Anyone following twitter, entertainment websites, and “The X Factor” are well aware of the controversy that’s been brewing around some of ”The X Factor” contestants’ prior ”music career.” The controversy started when it was revealed that LeRoy Bell and Stacy Francis both had had some prior experience in the music industry. The controversy hit an all time high however when Perez Hilton took to twitter (and his four million followers) end of last week and started accusing Stacy Francis of outright lying to the public and fans about her past. While it’s a bit humorous that someone who has made a name for himself by spreading rumors and gossip is all of a sudden carrying the torch for truth, honesty, and full disclosure (we are talking about entertainment afterall), the serious side is that real people are being dragged through the dirt for what ”The X Factor” Judges think is really kind of a non-issue. In fact, when the judges were asked their thoughts on the whole matter at a press conference post show Thursday night, Simon weighed in, and summed it up by saying “I couldn’t care less”.
Check out what the judges said for yourself…
So our question to you… Is this a big deal? Are you over it? Is this whole matter swaying your vote, or are you just ready to see what the remaining 11 contestants have in store next week? Let us know!
The remaining Top 11 will take to the stage next Wednesday for the next super star showdown on The X Factor – so ink your appointment for the TV next Wednesday at 8PM ET/PT on FOX, then hit up twitter, your phone line, Facebook or Verizon to vote!!
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!.
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.
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.)
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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.
For this next installment of The X Factor DYK of the Day (and that’s DYK as in Did You Know?), we’re going to focus on L.A. Reid’s group of boys (Astro, Chris, Marcus, and Phillip). While watching them perform on TV has been fun, it’s been even more interesting to chat with them face to face. Bottom line, they’re a really nice group of guys with some unique experiences and points of views. Check it out:
Astro
DYK? Astro (formally known as Brian Bradley) has a lot of confidence on stage, but likens it to sort of channeling his inner Beyonce’/Sasha Fierce. He also shares an interesting perspective on where confidence comes from…
Chris Rene’
DYK? Chris’ musical DNA goes way back. In fact,his grandfather wrote numerous songs, including the catchy famous “Rockin’ Robin”. Chris takes us through a bit of his musical genealogy, and teases that there just might be a Chris Rene version of Rockin’ Robin someday….
Marcus Canty
DYK? Marcus has faced some harsh critics before, and they all go by the name “The Apollo” Anyone that’s seen that crowd knows you better be good – or else. Marcus explains why that experience was a “bright moment”.
Phillip Lomax
DYK? Talking to Phillip Lomax is like taking a quick stroll through an Atlas. He’s lived and visited more interesting places than you can count, and he’s knows some different languages. Crooner? Yes. But we’re also thinking he qualifies as an “International Man of Mystery.” Check out his language skills.
So that wraps it up for L.A.’s group of guys. Who’s going to bring it out onto the stage and have their “A” game when The X Factor goes “Live”? Check it out Tuesday, October 25th at 8PM ET/PT on FOX. And check back later as we share some interesting info on the “older” singers and the “groups”.
As L.A. Reid said on Fox All Access over the weekend, he was pretty sure he wouldn’t be given the “Girls” group of contestants on “The X Factor,” because it would have been too easy for him to win.
As fate would have it, he was right — he didn’t get the girls. Instead, he got the guys.
After having the final eight in the “Boys” category over to his house in the Hamptons on Long Island for an intense round of mentoring and judging, Reid chose his final four: Astro, Marcus Canty, Chris Rene, and Phillip Lomax.
So, after getting the chance to evaluate the talent in his category, Reid still likes his chances, and he took a few minutes to tell Fox All Access what he likes about each of his finalists. (Click the audio player to hear L.A. Reid.)
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To find out more about all of the final 17 acts on “The X Factor,” go to the show’s website, www.thexfactorusa.com, and watch Tuesday night (10/25) as the finalists sing on live TV for the first time. The special 2-1/2 hour episode of “The X Factor” begins at 8/7c on Fox.
This week The X Factor will be taking us to each of the Judges’ homes where we’ll see the eight singing acts from the four categories (young girls, young boys, singers over 30, and vocal groups) perform their hearts out for their mentor/judge. By next week, we’ll know which four from each category will asked to stay – and which four will be sent home packing. We got Simon and L.A. to talk about their categories (Simon has the younger girls, L.A. the younger boys), the ‘Judges’ Home Visit’ process, and found out that Simon is already doubting his decisions. Check it out:
Q: What do you think about the categories that were given to each of you?
Simon: I think the decisions that were made were the right decision interestingly. You have to cast the right judge with the right category. Who do you get? Who will you get? And L.A. said this before, and I agree – there was a winner potentially in every category. The category I got, I was really happy with – really, really happy. But, the big difference on this show is, it’s not just about winning the show – you’ve got to turn somebody into a star. In my case, I’ve had to bring in fitness experts, nutritionists, vocal coaches, producers, stylists, choreographers; because that’s the way you’ve got to work. You’ve got to be fit, you’ve got to be ready, and mentally my job is to make them understand that I’m looking for a winner who’s going to win in the real world – and I expect 11 out of 10 every single week.
L.A.: My category was the boys, and I was really happy to get them because I actually believe that my category has the strongest contestants, and the most likely to win. Now, I’m saying that, but you never know what happens going forward, right; but so far, I have the clear winners.”
Simon: “Well, I think I’ve got the winner. Enough said.”
L.A.: “You do?”
Simon: “Oh yeah! I’ve got the girls. I think I did a brilliant job with all of them, chose two songs for each of them; and it was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, because I could’ve put any of these eight through. I mean, I could’ve put just eight in the whole competition, and you’d of had a fantastic cast.”
L.A.: “How many really have talent in your category?”
Simon: “All eight. I swear to god. L.A., I watched it back – I swear when you see what – they were incredible.”
Q: So bootcamp is over and you’ve all been given a category… Simon, you have the girls, and L.A. you have the boys. Nicole gets the singers over the age of 30, and Paula has the groups. This week, we see all the contestants go to your homes for a “home visit”. What’s that process like?
Simon: “The home visit show is designed; you get to know who you’re going to be working with because you’re going to be stuck with them for a few months. So over two days, we chose two songs for both of them. That’s to me the hardest time to go. You’ve gotten to know them, they’re all arguably good because they’ve made the eight; and you’ve got to say face-to-face at the end of that competition, You’re going to the live shows, you are about to get back on a plane 6,000 miles because you’re not going any further. It’s a no, you’re going home”. It’s horrible.”
L.A.: “Yes.”
Simon: “And it’s very personal, and normally you’re going to end up with “I’ve made a big mistake” – I certainly did.”
Q: Is it hard to decide who makes it through?
Simon: “It’s hard because you don’t have an awful lot of time.”
L.A.: “Right.”
Simon: “First day you hear them sing, you’ve got to think about it overnight, they do two songs each. Then you wake up, you think you’ve made your decision, and then I watch the tapes back. “yeah, I made the right decision, and I changed them. You know I’ve made the right decision.” After about an hour after I put my four through, I went “I’ve made a massive mistake here”. But, regardless, I will have them fighting fit, and I want it mentally, as I said get them prepared to kill the others, and I will.”
Q: So what are the contestants going to have to do to be ready for what’s to come?
L.A.: “They’ll have to work really hard. They better be in fight shape. They better be.”
Simon: “They’re ready. They’re ready for your old boys, trust me.”
L.A.: “I think they now know that it’s down to the wire, and that this is really about winning, and I think their ready – we’ll see.”
Q: Are we going to find most of the fan favorites making the cut?
L.A.: “We know who the fan favorites are, and I think one of the most interesting things about the judge’s homes is in boot camp and in auditions; all of us are caught up in the audience, not just the judges, but everyone. I think the viewers are also caught up in the moment and excited, and I think when it’s broken down and it’s raw, and we really get down to that raw bare talent, I think that they’re going to all be very surprised at who emerges.”
Simon: “I am not leaving my house the day after the home visit show.”
L.A.: “You’re not leaving?”
Simon: “Absolutely no way, I’m undercover.”
So the question is – will Simon, L.A., Paula, and Nicole make the right decisions? Will YOUR favorite make the cut? Watch and let us know! Catch all the excitement, singing, and drama that is “The X Factor” this Wednesday and Thursday at 8PM ET/PT on FOX.
For more info on the Top 32 contestants, check out The X Factor website: www.thexfactorusa.com and listen to the FOX All Access Radio Show!
This week we find out which of “The X Factor” contestants will make the bootcamp cut AND which catagory of performers each of the judges will mentor the rest of the season. According to Simon Coweel though, when the doors open, the ONLY Judge contestants are going to want as a mentor is him – because he is better than the other three. Watch as Simon disses Paula, explains how Leona Lewis wasn’t very good (at first), and how he’s happy that he finally gets to show America what he really does for a living. Watch The X Factor tonight and see which group of performers Simon will get at 8PM ET/PT on FOX.
For more info on the contestants check out The X Factor website at www.thexfactorusa.com
The judges continue their search on “The X Factor” during night #2 of “Bootcamp” week, all in a quest to find those select few performers capable of being a global superstar. Our very own Chris Leary sat down with L.A. Reid to talk about Bootcamp and sending people home, being overruled, Shine Gurus, and our new favorite L.A. coined word, “Loveability”. Check it out!
Catch the final phase of Bootcamp, and find out which catagory of singers will go to Simon, Paula, Nicole, and L.A. on The X Factor at 8PM ET/PT on Fox.
For more details on the contestants that make the cut, check out The X Factor website at www.thexfactor.com
“The X Factor” judge L.A. Reid has enjoyed success in the music business as a writer, producer, performer, and a label executive. Why is it that seemingly everything he’s touched has turned to gold?
Listen to him talk about the part that music plays in his life, and it’s not so difficult to figure out why.
Tomorrow: Paula Abdul gets emotional as she tells us what music means to her.
“The X Factor” premieres with a two-hour special tomorrow night at 8/7c on Fox. For more information about “The X Factor,” visit www.thexfactorusa.com.
Anyone following twitter, entertainment websites, and “The X Factor” are well aware of the controversy that’s been brewing around some of ”The X Factor” contestants’ prior ”music career.” The controversy started when it was revealed that LeRoy Bell and Stacy Francis both had had some prior experience in the music industry. The controversy hit an all time high however when Perez Hilton took to twitter (and his four million followers) end of last week and started accusing Stacy Francis of outright lying to the public and fans about her past. While it’s a bit humorous that someone who has made a name for himself by spreading rumors and gossip is all of a sudden carrying the torch for truth, honesty, and full disclosure (we are talking about entertainment afterall), the serious side is that real people are being dragged through the dirt for what ”The X Factor” Judges think is really kind of a non-issue. In fact, when the judges were asked their thoughts on the whole matter at a press conference post show Thursday night, Simon weighed in, and summed it up by saying “I couldn’t care less”.
