Greenville native Lindsey Benedict may find herself performing in Hollywood in front of Simon and Paula in the not-too-distant future.

Benedict, who is currently a music teacher and owner of Music Lessons Express in Tallahassee, Fla., won the Tallahassee “pass-through” audition for the upcoming television talent competition “The X Factor.”

The daughter of Charlie and Margie Kennedy, Benedict’s top honors in Tallahassee earned the vocalist an all-expense paid trip to Dallas, Texas for the open regional competitions May 25 and 27.

She was one of 87 performers who showed up for the Tallahassee audition.

“All performances were a cappella. I sang ‘In a Dream’ by the 1980s blues/rock group Badlands. Choosing the song was the hardest part of the whole thing,” Benedict said. “I have been performing for a long time, and this is probably the most exciting thing I’ve ever done.”

“The X Factor” originated in the United Kingdom where it has enjoyed huge success. Its U.S. debut is scheduled for the week of September 12. Simon Cowell, famed as the toughest judge during his years on “American Idol,” is one of the new show’s panelists and the show’s executive producer. Paula Abdul, another former “American Idol” judge, will be joining Cowell on the panel.

“The X Factor,” unlike “American Idol,” has no upper age limit for performers, and duets and groups are permitted, not just soloists.