Former "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell told newly crowned winner of the show's 12th season Candice Glover that she would be "a lounge" singer the last time he cut her from the show.
The determined songstress who describes herself as a "church girl" used the confidence-crushing critique, however, as fuel to power her to an inspirational win three years later.
Her debut album, Music Speaks, scheduled for release by Interscope Records on July 16, is already available for pre-order on iTunes.
"I always knew for some reason that it would happen if I kept going," said Glover shortly after she won the singing competition last Thursday. She had previously tried out for the show's ninth and 11th seasons and got as far as top 60 in the competition last year.
But in a subsequent interview with Jay Leno on NBC's "Tonight Show," Glover who at one time struggled with confidence revealed that the last time she met with Cowell three years ago he skewered her potential.
"Season nine, he was not a fan and he told me that I would be a lounge singer and I would, like sing in a hotel lobby and people would eat peanuts and turn their heads," said the 23-year-old from St. Helena, S.C.
"Like he pretty much painted a picture about how unsuccessful I would be but I honestly thank him for that because he pushed me to do better and come back and win three years later," she said to cheers from Leno's audience.
Glover, who has been praised as a "powerhouse" soul singer, has been compared to former "American Idol" reject Jennifer Hudson whom Cowell also crushed on the show.
