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Simon Cowell Looked Terrified! You Won’t Believe the Voice Hiding Behind This Shy 13-Year-Old!
Imagine a shy 13-year-old girl standing in the middle of a massive arena, facing some of the toughest critics in the world. Carly Rose Sonenclar, a student from Westchester, New York, looked like any other middle-schooler when she first stepped onto The X Factor USA stage in 2012. However, the moment she began her rendition of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good,” the entire atmosphere transformed.
An Unexpected Soul
Instead of a typical teenage pop vocal, Carly delivered a performance filled with mature, soulful depth and incredible control. Her rich, bluesy tone was far beyond her years, proving that she possessed a rare, world-class talent. By the time she reached the climax of the song, the entire crowd was on its feet.
Why the judges were left in absolute disbelief:
• The Depth: Her voice sounded like it belonged to a 40-year-old jazz legend rather than a 13-year-old.
• The Confidence: She performed with an effortless ease that blew the judges’ minds.
• The Song Choice: She chose a difficult classic and made it entirely her own.
Simon Cowell’s Shocking Reaction
The judges’ reactions were nothing short of ecstatic. Simon Cowell looked genuinely stunned by the magnitude of her voice. He even joked that there must be someone behind a screen singing for her because the talent seemed too good to be true.
L.A. Reid declared that a star was born that day. Carly received four enthusiastic “Yes” votes and went on to become one of the most iconic contestants in the show’s history.
This audition remains a masterclass in raw talent, proving that age is just a number when it comes to true greatness.
