Owen Stuart was 16 when he auditioned for The X Factor USA. His family had moved from Buffalo, New York to Charlotte, North Carolina, and the move pulled him away from his girlfriend, Tori.
Before the music started, he told the judges that this one was for Tori. He sang “Airplanes,” and he delivered every line with quiet focus, as if he was singing straight to her. 🎶
The judges were split. Britney Spears said it did not wow her and gave him a no. Demi Lovato said every girl in the room wished she was Tori, and L.A. Reid liked how committed and focused he was.
Simon Cowell added the third yes, and Owen was through. A song for someone who could not be in the room became the moment that kept his dream alive. ❤️
