Carly Rose Sonenclar advances to 'X Factor' live rounds

Wednesday October 17, 2012 9:01 PM By Kirthana Ramisetti

Photo credit: Fox | Carly Rose Sonenclar performs in front of the judges in the season premiere of "The X Factor." In the audition, she performed Nina Simone's bluesy standard, “Feeling Good.”

Carly Rose Sonenclar, the 13-year-old teen from Mamaroneck, has advanced to “The X Factor’s” live voting rounds as a member of Britney Spears’ “Teen” team.

“Britney just has to say one word to make me happy, or one word to make me upset,” Sonenclar said on Wednesday night’s episode before meeting with Spears to hear her decision. “Live shows [are] like the big time, and I want to get there really badly.”

Sonenclar got her wish. After Spears praised her “stunning” voice from her performance of Karmin’s “Brokenhearted” that aired last week, she said she wasn’t sure whether the Westchester County teen could handle the pressure of the competition.

PHOTOS: Reality stars from the Hudson Valley
VIDEOS: Kidsday video: Carly Rose Sonenclar | Kidsday visits the set of KidZone TV
MORE: Carly Rose advances on 'X Factor' | Carly Rose impresses Britney on 'X Factor' | Carly Rose Sonenclar finds stardom on 'X Factor'

But in the end, Spears chose Sonenclar to join her team along with Diamond White, Arin Ray and Beatrice Miller.

“Britney Spears just put me on her team for the live shows,” Sonenclar said after hearing the good news. “I’m so excited.”

Sonenclar is one of 16 total contestants -- four from each of the judge's teams -- who will make it to the live voting rounds, which begin airing Nov. 1. The last singer standing will win the grand prize, a $5 million recording contract.

Sonenclar received additional good news earlier this week when she learned that she received A-list status on social media: She has been verified on Twitter. Sonenclar, who has racked up more than 32,000 followers, has been tweeting with her regular Joe and Jane fans and her celeb admirers.

Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, a Marlboro native, was among the show’s viewers singing Sonenclar’s praises on Twitter after her “Brokenhearted” performance last week. So to celebrate Sonenclar moving on to the next round, here’s our roundup of five of Sonenclar’s biggest celebrity fans, according to Twitter. 

Melissa Gilbert knows a thing or two about child stardom, having played Laura Ingalls on the popular "Little House on the Prairie" series. The actress also starred with a very young Sonenclar in the "Little House on the Prairie" musical in 2009 and 2010, so Gilbert is understandably proud of her former co-star.

Holly Robinson Peete, a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College best known for appearing on the TV shows "21 Jump Street" and "Celebrity Apprentice," is another fan of Sonenclar. The Westchester County teen politely thanked Peete for her best wishes.

Karmin, a pop duo consisting of Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan, gave a thumbs up to Sonenclar for her cover of the duo's song.

And even Britney Spears and will.i.am took to Twitter after Sonenclar's performance aired last week to share their awe over her talent. 

After Wednesday night, it seems that will.i.am's prediction has a chance to come true, and we'll find out when the live shows begin in November. So make sure to check back then for our continued coverage of the rising star.

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