With her blonde curly hair, cowboy boots and southern twang, it wouldn’t be difficult to mistake Rion Paige for a young Taylor Swift. But in addition to her T-Swift-like talents, the 13-year-old singer also inspired the “X Factor USA” audience with her powerful story.
Not only is the Jacksonville, Fla. teen almost completely blind in her right eye, but she also has arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, a condition which causes the joints in her hands to curve.
“Sometimes, I just get really frustrated whenever I can’t accomplish something that I think [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][sic] I could,” explained Rion. “So music helps me to be able to explain my feelings.”
Doing just that, the teen took to the stage where she performed Carrie Underwood’s country hit “Blown Away,” on Wednesday’s “X Factor USA” season 3 premiere. Watch Rion’s incredible audition in the video above.
“Rion, I’m just so impressed with you right now and I cannot believe the struggles you have had and how positive you are,” said Demi Lovato after a standing ovation from the judges. “I think everybody in this room can learn something from you today.”
“I think you’re literally extraordinary,” agreed Simon Cowell. “I really do.”
Needless to say, Rion easily made it to second round.
Consider us blown away, too.
[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
