Last month, Rochester resident Jennel Garcia was voted off of FOX’s talent TV show “The X Factor.” Now, the 18-year-old is back home and ready to ring in the holidays with her hometown fans.

More than 200 residents gathered on Monday night for the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Town Hall.

After being invited by the town's Selectmen, Garcia was on hand to sing a few carols with the Rochester Memorial School choir as well as to sign many, many autographs. Despite the cold weather, the young singer spent 40 minutes meeting and greeting her fans.

The tree lighting ceremony was a homecoming for Garcia who was voted off of “The X Factor” on November 15. Garcia had been one of the final 12 contestants.

Of her return to Rochester, Garcia said, “For the first few days after I was voted off I was really hard on myself. But, coming home, feeling the cold air hit my face after months in Los Angeles and seeing my friends and family, I’m realizing who I am. It’s a return to normal life.”

Normal life may be something of the past for the aspiring rock star. Garcia said she is greeted by fans nearly everywhere she goes - from the grocery store to the mailbox outside of her family’s home.

Garcia said she is taking it all in stride with a lot of humility.

“I think it’s awesome,” she said. “I’m proud I inspired others and proud to be a part of my hometown. It’s a girl’s dream to be looked up to as a role model. Everything in Los Angeles was surreal. I was on cloud nine. Back home I’m a real person and that’s refreshing.”

As a kid, Garcia said she found role models in female rock stars such as Joan Jett and Pat Benatar.

Rock and roll has been her passion ever since, she said.

Since she has returned home, Garcia has been busy recording an album in New Bedford. Her album, due out in February, is pure rock music, she said.

“I’m always going to stick to rock and roll,” she said. “I’ve never really seen myself as a cookie cutter pop singer.”

To see Jennel Garcia singing carols with the Rochester Memorial School choir, check out the video below.