GREENVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) -
She's a familiar face in Greenville, and now a familiar face on national TV as well.
Greenville native Tara Simon is a competitor on season two of the X Factor, a reality TV music vocal competition that airs on FOX Carolina.
Life on reality TV has been a roller coaster for Simon. Last week she
was chastised for her choice of revealing outfit by the show's creator,
Simon Cowell.
But there's more to the woman some have called the show's resident "bad girl" than meets the eye.
She's a seasoned vocal coach in Greenville and Atlanta and she says what we see on TV isn't always reality.
"Students will call me up and say, 'We know your character, we don't
even have to know what happened on the show, we know that's not who you
are,'" said Simon.
Simon said she started singing in church when she was 3 years old,
and singing in that venue feels like home to her. While in Greenville,
Simon made a stop at Thrive Church in downtown Greenville to give a
special performance.
"Greenville has been so supportive, they've been behind me 100 percent and super excited for me, that means a lot," said Simon.
The vocal coach has been teaching lessons in Greenville for years,
and while it's helped prepare her for the show, she said the competition
is grueling.
"You feel like you are going to war and fighting for you life," said
Simon. "Even though it's simply a vocal competition, they make you feel
like you are going to die if you don't make it through."
While this season continues, Simon has got a lot of fans here in Greenville, backing her up.
"I've always enjoyed competition shows, and knowing someone in it
makes that much more exciting to see where it takes her," said Steven
Soto.
X Factor airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. on FOX
Carolina. The contestant that wins the competition will be awarded with
a $5 million music contract.
Copyright 2012 FOX Carolina (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
Tara Simon performs at Thrive Church in downtown Greenville. (Oct. 7, 2012/FOX Carolina)
