When 13-year-old Carly Rose Sonenclar stepped onto The X Factor USA stage in 2012, she looked like any nervous schoolgirl — soft-spoken, tiny next to the judges’ table, and almost too shy for such a huge moment. No one expected what would happen when the music started.
Her song choice was a bold one: “Feeling Good”, famously sung by Nina Simone. It’s the kind of classic that usually exposes weak spots, not hides them. But from the very first line, Carly’s voice came out rich, controlled, and unbelievably mature for her age. She didn’t just copy the original — she shaped each phrase like a seasoned soul singer, building from a soft, smoky opening into a huge, spine-tingling climax.
By the time she hit the final note, the entire audience was on its feet in a standing ovation. All four judges did the same. Britney Spears called her a “little diva,” while Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid went even further, saying that a star had been born on that stage. That audition not only sent Carly straight through to the next round — it helped carry her all the way to runner-up of the season and later earn recognition as one of the most influential contestants in the show’s history.
More than a decade later, her “Feeling Good” performance is still replayed millions of times online and often cited as one of the best X Factor auditions ever — proof that sometimes the biggest voice in the room comes from the smallest contestant.
