Rachel confidently made her way to the middle of the stage to meet the judges, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger, and L.A. Reid, before the audition started. It was obvious that Rachel had something unique from the first note. The judges were clearly struck by her passionate performance of the song and her rich tone, which quickly captivated the crowd.

Originally a smash for Duffy, “Mercy” is a jazzy pop ballad with a blues influence that requires emotional intensity and vocal control. With a mature performance that made the song feel new and distinctively hers, Rachel did more than merely sing it—she owned it. She had a captivating stage presence, faultless vocal runs, and unadulterated emotion in every word. Her ability to transition fluidly between delicate, vulnerable passages and powerful, full-throttle chords was what most impressed.

The judges erupted in cheers as she concluded. Known for his scathing criticism, Simon Cowell was obviously impressed with Rachel’s performance; he referred to it as “the best audition so far” and acknowledged that he was taken aback by her maturity and talent. They enthusiastically voted to advance her to the next round after he, Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger, and L.A. Reid all praised her talent and zeal.

One of the most memorable scenes from season one of The X Factor U.S. was Rachel’s rendition of “Mercy.” In addition to setting the tone for her journey on the program, her audition helped her build a devoted fan base and become one of the season’s most notable candidates. Even though Rachel Crow placed fifth in the competition, her audition is still seen as a pivotal moment in X Factor history, demonstrating the strength of undeveloped, unadulterated talent.