“The X Factor” is gearing up for its second season — in fact, initial auditions are already taking place. While Simon Cowell was pleased with many aspects of the show’s first season, he also saw a lot of opportunities to change things for the better in its sophomore year. He recently spoke to us about his desire to take “The X Factor” to a whole new level in Season Two .
Preliminary auditions for the second season of The X Factor are in full swing, and the buzz over who will be filling the 2 remaining judges’ chairs is deafening! There have been plenty of rumors, with huge names like Janet Jackson, Britney Spears and Mariah Carey all being tossed around as possibilities. We’ll finally get our answer in the coming weeks as auditions go into the judge’s round, but while we wait for Simon to let the cat out of the bag, we had some questions about why he decided to shake things up in the first place. He let us in on why he believes change is necessary, and also told us who the most important host of the show is!
Who would you most like to see sitting beside Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid as judges next season? Let us know in the comments!
Outasight is considered an overnight sensation. We personally remember him when he appeared on “The X Factor” to perform his hit single, “Tonight Is The Night,” which blew us away. One minute he’s trying to gain fans one by one, the next…his song is being featured on Pepsi ads and his fan base was growing at speed lightning. He admits it was a different medium of exposure but was ready to ride the wave because according to him he’s got a lot of music to share, it’s eclectic but it’s strong. Growing up in New York, this love of music was highly influenced by his parents. His mom was a record collector, and his dad played guitar. And when Outasight discovered a guitar hel iked in his father’s closet, Dad decided to encourage his son’s musical interests by giving him that guitar. Outasight never forgot the gesture — when he started to make it in the music business, he decided to repay his father by refurbishing that old guitar and giving it back to him as a birthday present. How sweet!
We got Outasight on hand to tell us about his love of music and how it began, apparently it was competing with another passion of his. (Click on audio player to hear Outasight)
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.
And so here we are, Outasight has over 13,000 followers on Twitter, he’s got a hit song on his hands, “Tonight Is The Night” is on everybody’s playlist and he’s celebrating! We asked Outasight what this special song means to him. The answer is plain and simple. (Click on audio player to hear Outasight)
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.
Check out the official video for Outasight’s “Tonight Is The Night”!!!
The Twitter world has been working overtime the last couple of days, with rumors circulating about who the two new judges will be for the second season of “The X Factor.” Will it be Mariah? Pink? Katy Perry? Janet Jackson? Beyonce? Britney? While most everyone has a opinion on who would be perfect for the job and why, one man’s opinion counts a little more than most: X Factor judge and creator Simon Cowell.
When FOX All Access spoke exclusively with Cowell and fellow “X Factor” judge L.A. Reid, they gave us a laundry list of the mandatory requirements they are looking for in whoever gets hired. While fun, entertaining, and competitive are on the list, the most important attribute is something that Simon says doesn’t come naturally to artists. (Click on the media player to hear Simon Cowell and 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.
So, the question is, of the names being tossed around, who do you think best matches the requirements they’ve set forth: Funny, sense of humor, competitive, and willing to put their own self aside and find a star? Or do you have a better suggestion? Let us know what you think!
We talked with Josh right after his Wednesday night “finale” performance and asked him to compare the feeling of performing in front of the judges now vs.that first audition. He also talks about Ohio, fans, what he’s learned from Nicole, and Grammy dreams.
Will Josh be the one to walk away with the 5 million dollar recording contract? Find out tonight! Watch The X Factor finale this evening at 8PM ET/PT on FOX.
We caught up with Melanie Amaro right after Wednesday night’s finale performance to find out what she was feeling and what it felt like to see all her family and fans in her Church. She also explains the one gift Simon has given her, and her dreams for 2012.
For Chris Rene, Wednesday night’s performance was a celebration on several fronts. We talked with him for a few minutes right after the show to find out how it felt to sing ”Young Homie” this time around and what plans he has in place to stick with his recovery after The X Factor is done. His dream for 2012? To be the winner of The X Factor. Check out his answers – and the special shout out to his supporters and fans.
Will Chris Rene win The X Factor? To find out, watch the The X Factor finale tonight, at 8PM ET/PT on FOX.
As the countdown to “The X Factor” finale continues so does the countdown to Christmas, and for X Factor final four contestant Chris Rene, Christmas 2011 is going to be extra special. In addition to celebrating his accomplishments on “The X Factor”, he’ll be celebrating a birthday, and his continued recovery and lease on life. We recently spoke with Chris who told us what it was like growing up with a holiday birthday, and how this Christmas is going to be so much more amazing and “blessed”.
Don’t forget to tune in this week to” The X Factor” as Chris, Marcus, Josh, and Melanie take to the stage one final time to earn their way to The X Factor’s Top Three Finale Week showdown. It all happens this Wednesday and Thursday at 8PM ET/PT on FOX.
Drew was an emotional one on stage last night, but by the time she got to the press line for interviews after the show she was feeling more reflective. We talked to Drew to find out how she was feeling, if she had regrets, and more importantly, if she had the opportunity to talk to her bestie, Shelby!
So our question to you… Did you vote for Drew? Do you feel bummed that you didn’t get a chance to see her let loose and hear all that she’s capable of? Let us know, and then be sure to tune in next Wednesday when The X Factor contestants take to the stage to sing their hearts out twice! It all goes down on Wednesday at 8PM ET/PT on FOX.
So the topic around The X Factor watercooler is…. How much was Simon at fault for Drew’s elimination? According to Nicole Scherzinger in our interview with her, none (wait, what????). Simon had a different take however, and told us that in addition to taking full responsibility, calls the experience a “wake up call” for him. Check out our chat with Nicole and Simon.
So will Simon be able to keep his girls out of the Pirannaha bowl this week? Is this wake up call just what’s needed to bring the very best out of Rachel and Melanie? Tune in Wednesday when The X Factor competition continues with the contestants taking on two songs each. It all goes down Wedensday at 8PM ET/PT on FOX.
