When 13-year-old Carly Rose Sonenclar, a student from Westchester, New York, took the stage at The X Factor USA in 2012, her modest demeanor and bashful grin provided no indication of the power she was about to unleash. Many young performers find it difficult to cope with the pressure of such a large arena, so when she first introduced herself to the judges, they appeared interested but maybe a little doubtful. Carly, on the other hand, maintained her composure while expressing her love of music and her desire to share her talent with everyone.
As soon as she started performing Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good,” the entire atmosphere in the room changed. Rather of singing like a normal adolescent pop star, Carly’s performance was so full of mature, soulful depth and amazing control that it left the judges and audience in complete shock. She had a unique, exceptional gift, as evidenced by her deep, bluesy tone and seamless ability to strike soaring high notes that were well beyond her years. As soon as she hit the song’s peak, everyone in the audience stood up, realizing they were watching the birth of a superstar.
L.A. Reid and Simon Cowell were clearly taken aback by the sheer volume of her voice, and the judges’ reactions were nothing short of joyful. Britney Spears and Demi Lovato were equally struck by her talent, and Simon reportedly said he couldn’t believe such a mature voice was coming from a 13-year-old. Carly finished as the season’s runner-up after garnering four resounding “Yes” votes, making her one of the most memorable competitors in the show’s history. When it comes to actual greatness, age is just a number, as demonstrated by her audition, which continues to be a lesson in talent.
