A 13 year old girl with a frizzy bob nervously steps onto the stage, but when Simon asks what she will sing, her cryptic reply

13-year-old Rachel Crow stunned The X Factor USA with her powerful performance of Beyoncé’s “If I Were a Boy.” Despite her “shy demeanor and frizzy hair,” her soulful voice and emotional depth left everyone in awe.

She had already impressed with Duffy’s “Mercy,” but though she was eliminated in the quarterfinals, her performance “went viral, amassing over 40 million views.” Her talent led to a record deal, a top-20 EP, and Nickelodeon roles.

Today, Rachel “continues to shine” as a singer and entertainer. If you haven’t seen her X Factor performance, “it’s a must-watch!”