Jennel Garcia, 18, appeared to be a normal small-town girl next door when she first appeared on The X Factor USA stage. She was quiet, a little anxious, and almost too kind for a competitive talent show. The judges, which included Simon Cowell and Demi Lovato, were obviously unsure of what to anticipate when she introduced herself as a teenage girl from Massachusetts who simply loved rock music.
Everything changed when Grace Potter & the Nocturnals’ “Paris (Ooh La La)” opening riff began to play. Nobody anticipated Jennel’s explosive stage presence and gritty, deep vocals when she launched into the song. The timid girl was gone, replaced by a self-assured rock star who worked the stage, tossed her hair, and struck every note with poise and confidence. Within seconds, the audience moved from being inquisitive to yelling.
Like the crowd, the judges were taken aback. Simon appeared very impressed, and Demi was beaming as she saw a young artist take over her path. At the conclusion of the performance, Jennel got everyone in the room standing and received four resounding “yes” votes, making him immediately a front-runner for the season. It was the type of sensational audition that demonstrates how inaccurate initial impressions may be and how a lady from a small town can truly shine on a large stage.
