'The X Factor's' Carly Rose Sonenclar's Advice for Contestants; Talks Simon Cowell & Demi Lovato 'High Standards' [EXCLUSIVE]
Carly Rose Sonenclar was runner-up last season on The X Factor so speaking from experience, she gave some advice to contestants competing in season 3 of the FOX show, which premiered Wednesday.
The 14-year-old spoke to Enstars at SELF Magazine's Women Doing Good Awards, held the same night as X Factor's premiere for the new season. Relaying words of wisdom for those who advance past the auditions round, Sonenclar said one of the most important things to do is savor the experience for what it has to offer.
"Just kind of enjoying it and taking everything in, and just realizing how incredible it is to even get to each stage [in the competition]," she said. "i think that's really important and to be prepared."
'The X Factor' USA Season 3 Recap VIDEO
The season begins with the auditons process but in reality the singers in some of the advances stages are already picked out. Sonenclar talked about those memories of seeing herself on the television screen and said contestants should enjoy the journey as much as they can.
Season 3's judging table includes new faces Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio sitting beside Simon Cowell and Demi Lovato. Cowell has been a part of the show since season 1 and when asked what she thinks of the veteran judge Sonenclar said, "he's incredible."
"He tells you sometimes what you don't wanna hear and sometimes what you want to hear, but I think that the most important thing about him is that he tells you what's true," she explained. "He's not gonna sugar coat anything for you and I think that's very important."
The teen added that Cowell and Lovato may be the toughest to impress of all the judges.
'[They] are both kind of hard to please. Demi's a singer so she has very high standards and Simon, he's discovered some of the most incredible acts in the world so he also has high standards. So I think the stakes are high for everyone."
Sonenclar's career as a singer catapulted after she competed on the show and she credited "everything" to X Factor, saying, "i wouldn't be where i am right now without it."
"That's [also] really important to keep in mind and not get too much of a big head and realize, you know, you wouldn't be here without it."
