Carly Rose Sonenclar, then 13 years old, appeared like any anxious schoolgirl when she entered The X Factor USA stage in 2012. She was quiet, small in relation to the judges’ table, and nearly too shy for such a significant occasion. When the music began, nobody anticipated what would happen.
Her choice of song was daring: Nina Simone’s well-known rendition of “Feeling Good.” It’s the type of classic that typically highlights rather than conceals flaws. However, Carly’s voice sounded rich, in control, and remarkably mature for her age from the first phrase. She didn’t simply mimic the original; rather, like a seasoned soul singer, she crafted each phrase, rising from a gentle, smokey beginning to a massive, spine-tingling finale.
The audience gave her a standing ovation by the time she struck the last note. Each of the four judges followed suit. Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid went so far as to claim that a celebrity had been born on that platform, while Britney Spears referred to her as a “little diva.” In addition to advancing Carly directly to the next round, that audition helped her finish as the season’s runner-up and go on to become one of the most significant contestants in the show’s history.
Her “Feeling Good” performance is still viewed millions of times on the internet over ten years later, and it’s frequently mentioned as one of the greatest X Factor auditions ever. This shows that sometimes the smallest candidate may have the largest voice in the room.
