X Factor runner up Carly Rose Sonenclar shows off her stuff in this slow, soulful rework of the Brit boy band’s testament to young love, Stole My Heart, dedicating her ivory tickling to cousins Sarah and Rachel, whose father passed away this Spring.
The thirteen-year-old singer, who came second on last year’s The X Factor, is preparing to create her first album.
Carly Rose Sonenclar was called the “the petite girl with a large voice” by Britney Spears. Extremely impressed by Sonenclar’s rendition of Rolling in the Deep on X Factor, Simon Cowell referred to her as “the finest aliens I have heard sing ever.” Now, the youthful singer from NY, who was second best to Tate Stevens country singer, is getting set to create her first album.
Thirteen year old Sonenclar said, “I have been doing a great deal of writing and Simon Cowell’s firm has given me a recording contract. I have been extremely thrilled by that.”
A surprising non-elimination: Sonenclar and Stevens were quite successful on the X-Factor, however Sonenclar revealed that on each episode, she told herself that she would be eliminated, particularly in the episode before the finale. “I got into the restroom and rehearsed what I would say when I get eliminated,” said she. “I totally believed I would be knocked off. Then I returned to the stage, and I waited for it to happen, and my name was called, that I will be advancing to the next stage. It was completely irrational. I was flabbergasted.
The writing thing: Now that Simon Cowell has given Sonenclar a recording contract, the singer has started working with Autumn Rowe her vocal coach on the show and producer Toby Gad. “I write by myself all the time,” said she. “It is not really important if I write alone or not. I have access to a piano at home. I can write all alone and practice with the piano. So when I actually have to practice with someone, I can present something nice.
Back at school: Sonenclar, who is in seventh grade, went back to her school in NY, following the conclusion of The X Factor. However, she would almost certainly not make a good science project partner. “For instance, I had lots of projects this week, and I could hardly work on the projects with other members of my group because each day after school I had to be in the city,” said she. The singer is already well known among her 7th grade classmates, however things are quite different with the younger students in 6th grade, says the singer. “Sometimes when I am walking by, I hear my name mentioned – ‘That is Carly Rose Sonenclar!. With time, I know I will get used to that, people gazing at me whenever I am walking through the halls. Such things are a bit strange, but I guess it is a good thing.”
A versatile player: Hearing Sonenclar speak about her desire to venture into acting, and maybe even feature in a full length movie, it would appear she sounds no different from all other singing contest participants who have an unrealistic career expectations – until one considers what she has been able to achieve. The singer got her first opportunity to act during an off-Broadway run of Night of the Hunter. This resulted in her playing young Cosette for a year and six months, in Broad ways’ Les Miserables. “It so happened that the casting executive for Les Miserables knew someone from Night of the Hunter,” said Sonenclar. One evening they were among the spectators and he said, “I would like her to try for Cosette.’ I did just that and I got the role.” She has also played roles in The Sisterhood of Traveling Pants II, re-launch of Electric Company by PBS and The Nanny Diaries.
An indication of what is to come: Maybe Sonenclar was destined to participate in a singing contest: At age 3, she sang along to American Idol’s debut season, to the delight of other members of her family. She did this especially when Nikki McKibbin and Kelly Clarkson were performing. “Members of my family would sit in front of the television, watching the show, and depending on whether I intended to present a performance or not, I will be facing the television or facing them,” said she. “I sang along, not exactly the words used by the singer, but what I believed seemed like what the performer was singing. Thus, right there and then everything would be entirely made up. However I never acknowledged that. I acted as if I had it all planned out and I did it in a professional manner.
The type of songs she will be singing: Last month, Sonenclar performed during the Gannett Front exhibition to promoters in NYC, but the singer has not started recording her album. That is why she cannot yet give specific details regarding how her songs might sound. “Each time someone throws this question at me, I normally mention the 5 artists who have the greatest influence on me, and they are Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Ellie Goulding, Adele and Maroon 5.”If I could blend their different styles together, that is how the album would sound.”
Carly Rose Soneclar is one of the names that has rocked 2012 and seems to be doing so through this year. The x-factor star is making waves even after coming second in one of the most prestigious talent shows in America. Carly Rose Soneclar was born in 1999 and lived in New York most of her life. She always dreamt of being a star as clearly shown for her love for music and performing arts. As she grew up, she took many music classes, piano lessons and acting classes to add to her passion. All this seemed to pay off as she ventured into the world of fame with her acting and singing skills. Carly Rose Soneclar started singing when she was two imitating performers in the renowned talent search show American Idols. She has one brother and enjoys playing soft ball besides music and arts. She is also Jewish in descent. Her rise to the world of stardom began when one of the music teachers recommended her to a New York agency that promoted talent and she got signed immediately.
Carly Rose Soneclar began acting in 2006. She is known for her roles in Les Miserables where she took the role of Cosette and also showed up in Wonderland as daughter to Alice, Chloe. She has also made appearances in the Little House on the Prairiet, a Musical. She was also a regular in The Electric Company and her voice is a common sound in some of the most renowned sporting event where she has sang national anthems. Her appearance in Wonderland roared up a fire when she began being noticed by the high and the mighty in the industry. She appeared in the New York Times and was refereed to Charles Isherwood a famed theater critic as a girl with a ‘preternatural singing voice’. She also featured in a Sony CD as one of the soloists and was later named in 2011 as the best performer her age. She has also been a TV guest in a number of stations including NBC News, ABC News and WPIX Morning News.
The X factor USA audition saw her singing ‘Feeling Good by Nina Simone and received a four judge standing ovation. Her You Tube video hit 30 million viewers and the win saw her into the boot camp. She later did the ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ song and went thru to the next stage. At top 16 she did “Good Feeling” and made it through. She went through the nest stages with ‘Over The rainbow’; Rolling in the Deep and in the grand finale she did ‘Feeling good’, ‘Hallelujah’ and ‘How do I Live’.
Carly Rose Soneclar is currently working on her album but has featured in a number of songs with other artists. She is working with Autumn Rowe and Toby Gad who are some of the most successful producers. They have also worked with Alicia Keys, Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Clarkson, Cher Llyod, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato. She is a rising star that may are still looking forward to hear from and watch this year.