Carly Rose Sonenclar talks Starlight Foundation, album news at NYC gala

Thursday March 14, 2013 9:09 PM By Kirthana Ramisetti

Photo credit: Elizabeth Daza | Carly Rose Sonenclar attends the Starlight Children's Foundation gala at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.(March 14, 2013)

Carly Rose Sonenclar spoke with Newsday Westchester on the red carpet at Thursday night’s gala for the Starlight Children's Foundation, which helps children with serious illnesses.

Sonenclar, a Mamaroneck resident and the runner-up on the second season of "The X Factor," is a longtime supporter of the organization. She said that the foundation was important to her because of the kids, whom she called “amazing.”

“I don’t know if it would be the same with other foundations where I’d get to have a personal relationship with the kids,” she added. ”With this foundation, I get to talk to them and hang out with them, and that’s really the most important part.”

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The 13-year-old also talked about Simon Cowell’s company Syco Music picking up her recording option earlier this month.

“We’re looking for the right label for me to go with,” Carly Rose said. “I’m really excited. I’m just really happy about that.”

As for where fans can see her next, Carly Rose suggested that they go online for the latest news about her public appearances. “I have a couple of concert dates I’ll be posting on my website. Follow me on Twitter, I’ll keep posting updates on there.”

At tonight’s event, Sonenclar is expected to sing Nina Simone's "Feeling Good," which was her audition song on the reality TV show.

She's also slated to join several children from the Starlight foundation and their siblings in singing Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," which she performed during the show's final week.

During the final week of "The X Factor" competition, supporters from the foundation could be spotted among the Carly's Angels fans to gather at Stepinac High School in White Plains. At that rally, White Plains resident Colleen Plunkett told Newsday Westchester that Sonenclar visited her 8-year-old son, Ke, at a previous event for the foundation.

"Carly's great," said Plunkett, whose son held a sign that included a picture of him with Sonenclar during her visit. "She calls him, emails and sends videos."

Sonenclar's gala performances will be a part of the foundation's 28th annual fundraising event, which will take place this year at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Manhattan. According to the event press release, the foundation aims to help seriously ill children "cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities."

With Chris Serico and Elizabeth Daza

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