Stone Martin, a 14-year-old student from the tiny town of Hartsville, South Carolina, stepped onto the X Factor USA stage with an infectious blend of nerves and determination. Before his performance, he admitted that the largest crowd he had ever performed for was around 600 people, making this massive stage his biggest challenge yet. Despite his young age, Stone displayed a remarkable level of focus, telling the judges that he truly believed he had what it takes to win the entire competition.
Choosing the soulful ballad “Little Things” by One Direction, Stone managed to capture the audience’s hearts from the very first note. His soft, melodic tone and natural charm created an immediate connection with the crowd, particularly the younger girls in the audience who were seen “freaking out” during his performance. Even though he had never performed on such a professional platform before, Stone’s stage presence felt effortless, proving that he possessed a raw, “star glow” that is rarely seen in performers his age.
The judges’ feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with Simon Cowell notably pointing out Stone’s incredible likability and potential for stardom. Demi Lovato and Kelly Rowland were equally impressed, with Demi mentioning that Stone’s life was about to change forever. After receiving four enthusiastic “Yes” votes, Stone left the stage as a newly discovered sensation, leaving the judges convinced that they had just found a future pop icon.
