Entertainment
Judges Squint When Bookworm Reveals Song Choice, But Her Powerful Vocals Leave The Crowd In Awe
When the quiet girl stepped on stage and revealed her song choice, the judges weren't quite sure what to expect.
Jessica Adler
06.14.19

Sometimes a performance is so good it earns a spot in conversations years after it’s over, and that is exactly the case with Danie Geimer and her X Factor USA audition.

Danie emerged in the third season of the X Factor in 2013 with an awkwardness about her that had judges doubting whether or not she had what it takes to stand out of the crowd.

A proud and devoted bookworm, the seemingly unremarkable teen admitted to having troubles socializing with others, preferring to catch up on the latest articles in Neuroscience instead.

“When most girls are going off to hang out with their friends or go to mall, I’m usually in my room reading. I read about [topics] like neuroscience,” she explains in the video of the preinterview to her audition below.

Youtube screenshot/The X Factor USA
Source:
Youtube screenshot/The X Factor USA

After sharing that she was more the quiet type, the then 15-year-old girl walked across the stage and stood in front of the judges with a shy appearance and spoke in a quiet, humble manner that didn’t exactly scream “rockstar!”

Then, she told the panel of celebrity judges that she was going to sing one of the most widely recognized and powerfully vocalized songs there is; The House of the Rising Sun.

Youtube screenshot/The X Factor USA
Source:
Youtube screenshot/The X Factor USA

Needless to say, Geimer’s song choice shocked the panel of judges, which was only comprised of three that day due to Simon Cowell’s absence. Even with Simon gone, though, Geimer’s performance would have to inspire at least two “Yes” votes from presiding judges Kelly Rowland, Paulina Rubio, and Demi Lovato.

So, when the seemingly demure teenager said she wanted to perform an all-time great that hinges on raw, powerful vocal skills the judges were taken aback by the song choice so at odds with Dani’s awkward appearance.

Youtube screenshot/The X Factor USA
Source:
Youtube screenshot/The X Factor USA

Immediately after announcing her intimidating performance piece, the camera pans to judge and now-solo artist, Kelly Rowland, whose expression says it all.

You can tell by her face that the former Destiny’s Child superstar had some serious doubts about Dani’s ability to pull off one of the most iconic songs from the 1960s. Paulina, on the other hand, seemed to be inspired by the hopeful teen’s courage:

“Good luck, baby!” Paulina encourages.

The judges may have been full of doubts at the start, but that all evaporated the moment Dani opened her mouth and sang the first notes.

Youtube screenshot/The X Factor USA
Source:
Youtube screenshot/The X Factor USA

From the minute that Geimer began her performance, all the doubt of the judges had turned around.

Hitting the first few notes perfectly, the audience cried out in hollers and whistles, encouraging the teen from Northridge, California to belt it out from the heart, and that is exactly what she did.

Each of the judges watched with their mouths agape, unable to believe that such a powerful voice could bellow out of the lungs of this shy, quiet-natured young girl.

Youtube screenshot/The X Factor USA
Source:
Youtube screenshot/The X Factor USA

The real shocker was still in store for the judges and the enormous audience.

As Geimer became noticeably more comfortable after the first few bars of the song, she settled into herself and let her natural flare come out, bringing body movement into the performance as well as the raw power of her voice.

When she hit the peak of the song, the teen growled out the lyrics to House of the Rising sun with such amazing power, it left the crowd and judges completely and utterly mesmerized.

Youtube screenshot/The X Factor USA
Source:
Youtube screenshot/The X Factor USA

The abject shock that Geimer’s performance left everyone in was written all over the judge’s faces, and Kelly couldn’t hold herself back from pouring out her praises on the girl.

“Miss Thing, you are IT!” Kelly excitedly proclaims to Geimer.

After her powerhouse audition, Geimer effortlessly glided into the contest with a “Yes” vote from all three judges.

To see the performance that landed her on the third season, watch the video below.

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