It’s time for Mariah Carey to share the holiday spotlight, as her reign as the Queen of Christmas has officially been dethroned. The new torchbearer isn’t a rising pop sensation but rather an imposing Aussie NFL player named Jordan Mailata.
Standing at a towering 203cm and weighing 166kg, Mailata is a force on the football field, playing for the Philadelphia Eagles as an offensive lineman where he dominates his opponents, ensuring they stay far away from his quarterback, Jalen Hurts.
However, don’t let Mailata’s imposing and physical presence fool you, because this 26-year-old former rugby league player possesses the voice of an angel.
Recently, Mailata and his teammates, Lane Johnson and Jason Kelce, took the internet by storm with their rendition of Mariah Carey’s iconic Christmas song, “All I Want For Christmas.” They uploaded a clip of their performance to TikTok, which has garnered over 5.3 million views, leaving Kelce in stunned disbelief at Mailata’s singing prowess.
This holiday tune will be featured on “A Philly Special Christmas,” their second album, following the release of a seven-song debut album last year.
Mailata’s foray into the world of singing isn’t entirely new. He burst onto the American scene when he appeared on season 7 of “The Masked Singer US” as “The Thingamabob.” During his time on the show, Mailata wowed audiences with renditions of songs like “Wanted Dead Or Alive” by Bon Jovi, “Classic” by MKTO, and a spine-tingling version of Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect.”
The Aussie athlete has been passionate about singing since his youth and has previously showcased his talents on the Eagles’ social media platforms.
Mailata’s journey to NFL stardom is an extraordinary one. Initially a promising rugby league player, he emerged through the NFL’s International Player Pathway program. He was selected by the Eagles with a seventh-round pick in the 2018 draft, despite having never played American football before.
Over the years, he dedicated himself to mastering the intricacies of the sport, and in 2023, Mailata’s rise reached new heights as he became one of the NFL’s top-rated offensive tackles.
Currently, the Philadelphia Eagles sit at the top of the NFC standings with an impressive 8-1 record for the season, making their holiday-themed music even sweeter.
Originally published on news.com.au