As The X Factor kicks into high gear with the Top 12 competition, and voting by YOU, we thought you’d enjoy a closer look at Paula Abdul’s catagory, the “groups”: The Stereo Hogzz, InTENsity, and Lakoda Rayne. Check it out!
The Stereo Hogzz
The Stereo Hogzz are the only group in the Top 12 that came into this competition as an established group, so they’ve had a lot of experience performing together. Find out what they’re learning most from Paula, what it’s like for them to peform up on the X Factor stage, and how Vodoo and the Superbowl come into play when they watch themselves on TV.
InTENsity
For the new group InTENsity, Paula’s teachings have been invaluable. The group shares Paula’s 4 phrases for success, and explains how Paula’s personal experience with Michael Jackson has served as a key teaching moment.
Lakoda Rayne
Lakoda Rayne has quickly become a group with a beautiful unifed sound, but at the heart of the group you’ll find four individual women with different backgrounds. We asked them to reflect on their own individual journeys and share what “experience” they feel has had the biggest impact in molding them into the women they are today:
How far will these groups go? Who will be crowned the winner of The X Factor? It’s now up to you! Catch The X Factor Wednesdays & Thursdays on Fox, watch your favorites take the stage and perform, and then don’t forget to vote for the ones you think have “The X Factor”!
Last week The X Factor’s Simon Cowell blew many viewers away when he told Chris Rene that he wasn’t the best singer in the competition, but was the best recording artist of the bunch. We asked Simon and L.A. to explain the difference between the two, and asked Chris Rene to weigh in on the comment. Tonight, the judges hand over the voting over to you. So the question is, Who’s going to make it to the end? Who are your favs? The voting starts this week! So catch the Top 12 perform LIVE on The X Factor tonight at 8PM ET/PT on Fox and then vote!.
Patrick Stump, lead singer of Fall Out Boy, has a new project of his own. He came out with “Soul Punk” in October and he admits it was a lot easier to work on a record all on his own. He described the process as, “easy and fun.” He’s gained a different identity through the experience and told us, he had his role in Fall Out Boy but that wasn’t always all the music he ever listened to or ever wanted to play or write. And now he gets the chance to release it to the world. “This City,” featuring Lupe Fiasco, is the first single from “Soul Punk” and Patrick steps up to the plate with this song. He left us rockin’ out in-studio!
Daughtry fans…are you ready for this? November 21st marks a big day for you. It’s coming up fast, and pretty soon you’ll have ”Break The Spell” in your hands. Lead singer Chris Daughtry called into the Fox All Access studios to give us the scoop on the new album and what fans can look forward to. As Chris put it, there are songs on the album that have the “typical Daughtry fashion,” or what you would expect to hear from them but he says there’s a lot on the album that goes way beyond what the band has done before, musically and perhaps vocally. We asked Chris to describe what this new album means to them at this point of the band’s life.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Their first single, “Crawling Back To You,” is all over the radio and Chris admits there’s a little vulnerability when it comes to his songwriting. It can be uncomfortable and easy all at the same time. Songwriting takes talent and Chris shared with us the one song he wishes he had written, and at the top of his list….Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight.” But he’s also glad he got the chance to write “Crawling Back To You,” and he told us the meaning behind this song.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
When you heard that Hugh Laurie was recording an album, you weren’t expecting “house music,” were you? While it certainly would have been an ironic choice for the “House” star, he decided to stay true to his love of American blues music. So he recorded the album, “Let Them Talk,” with several New Orleans legends, including Dr. John, Irma Thomas, and Allen Toussaint. He wound up with a set of songs that’s certainly quite eclectic, featuring some familiar standards alongside some lesser-known numbers. How did he decide which songs to include on the album? (Click on the audio player to hear Hugh Laurie)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
“Let Them Talk,” which has garnered generally positive reviews, is now available in stores and online. Of course, he’s also starring on a new episode of “House,” airing tonight at 9/8 central on FOX.
Justin Timberlake is one of the most talented people in the world. Not only is he a top musician, Timberlake is also becoming one of the most talented actors in movies. Timberlake has given solid performances in Alpha Dog, The Social Network and his latest film, In Time. Timberlake could have been pigeon holed in his career as solely a singer, but he wouldn’t allow that, and was tenacious to fight those who said he couldn’t be successful in acting. Timberlake told us that its his inner drive that has pushed him to be great at all the different ventures he chooses.
Justin Timberlake stars in In Time, which is in theatres now.
Wiz Khalifa is quite the character. His album, “Rolling Papers,” recently came out and it definitely gives you a high…this talented young artist is just that, talented! While in Los Angeles, Wiz stopped by the Fox All Access studios to pay host Chris Leary a little visit. These two couldn’t be anymore different, as you can tell from the picture to your left Wiz is one of the few artists who can make our own Chris Leary look both short and dorky by comparison….but they were on the same wavelength. Wiz gave us the lowdown on his new album, his love of trees, working with T-Pain on “5 O’Clock” and more! Make sure to check back for Part 2 of this interview coming soon!!
Check out Wiz’s contribution to the new T-Pain song, “5 O’Clock.”
Last night’s episode of “The X Factor” was a spectacular show. Great singing, big production, interesting cat fights (we’re talking you Simon, L.A., Paula, and Nicole), and a lot of emotion. You’ve got to admit they are an amazingly talented group of human beings, so it’s hard to imagine how America (that’s you!) is going to figure out who that “one” winner will be. We caught up with each of the newly crowned Top 12 contestants on stage after the show and asked them to share what they were thinking and feeling about their performance, the judges’ reactions, the fan support, and the night. Watch what your favorites have to say:
Our Top 12 are back at it and already preparing for next week’s show, so make sure you follow your favorites on twitter and facebook, check out ”The X Factor” website www.thexfactorusa.com and make sure to ink in your appointment to catch ”The X Factor” live this coming Wednesday, November 2 at 8PM ET/PT on FOX.
The older singers on The X Factor are proving two important things: 1) You’re never too old to pursue your dream. 2) Music is a great anti-aging remedy. We caught up with each of the contestants in Nicole Scherzinger’s “Over 30″ group and dug a little deeper to find out what they’re still learning, what’s motivating them and what’s the best receipe for a musical burrito. Check it out:
Dexter Haygood
DYK? Dexter has been pursuing music for a long time, and it’s a few words of wisdom that he learned as a kid that has kept him striving for his dream. We call it soul rockin’ advice.
Josh Krajcik
DYK? Early in the auditions Josh became known as the “burrito man”, but that was before he busted out those pipes of his. Josh shares some of his guilty pleasures (which may surprise you), and gives us the receipe for the ultimate musical burrito.
LeRoy Bell
DYK? Yep, LeRoy is the oldest contestant on The X Factor, but by all accounts, he’s also one of the coolest. He’s got style, wisdom, and a soulful spirit. So what’s the secret to staying so youthful? (lots of inquiring minds and ladies want to know!) We’ve got it!
Stacy Francis
DYK? Stacy didn’t leave a dry eye in the stadium the day she did her first audition, and we’ve seen and felt tears since then too. So when we asked Stacy what she’s learned about herself through this whole process… Well, let’s just say the subject of crying is on the list.
So there you have it! So what’s next? The contestants are prepping for their big night, and it all happens LIVE! So catch Dexter, Josh, LeRoy, Stacy, and the rest of The X Factor contestants as they take the stage and perform for their future. It all happens tonight, Tuesday, October 25 at 8PM ET/PT on Fox.
Yesterday, L.A. Reid told us what stands out about his group of finalists on “The X Factor,” the boys. And, of course, he’s confident that he’ll have the winning contestant when all is said and done.
However, he’s got enough music industry experience to know it won’t be that easy, because Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Nicole Scherzinger have some awfully talented performers in their groups, too.
Who will be the most formidable foes for L.A.’s guys? We asked him to handicap the rest of the field and tell us which acts he thinks will pose the greatest competition for the crown. (Click on the audio player to hear L.A. Reid.)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Tonight, the 17 finalists will perform on live television for the first time, and the judges will make their final cuts before the audience voting begins. It’s bound to be an intense night full of amazing performances, so don’t miss a special 2-1/2 hour edition of “The X Factor,” tonight at 8/7c on Fox.
To find out more about the finalists, visit the show’s website at www.thexfactorusa.com.
