When 13-year-old Reed Deming stepped off the bus and onto The X Factor USA set, he instantly turned heads. With his signature side-swept hair and effortless cool, fans, producers, and fellow contestants immediately began comparing him to international pop icon Justin Bieber.
Coming all the way from San Antonio, Texas, the seventh-grader made it clear that he was willing to do whatever it took to make his musical dreams a reality.
“I’ve never wanted something as much as I’ve wanted this… I will willingly crawl on broken glass!” — Reed Deming
However, standing in front of celebrity judges Simon Cowell, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, and L.A. Reid, Reed had to prove he was far more than just a famous lookalike.
The Moment Simon Cowell Stopped the Music
Reed initially launched into Bruno Mars’s track “It Will Rain.” But just a few bars into the backing track, Simon Cowell abruptly raised his hand and cut the music off.
Simon wanted to strip away the overproduced background beat to hear Reed’s raw, unpolished vocal ability. Challenged on the spot, Reed pivoted to a stripped-down, piano-only version of Bruno Mars’s “Grenade.”
Singing under intense pressure, the young performer pushed through his nerves and delivered a soulful, passionate performance that completely turned the room around.
What Made This Audition Stand Out?
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Nerves of Steel: Handling a sudden song stoppage on live television with poise and focus.
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Breaking the Stereotype: Proving to the panel that he possessed his own unique artistic identity beyond the Bieber comparisons.
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Massive Star Potential: Radiating natural charisma and stage presence that won over the arena instantly.
“We Could Be Looking at a Future Pop Star!”
The judges were deeply impressed by how Reed handled the intense pressure. L.A. Reid acknowledged the heavy Justin Bieber comparisons, noting that Reed’s main challenge would be carving out his own path, while praising his massive personality.
Simon Cowell was equally struck by his sheer determination:
“You’ve got steel in your eyes, young man. I think we could be looking at a future pop star with you!” — Simon Cowell
Britney Spears and Demi Lovato couldn’t resist his charm either, awarding him enthusiastic endorsements. With unanimous approval, Reed earned 4 YESes and advanced straight to the next round!
Audition Quick Breakdown
| Detail | Info |
| Artist | Reed Deming |
| Age / Location | 13 / San Antonio, Texas |
| Initial Song | “It Will Rain” by Bruno Mars (Cut off by Simon) |
| Second Song | “Grenade” by Bruno Mars (Stripped-down piano version) |
| Judge Reaction | Unanimous 4 YESes from Simon, Britney, Demi & L.A. Reid |
Watch the High-Stakes Audition
See how the 13-year-old handled Simon Cowell’s sudden twist on YouTube:
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