Josh Levi appeared to be a young, self-assured competitor with a lot to prove when he took the stage on The X Factor USA in 2013. At the age of 14, he picked Selena Gomez’s “Come & Get It,” a song that no one had anticipated. Since most people don’t think this kind of song will become a memorable vocal moment, it alone was enough to draw attention.
However, the atmosphere completely altered as soon as he began to sing. Josh added a new twist to the song, giving it a smoother, more soulful feel that some commentators claimed even reminded them of Bruno Mars and young Michael Jackson. He immediately felt more like a person with genuine star potential and less like “just a kid singing a hit.”
The combination of control and age was what made the audition stand out. Josh not only got it through a dangerous song choice, but he also made it his own. He was highlighted in several articles as one of the standout young performers from that audition round due to the overwhelming online response.
Sometimes all it takes to have folks take a second look is one unexpected song. As a 14-year-old contender, Josh Levi made a lasting impression on the judges and the audience.
