Carly Rose Sonenclar wows judges on 'X Factor'

Friday September 14, 2012 9:50 AM By Kirthana Ramisetti

Photo credit: Getty Images | Carly Rose Sonenclar attends the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival Family Screening of "Hoodwinked Too" at Clearview Cinemas Chelsea in Manhattan. (April 23, 2011)

Carly Rose Sonenclar, a 13-year-old from Westchester County, auditioned on “The X Factor” Thursday night, wowing the celebrity judges with her performance of Nina Simone's bluesy standard, “Feeling Good.” Her powerful performance brought judges Simon Cowell, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato and L.A. Reid to their feet.

Spears was first to speak, telling Sonenclar that “you are a little diva, and as you can see, all of us are completely in love with you.”

Lovato praised her for being confident and effortless, while Cowell and Reid were amazed by her young age and, as Reid put it, “her old soul.”

"A star has just walked out on that stage," Cowell said.

Based on reactions onTwitter, the Mamaroneck resident wowed the audience watching from home, too. Twitter user @itsapopod wrote: "13 years old, really? I now officially have an early favorite. Front-runner Carly Rose! #STAR #XFactor."

User @therosberry agreed. "That Carly girl on #XFactor just brought tears to my eyes. Literally cried. Season over. She needs her own show,"  she wrote.

For her part, Sonenclar, accompanied to the Providence, R.I. audition by her parents, was excited and upbeat, and after her performance said “I’ll remember that for the rest of my life.”

The young singer received unanimous “yes” votes from the judges, and will go on to compete in the next round of the competition, the “boot camp” round.

Tags: Mamaroneck , Carly Rose Sonenclar , TV , X Factor , Westchester