Tiah Toliver, a 19-year-old deli clerk with dreams of global stardom, delivered one of the most polarizing auditions in the history of the competition. Walking onto the stage with a vibrant personality and “steel in her eyes,” she initially performed an a cappella version of “Impossible” by Shontelle. While Simon Cowell was immediately struck by her potential, the other judges were less convinced, citing issues with her vocal consistency and the lack of a backing track.
The audition quickly turned into a heated debate among the judging panel. LA Reid and Demi Lovato felt that Tia’s performance was vocally “off” and lacked the professional polish required for the next stage. However, Simon was adamant that Tia possessed a raw, untapped talent that could lead to greatness, even calling the other judges “deaf” for not recognizing her “X Factor.” After the panel initially delivered two “no” votes, the tension in the room reached a breaking point as Simon refused to let Tia leave the stage.
In a last-ditch effort to save her dream, Tia performed a second song, “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing),” showcasing a completely different side of her vocal ability. Under immense pressure from Simon and the roaring encouragement of the audience, Nicole Scherzinger eventually decided to follow her gut and changed her vote to a “yes.” Tia’s persistence, backed by Simon’s unwavering support, proved that sometimes a second chance is all it takes to turn a “no” into a life-changing opportunity.
