Drew Ryniewicz, a 14-year-old student from Chino Valley, Arizona, delivered one of the most memorable and unique auditions in the history of The X Factor USA in 2011. Before her performance, Drew shared her deep admiration for Justin Bieber, even revealing that she once wore a purple shirt just to get noticed by him. Her quirky personality and youthful innocence immediately charmed the judges, but no one was prepared for the artistic maturity she was about to display. When she announced she would be singing a slow, acoustic version of Justin Bieber’s “Baby,” the judges were intrigued but skeptical.
The second she began to sing, the entire arena fell into a stunned silence. Drew completely reinvented the upbeat pop track, turning it into a haunting, soulful ballad that felt deeply personal. Her vocal control and ability to convey raw emotion were far beyond her years, capturing a “magical” quality that left the panel and the audience mesmerized. As her performance reached its emotional peak, judge L.A. Reid was seen smiling in disbelief, while Simon Cowell watched with intense focus, recognizing that he was witnessing a truly original artist.
The feedback from the judges was overwhelmingly positive, with Simon Cowell famously stating that Drew was “one of the best” they had seen. L.A. Reid praised her for her bravery in changing such a famous song, and Paula Abdul was moved by the sincerity in her voice. Drew received four enthusiastic “Yes” votes, moving on in the competition as a breakout star. Her audition remains a masterclass in creativity, proving that true talent lies in the ability to take something familiar and make it entirely your own.
