Carly Rose Sonenclar, then 13 years old, appeared like any anxious schoolgirl when she took the stage at The X Factor USA in 2012; she was quiet, small, and nearly too shy for such a significant occasion. When the music began, nobody anticipated what would happen.
Her daring music selection was Nina Simone’s well-known rendition of “Feeling Good.” It’s the type of classic that typically highlights rather than conceals weak points. However, Carly’s voice sounded rich, in control, and incredibly mature for her age right from the opening phrase. Instead of just replicating the original, she, like a seasoned soul singer, crafted each word, developing from a gentle, smokey opening to a massive, spine-tingling conclusion.
The audience stood in a standing ovation as soon as she struck the last note. Each of the four judges followed suit. Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid went even farther, claiming that a celebrity had been born on that platform, while Britney Spears referred to her as a “little diva.” In addition to advancing Carly directly to the next round, that audition helped propel her to the season’s runner-up and, ultimately, reputation as one of the most significant competitors in the show’s history.
Her “Feeling Good” performance, which has been re-recorded millions of times online over the past ten years, is frequently regarded as one of the greatest X Factor auditions ever, proving that sometimes the smallest contender has the largest voice in the room.
