Denise Weeks: Subway Singer Turns In Amazing Performance On ‘The X Factor’

Denise Weeks has made a living singing for tips on the New York City subway, but now the mother of two has a much bigger audience.

The powerful-voiced singer was the hit of the night on part two of The X Factor season premiere.

Viewers were first introduced to Denise’s amazing back story. The single mother of two college students, Denise said she decided to sing on subways as a way to make some cash, but never thought she would be able to take her career further.

With the feel-good story established, viewers were then introduced to Denise’s amazing voice. She gave an acapella performance of the Whitney Houston song “Greatest Love of All” that had the judges raving.

“Guess what, The X Factor’s been waiting for you,” Simon Cowell told Weeks after the performance.

Judges Kelly Rowland and Demi Lovato agreed.

“I feel like one day you’re going to be singing in front of lots and lots of people,” Lovato said.

Denise Weeks is not the only feel-good story of The X Factor season so far. In the first part of the season premiere, 54-year-old grandmother Lillie McCloud turned in a powerhouse performance of the gospel song “Alabaster Box.”

McCloud also earned the praise of judges.

“Where have you been hiding?” Rowland asked.

Due in part to her unlikely background — the grandmother of seven had been a club singer in Miami but was never able to catch her big break — McCloud became a fan favorite and video of her performance went viral online.

Fans of Denise Weeks and Lillie McCloud will likely get more chances to see the fan favorites, who have both advanced along to the next round of the singing competition.