Wayne Rogers will battle it out in the finals of Australia's Got Talent tonight but he is already a celebrity in his home town of Wallsend.
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The female impersonator has been embraced by the community where he has worked as a hairdresser for 20 years.
During a photo shoot with The Herald in the main street of Wallsend yesterday drivers were beeping their horns in support of Rogers and yelling out "We love you Wayne". Shoppers were stopping to have their photos taken with the 52-year-old entertainer.
Shopkeepers will wear feather boas today and put signs in their store windows urging customers to vote for Rogers.
Hairdresser Julie Pike, of Julie's La Patite Wallsend, Kylie James, of Wallsend newsagency, and Margaret Walker, of 2nd Edition clothing, have been instrumental in rallying support for the talented vocalist.
"It's unbelievable. I've had people ranging from little kids to adults come up to me and wish me luck," Rogers said.
The Wallsend Town Committee has arranged for Rogers to open the Wallsend Winter Carnivale on Sunday, August 14. He will sing two songs on a float while travelling down Nelson Street.
The Channel 7 wardrobe department has dressed Rogers for his finals.
If he makes it through to the next round, Rogers will be the first female impersonator to ever reach the grand final of Australia's Got Talent in five seasons of the show.
Following his performance on Prime7 tonight, viewers will be able to vote for the singer until lunchtime tomorrow.
Ten competitors will go through to the grand final, which will take place on Tuesday July 26.
The final two competitors will compete in a live decider show on Tuesday, August 2.
