NEED TO KNOW
DuaneAJ discovered his passion for music as a child and pursued it professionally after competing on The X Factor
He now performs in care homes, using music to bring joy and connection to residents and their families
Sharing his journey online has gained him nearly 100,000 followers and global recognition for his work
DuaneAJ discovered his passion for singing at a young age. Growing up in Cornwall, England, he was always looking for an audience, happily performing for family members whenever he had the chance.
As he got older, singing became more than a childhood hobby. He joined a local theater group and spent years performing in musicals before taking a leap of faith in 2006 by auditioning for The X Factor. He made it all the way to the final 50 contestants at Simon Cowell‘s bootcamp, a milestone that only strengthened his determination to pursue music professionally.
“I was inspired by TV talent shows such as Popstars and Pop Idol,” DuaneAJ tells PEOPLE exclusively. “Watching them every week with my parents and grandparents sparked my ambition and fuelled my dream of pursuing a career in music.”
“Those moments, and the artists I admired along the way, have all played a significant role in shaping my musical journey,” he adds.
DuaneAJ performing at an elderly home.Credit: DuaneAJ, @thecarehomesinger
That dream eventually led him to share the stage with well-known acts including East 17, 911 and The Cheeky Girls. Yet despite years spent pursuing a career in music, it wasn’t a concert or television audition that ultimately changed the course of his life.
In 2016, DuaneAJ returned home after completing a contract in Mallorca, where he had spent months touring the island in a rock show for an entertainment agency. Eager for whatever came next, he instead found himself facing an unimaginable loss.
“Sadly, around that time, I lost my gran after she was admitted to hospital and passed away during surgery,” he says. “It was an incredibly difficult and emotional period in my life.”
In the weeks that followed, he found himself reevaluating what he wanted his career — and his music — to mean.
“Her passing made me reflect on how I wanted to use my talent,” he says. “Rather than simply pursuing a career as a pop singer, I wanted my music to make a real difference and give something back to the community.”
DuaneAJ performing.Credit: DuaneAJ, @thecarehomesinger
That realization inspired him to launch his own business performing in local care homes, using music to bring comfort, joy and companionship to residents.
Nearly a decade later, DuaneAJ, 37, spends his days traveling between care homes across Cornwall, typically visiting five each week and performing one show a day. Looking back, he says changing careers was “one of the best decisions” he’s ever made.
“It’s a job I absolutely love, bringing music, memories and plenty of smiles to the residents.”
For DuaneAJ, every performance begins long before he sings the first note. He arrives early to set up his sound equipment and spends time chatting with residents and staff, making sure everyone feels included before the music starts.
“I like to get a feel for the room, find out if anyone has a favorite song, and make everyone feel included before the show begins,” he says.
Once everyone has settled in, he opens with an upbeat, familiar song, encouraging residents to clap, sing and dance along. As the music continues, he moves throughout the room, singing directly to residents, dancing with them and stopping to chat between songs.
Over the years, it’s those moments of connection that have stayed with him the most.
“I’ve seen residents who rarely speak suddenly sing every word to a song they remember from their younger years,” he says. “I’ve watched people who have been sitting quietly begin smiling, clapping, dancing and interacting with those around them. Families have thanked me for giving them precious moments with their loved ones that they never thought they’d see again.”
“That’s when it really hit me that I wasn’t just entertaining people — I was creating moments of happiness, bringing back memories and helping people reconnect through music,” he continues. “Knowing that I’ve been able to brighten someone’s day, even for just an hour, is the most rewarding part of what I do, and it’s why I still love every single performance.”
For years, those moments were experienced only by residents, their families and care home staff. Then, about two years ago, DuaneAJ decided to begin sharing them online.
At first, he says, he didn’t think anyone would be interested. Today, nearly 100,000 people follow his journey on TikTok, with many of his videos reaching millions of views.
“So many people connect with the videos because they’ve lost a loved one themselves, or they tell me the songs I’m singing remind them of a parent, grandparent or someone special who would have loved to hear them. It’s amazing how music can bring back so many memories and emotions.”
DuaneAJ dancing while performing.Credit: DuaneAJ, @thecarehomesinger
As his audience grew, he realized the videos were doing more than simply reaching viewers online — they were also becoming meaningful keepsakes for families.
“Some relatives live too far away, are based overseas, or simply find it too difficult emotionally to visit in person,” he says.
“Being able to watch a video and see their loved one smiling, singing along or enjoying themselves gives them real comfort,” he adds. “They can see that they’re happy, engaged and being well cared for, and that’s something I’m incredibly proud to be able to share.”
The impact has stretched far beyond Cornwall.
“One of the things I love most is reading the comments from people all over the world,” DuaneAJ says. “Sometimes I forget just how far the internet can reach. It’s incredible to know that videos filmed in care homes here in Cornwall are being watched by people across the pond in America and as far away as Australia.”
“It’s so heartwarming to read messages from people who tell me my videos have made them smile, reminded them of a loved one, or simply brightened their day. Those comments mean so much to me and remind me why I share my journey.”
But reaching a wider audience has also opened him up to criticism.
“Unfortunately, I do receive negative comments from people who don’t understand what I do,” he says. “Some have even accused me of being cruel or ‘torturing’ the residents, saying they’ve been through enough, or calling me a terrible person.”
DuaneAJ singing.Credit: DuaneAJ, @thecarehomesinger
DuaneAJ says the reality couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Every care home I perform in invites me because they know the positive impact live music has on their residents,” he says. “I perform with the full support of the homes, the staff, the residents and their families, and seeing the smiles, singing, dancing and joy on people’s faces speaks for itself.”
Still, he refuses to let the criticism overshadow the impact he sees every day.
“I’ve learned that you can’t please everyone, and that’s okay,” he says. “I choose to focus on the thousands of kind messages and the difference music makes to the people in the room. At the end of the day, if I can make someone smile, bring back a happy memory or brighten even one person’s day, then that’s what truly matters.”
Read the original article on People