Carly Rose Sonenclar readies for final 8 on 'X Factor'

Wednesday November 28, 2012 7:59 PM By Chris Serico

Photo credit: Ray Mickshaw / FOX | Mamaroneck resident Carly Rose Sonenclar performs "Over the Rainbow" on "The X Factor."

Carly Rose Sonenclar, the 13-year-old singing phenom from Mamaroneck, is set for the next round Wednesday after advancing to the final eight on "X Factor" last week, coming out above Tate Stevens and topping the leaderboard for the first time.

Although Carly Rose had a great night, two of her team Britney teammates didn't fare as well. Both Arin Ray and Beatrice Miller were eliminated from the teen team last week. Heading into the final eight, two contestants remain on each of the mentor's teams: Carly Rose and Diamond White from Britney Spears' teen team, Emblem3 and Fifth Harmony from Simon Cowell's groups team, Tate Stevens and Vino Alan from L.A. Reid's over 25 team, and CeCe Frey and Paige Thomas from Demi Lovato's young adults team.

Before the Thursday elimination episode, Carly Rose delivered another emotional performance with her rendition of "Over the Rainbow" on Wednesday night's Thanksgiving-themed episode of the TV talent show, dedicating the song to her older brother, Russell Sonenclar. "I'm really blessed that you are my brother, so this one is for you," she said.

Starting the song a cappella, Sonenclar crescendoed as accompaniment swelled around her. The crowd roared as she belted her final note, which faltered slightly but not enough to result in any criticism from the four mentors.

"You are a force of nature," Reid said.

"You're just amazing, and you're going to be around in this music industry for the rest of your life," Lovato said.

"I've heard that song a lot of times," said Cowell, who predicted she'd finish atop this week's voting results. "That was one of the best versions of it I've ever heard."

"I will never get over the fact that you're 13," Spears said. "It's unreal. You are unreal."

In the package that aired right before Sonenclar's performance, she credited her brother for being a calming force when she was 10 and her mother had a stroke (from which her mother since has recovered).

"My brother was telling me that everything happens for a reason," Carly Rose said. "And just really helping me, and making me ... realize how lucky I was to have him."

Russell Sonenclar, a college student, surprised his younger sister on the set of "The X Factor" yesterday. When she told him she'd be dedicating the song to him, he replied, "Oh, that's awesome! Thanks, Carl!"

About halfway through Wednesday's show, Khloe Kardashian Odom interviewed Sonenclar. After Sonenclar said she "couldn't wait" to perform, Kardashian Odom expressed support that went above and beyond the usual wish for good luck. "I hope America votes you to the No. 1 spot," Kardashian Odom said. "I think you are amazing."

If you missed Wednesday's performance, check out the video below. Here's hoping Carly Rose keeps impressing the judges and the voting public.

Tags: Mamaroneck , Carly Rose Sonenclar , The X Factor , X Factor , TV , reality TV , music