Chatting up ‘X Factor’ phenom Carly Rose Sonenclar
The World Series is booting “The X Factor” from its Wednesday/Thursday lineup on Fox this week (and possibly next), but we caught up with the very busy Carly Rose Sonenclar and the Mamaroneck phenom talked about last week’s episode, when Britney Spears put her through to the live shows.
To refresh your memory, here is that moment, on video:
Question: That moment when you’re sitting there, waiting to hear if you’re moving on, and Britney says you did well, but that she’s worried about you handling the pressure. It sounded like you might be going home there for a bit. It looked like you were really worried. Tell me about what you were feeling and how happy you were when you got her OK.
Carly: “I was very confident in my performance. I knew I had given it everything I could, but you never know what they are going to do – so I was nervous. When she told me I was through it was the happiest time on the show so far. Making it to live shows is huge!”
Question: Now it’s on to the Top 16. Are you rehearsing for the live show now? Take us through your day yesterday. What was on your schedule?
Carly: “Yes we are very busy! Yesterday we had a full day photo shoot and a little shool. On vocal rehearsal days my call is usually 8:30am and I have vocal rehearsals until 5:30 and then an hour of school. It is exhausting but fun. Some days we have five straight hours of school and that is pretty hard, but worth it.
Question: You told me last week that you didn’t have too much contact/input from Britney for the show at her home. Has that changed now? Can you tell us something she’s told you, a piece of advice or wisdom she has shared?
Carly: “Britney is getting more involved in song choice now. After I work with the producers she decides what the final song is that I will sing on the show. I haven’t had a chance to sit down with her yet since we have been here but at her house she told me that since she started out when she was so young that she really understands what I am going through which really helps.”
Question: You must be doing a million interviews. What’s the silliest thing you’ve been asked so far?
Carly: “I usually get asked pretty generic questions. I was asked once if I get compared to Carly Rae Jepsen. I never really get compared to her, but people to mistake our names for each other’s sometimes because they are kind of similar.”
Question: I know you can’t reveal what songs you’ll be singing, but are you getting a say in what you sing?
Carly: “Sometimes yes and sometimes no!”
Question: We’ve never really talked about your voice teacher. Who is your coach? Are there things he or she taught you that are coming in handy in this whole process?
Carly: “My vocal teacher is Amelia DeMayo. I have been going to her since I was in Les Mis on Broadway when I was seven years old. She is amazing and a savior when I need help with song choice or technique. I owe so much of my success to her.”
***
“The X Factor” returns with “the live shows” on Thursday, Nov. 1, followed by a second Live Show on Sunday, Nov. 4. Both will air at 8/7c on FOX, Channel 5 in New York.
Here’s a cute video of how the Final 16 broke the news—and who they called.
