His co-workers and manager at Starbucks are very proud of Martin and his acting success, and to support him, good-luck posters were placed in the coffee chain’s city stores.
However, Martin’s dad revealed that despite the fame, he doesn’t see his son quitting his job as a barista anytime soon.
Martin caught the acting bug after he joined the Belfast-based Babosh theatre company for children with learning disabilities.
There, Martin did all types of shows, and he enjoyed every moment spent there. This was a stepping stone for him, as he later managed to land the lead role in Ups and Downs, starring alongside actress Susan Lynch.
Martin then went on to land a role in the series, Marcella, but his role in An Irish Goodbye, which won him both a BAFTA and an Oscar, is his most high-profile role to date.
Preview photo credit MICHAEL TRAN/AFP/East News, An Irish Goodbye / First Flights and co-producers
When Josh Groban And Andrea Bocelli Melted Hearts With Beautiful Duet
“We Will Meet Again,” an enchanting duet by Josh Groban and Andrea Bocelli, is a masterpiece of music.
The fascinating duet “We Will Meet Again,” which features the legendary vocals of Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban, is sure to move you. The audience will probably be left in tears and profoundly moved by this performance, which is resonant with beauty and emotional depth.
An Aural and Visual Adventure
Josh Groban’s YouTube site is where the world first heard this captivating duet. The video delivers an immersive experience with a variety of musicians and swirling lights in the background. The performance is elevated and becomes more than just a song thanks to the soul-stirring music and amazing images.
A Friendship That Lasts Two Decades and Results in Music
It’s incredible that Bocelli and Groban only recently worked together on this duet, considering their 20-year friendship. Both Andrea Bocelli’s and Josh Groban’s albums, “Si” and “Bridges,” feature the song.
Enshrined in the Magnificence of Portovenere
The film was recorded in Portovenere, a charming Italian hamlet close to Pisa. Scenes of the performers rehearsing for the show begin, and it moves between beautiful cityscapes and the artists in action with ease.
An Internet sensation gone viral
The internet has been enthralled with this duet, and fans have expressed their admiration and feelings. Remarks range from emotions of excitement and thankfulness for such a musical gift to compliments on the exquisite images and the singers’ wonderful vocals.
Watch the video below to be treated to this breathtaking duet by Josh Groban and Andrea Bocelli. Whether you’re seeing it for the first time or the second time, it’s a worthwhile experience.
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