The X Factor’s Jennel Garcia is thisclose to heading to the Fox singing competition’s live shows… But she’ll have to knock off two talented young adults to get there.
During the final day of boot camp, X Factor judges Simon Cowell, Demi Lovato, Britney Spears and L.A. Reid whittle down the number of remaining contestants/acts from about 60 singers to 24.
Garcia, who wowed the judges during auditions with her first spicy rendition of Grace Potter & The Nocturnal’s “Paris (Ooh La La),” and the rest of the singers/groups were brought on stage in their respective categories (teens, young adults, over 25s and groups) with the 18-year-old half-Puerto Rican singer finding herself in the super competitive group of 17-to-24-year-olds vying for one of only six spots.
Despite losing some of her luster during her sing-off against the more classically trained Tara Simon, Garcia was picked as one of the teens to advance to the next round and audition all over again at Lovato’s house in Los Angeles, where the X Factor judge – with help from her friend and guest judge Nick Jonas – would pick four singers to take to the live shows.
“I really am like praying that this audition goes well and that I nail it,” said Garcia, adding that her first audition with the judges was probably the best day of her life. “I’m just one step away from making everything I ever wanted happen.”
Prior to taking the stage, or in this case the floor in Lovato’s living room, Garcia received a visit from Lovato, who complimented her on her Incredible stage presence, but advised her to watch nerves.
Shortly after proclaiming it “the audition that matters the most,” Garcia performed her rendition of Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” for Lovato and Jonas. Despite a solid performance, it seemed that Lovato’s advice to not nervously over flip her hair seemed to mute Garcia’s standard sauciness.
Facing stiff competition from her fellow competitors, will that performance be enough to move Garcia, the lone Hispanic solo artist left in the competition, to the next round? We’ll have to wait ‘til Thursday night to find out.