X Factor Recap: Gene Simmons' Daughter Sophie Auditions and Steps Out of Dad's Shadow

Plus, read about some of the amazing talent that was found tonight along with a traumatic event surrounding 13-year-old Trevor Moran

By Bruna Nessif Sep 27, 2012 2:25 AMTags
 THE X FACTOR, Sophie Simmons, Shannon Tweed, Gene Simmons Ray Mickshaw/ FOX

The X Factor trucks rolled through Providence, R.I., tonight, for what we first thought would be a bust.

After giving out more noes than we could count, L.A. Reid, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato and Simon Cowell seemed to start regretting their decision to search for talent in this city.

But that didn't last long. 

This small town was full great gems, starting with 15-year-old Dinah Jane Hansen. The soulful singer gave a powerful rendition of Beyoncé's "If I Were a Boy" that got Reid saying, "I have to tell you, you took that thing to places that even Beyoncé didn't take it!"

"This is why we came to Providence, to find someone like you," Simon told her, and just like that, she was in. 

The next performer to make quite an impression was a familiar face. Cutie patootie Arin Ray, 16, made it to the finals last season, but came back to try and win it all. Before he even said anything, the ladies of the crowd fell for that dimpled smile, and even Demi said, "You're cute!"

What made him even cuter was the fact that he actually had talent. Ray sang an original song called "Count on Me" and killed it. "Arin, I don't know what's happened to you in the last 12 months, but something definitely happened because you're a different person," Cowell told him as he gave Arin his fourth yes.

The judges then moved to Greensboro, N.C., to search for some more voices that seemed worthy of boot camp. 

From the "adorable" 16-year-old Austin Corini to 20-year-old janitor Nick Youngerman (who got Britney up on her feet dancing to Vanilla Ice's "Ice, Ice, Baby"), Greensboro had a good number of contenders. 

One of the most emotional contestants, David Correy, pulled at our heartstrings after sharing his story of how he hopes his voice will reconnect him with his birth mother. After singing Bruno Mars' "Just the Way You Are," he'll have a chance to make it happen, because everyone loved him. 

In San Francisco, we met rocker Gene Simmons' daughter, Sophie Tweed-Simmons, who made it very clear that she didn't want to be stuck in her father's shadow, but because of that last name, all the judges knew who she was. Regardless, after her performance of Adele's "Make You Feel My Love," L.A. and Simon both said they want more from her, but she passed with three yeses (Reid was her only no).

Ray Mickshaw/ FOX

Oh, Tara Simon, what are we going to do with you? The vocal coach clearly had an amazing voice, and earned four yeses from the judges after performing David Guetta and Usher's "Without You," but what they didn't see was her mean-girl comments about Sophie Tweed-Simmons backstage. We predict some catfights in the near future.

Our hearts smiled at the sound of Daryl Black's voice when he took the song "Stereo Love" by Gym Class Heroes and made it his own. He almost gave it a Christmas tune, so of course that makes us feel cheery. Simon compared him to Nat King Cole and said, "If you're smart and do something that's unique and different from everybody else, there's a place for you." Four yeses later and he was on his way!

Of course, the episode ended with leaving us on our toes. Young Trevor Moran, 13, who was seen goofing around before auditions, ended up nearly passing out right before he was called. The crew mentioned they would need to call the paramedics, but we don't know what's going to happen because it's to be continued! Ugh!

Who stood out to you tonight? Let us know in the comments!

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