'The X Factor' judges have high praise for Jennel Garcia - Boston Globe

Britney Spears attends "The X Factor" auditions at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence. (Photo by Paul Marotta/Getty Images)

Never mind Britney Spears and Simon Cowell, the real star of “The X Factor” auditions this week at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence was Jennel Garcia, 18, from Rochester, Mass. Our spies say Garcia’s rocking rendition of Grace Potter’s “Paris (Ooh La La)” got a lot of love from the judges, with L.A. Reid calling Garcia a “feisty little fireball” and Demi Lovato lavishing praise on her pipes. “The most promising act I’ve seen out of this competition so far,” Lovato said. “I had a girl crush in Austin [where the show previously taped]. I think you’re my new one.” Even Cowell, who’s not easy to impress, seemed sold. “What’s in the water here?” he said. “Let me tell you, sweetheart, you are in the money. What’s missing in the pop charts is a young Pat Benatar.” Of course, you’ll have to tune in to see if Garcia made it to the next round.

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