The Top Ten on “The X Factor” will take the stage this week to sing for America’s votes. Among those in the Top Ten is 24-year-old Latin singer Carlito Olivero.
Olivero, who is half Mexican and half Puerto Rican, said, “I had never seen a Latino on ‘X Factor’ so I thought ‘maybe they’re just not looking for one.’ I’m certainly not the first Latino who’s tried to audition. So I told myself that if I made it through that first live audition, I would represent my Latinos.” A Chicago native, he moved to Los Angeles in 2010 and had been working as a coffee shop barista and recording his music on his own, before competing on the show.
After his first audition, Simon Cowell said, “I actually like everything about you. I like your voice. I like your charisma. I think you’re really good.” As a member of judge Paulina Rubio’s team, Olivero has sung songs by Santana, Selena, and Gloria Estefan, keeping true to his word about representing his Latin heritage throughout the competition.
“The X Factor” airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. EST on Fox. Tune in tomorrow as the competition heats up!
