The judges were immediately drawn to the young Florida pair Alex and Sierra when they entered the X Factor USA stage because of their unmistakable attractiveness. They talked about their two years of dating and how they thought their unique chemistry would make them stand out from other performers before they started performing. Simon Cowell was initially concerned that their performance would be “corny,” but the duo disproved everyone’s expectations by selecting an extremely daring and surprising song for their debut.
The mood in the room changed dramatically as soon as they started playing Britney Spears’ “Toxic” acoustically and sensuously. They had a slow, private arrangement with ethereally lovely harmonies that emphasized their close bond. Sierra’s strong, breathy vocals and Alex’s fluid guitar playing produced a completely unique rendition of the song. The duet transformed a pop dancing song into a nuanced vocal display, and the judges watched in quiet, clearly in awe.
The panel’s comments were overwhelmingly positive, and Demi Lovato acknowledged that she felt shivers down her arms and legs the entire time. Their captivating theatrical presence was lauded by Kelly Rowland, and even the infamously challenging Simon Cowell said that he thought they were “cool and quirky.” They were given four unanimous “Yes” votes, which set them on the course to win the competition as a whole. Since their audition demonstrated that genuine artistry can transform any song, it continues to be one of the most watched moments in the show’s history.
