The Bootcamp Auditions, Top 32 X-Factor Contestants

TOP EIGHT BOYS with L.A. REID as MENTOR:

Skyelor Anderson
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Currently Resides: Southaven, MS
Age: 16

 

Brian Bradley
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Currently Resides: Brooklyn, NY
Age: 15

Marcus Canty
Hometown: Bowie, MD
Currently Resides: Bowie, MD
Age: 20

Tim Cifers
Hometown: Granville County, NC
Currently Resides: Willow Spring, NC
Age: 30

Brennin Hunt
Hometown: Harrah, OK
Currently Resides: Nashville, TN
Age: 26

Phillip Lomax
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Currently Resides: Seattle, WA
Age: 22

Chris Rene
Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA
Currently Resides: Santa Cruz, CA
Age: 28

Nick Voss
Hometown: Hialeah, FL
Currently Resides: Hialeah, FL
Age: 22

TOP EIGHT GIRLS with SIMON COWELL as MENTOR:

Melanie Amaro
Hometown: Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Currently Resides: Coral Springs, FL
Age: 19

Simone Battle
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Currently Resides: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 22

Rachel Crow
Hometown: Longmont, CO
Currently Resides: Burbank, CA
Age: 13

Caitlin Koch
Hometown: Orchard Park, NY
Currently Resides: Orchard Park, NY
Age: 21

Jazzlyn Little
Hometown: Cape Coral, FL
Currently Resides: Cape Coral, FL
Age: 16

Drew Ryniewicz
Hometown: Chino Valley, AZ
Currently Resides: Chino Valley, AZ
Age: 14

Tiah Tolliver
Hometown: Chula Vista, CA
Currently Resides: Bremerton, WA
Age: 20

Tora Woloshin
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
Currently Resides: Tucson, AZ
Age: 22

TOP EIGHT OVER 30s with NICOLE SCHERZINGER as MENTOR:

LeRoy Bell
Hometown: Tacoma, WA
Currently Resides: Edmonds, WA
Age: 60

Tiger Budbill
Hometown: Seattle/White Center, WA
Currently Resides: Bothell, WA
Age: 42

Christa Collins
Hometown: Burlington, IA
Currently Resides: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 32

Stacy Francis
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Currently Resides: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 42

Elaine Gibbs
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Currently Resides: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 53

Dexter Haygood
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Currently Resides: Chicago, IL
Age: 49

James Kenney
Hometown: Portland, OR
Currently Resides: West Hollywood, CA
Age: 34

Josh Krajcik
Hometown: Wooster, OH
Currently Resides: Columbus, OH
Age: 30

Paula Abdul completes the X-Factor judges panel; reunites with Simon Cowell

Fox Press Release

America’s sweetheart, world-renowned choreographer and pop icon Paula Abdul will join Cheryl Cole, Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Simon Cowell as a judge on THE X FACTOR, the highly anticipated singing competition series debuting this fall. Abdul, who sat alongside Cowell for eight seasons as a judge on AMERICAN IDOL, has worldwide album sales exceeding 50 million records, two No. 1 albums, six No. 1 singles, a Grammy Award, seven MTV Awards, two Emmy Awards, two People’s Choice Awards and two Kids’ Choice Awards. Abdul will join Cole, Cowell, and Reid as they travel to THE X FACTOR audition cities searching for the next global superstar or breakout music group.

“This show would never have been the same without Paula and I can’t believe I am saying this – I have missed her a lot, and I am thrilled she’s on the show,” said Simon Cowell.

“I am excited beyond words to be a part of THE X FACTOR. I couldn’t be happier to bring my love for cultivating talent and performance to such a wildly anticipated show,” said Paula Abdul. “I’m looking forward to being back with the FOX family and know that it will be an extraordinary journey — we’re going to have a blast. I’m also delighted and grateful to be sitting next to Simon again…but you might want to check back with me in a week or two!”

“Paula is not only the lovely, nurturing person that America fell in love with, but she’s also one of the fiercest competitors I’ve ever seen — which makes her a perfect fit to judge THE X FACTOR,” said Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “Paula and Simon have undeniable chemistry, and together with L.A. Reid and Cheryl Cole, I think we’ve put together an incredibly entertaining judges’ panel.”

“I’m thrilled to be working with Paula again,” says executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz. “A consummate entertainer in her own right, she has an extraordinary talent and generosity for nurturing performers — and her chemistry with Simon Cowell is like no other. I especially look forward to seeing her signature sensibilities in action during our mentoring rounds!”

via X-Factor blog

Watch the X-Factor live auditions taping in a city near you!

Tickets are FREE and admission is GUARANTEED.

The X Factor is here! HAS YOUR CITY GOT IT? WE ARE LOOKING FOR 4,000 MUSIC FANS TO BE IN THE AUDIENCE FOR THE X FACTOR LIVE AUDITIONS!

Simon Cowell is back as judge on the highly anticipated US premiere of his global television phenomenon, THE X FACTOR. The show is auditioning both solo artists AND vocal groups and the acts that survive will compete for a $5 million recording contract with Sony/Syco! It's the biggest guaranteed prize in TV history.

THE X FACTOR LIVE AUDITIONS will be visiting cities across the country auditioning both solo artists AND vocal groups. The auditions will be in front of the judges and a live audience.

Tapings happening from Los Angeles, Chicago, New Jersey to Miami and Seattle! Check for dates here and to print out tickets. Hurry, seats are extremely limited!

Nicole Scherzinger and Steve Jones to host “THE X FACTOR”!

Fox Press release

Multi-talented performer and chart-topping artist Nicole Scherzinger and British TV personality Steve Jones will host THE X FACTOR, the highly anticipated singing competition series debuting this fall on FOX. Scherzinger, who recently served as a guest judge on the U.K. version of “The X Factor,” is a singer, songwriter and performer and Jones began his career as a fashion model and has gone on to host some of the U.K.’s biggest TV shows.

“These two are going to be great together,” said Simon Cowell. “I have always wanted Steve to work with us; I think he is a real star. Nicole is fantastic. I loved working with her on the U.K. ‘X Factor’ last year. She is gorgeous and super-talented.”


“I am thrilled to be asked by Simon Cowell to host THE X FACTOR,” said Scherzinger. “I loved working alongside Simon on the U.K. show, and cannot wait to see what he has in store for the U.S. I’m so excited to work with Steve Jones and help discover astounding talent from across the country!”


“I couldn't be happier to be coming onto THE X FACTOR,” said Jones. “The ability to work day in and day out with Simon Cowell is a dream come true. I am honored to have that opportunity and thrilled to be able to share the stage with Nicole Scherzinger, whom I adore. I have been approached about working in the States before, but never felt right about those opportunities. But when THE X FACTOR came up, I lept at the opportunity.”

“Nicole is a triple-threat performer who knows how to captivate an audience, and Steve is an accomplished presenter whose original sense of humor has charmed viewers worldwide. Both possess the unique combination of personality and credibility that we were looking for in our hosts,” said Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “They’re incredibly charismatic, undeniably gorgeous, and fantastic entertainers in their own right.”

“A student of the performing arts since childhood, Nicole Scherzinger is a talent tour de force whose track record spans many creative genres, while Steve Jones is a multi-talented U.K. personality with consummate hosting skills and a signature charm, humor and style that is all his own,” said executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz. “I’m very pleased to have them both on board THE X FACTOR, where their respective experiences will bring a special and authentic chemistry to their roles as co-hosts.”

Cheryl Cole joins the X-Factor judges panel; Anticlimactic? Sure is!

After months of speculations from the media and denial from the X-Factor camp, this announcement comes off anticlimactic and have people going, "yup, we know. Next?"

Fox Press release:

British pop superstar Cheryl Cole will join Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Simon Cowell as a judge on THE X FACTOR, the highly anticipated singing competition series debuting this fall on FOX. Cole, who has sat alongside Cowell as a judge on the U.K. version of “The X Factor” for three years, is a multi-platinum-selling solo artist and a member of Girls Aloud, one of the U.K.’s most successful female vocal groups of all time. Cole will join Cowell, Reid and an additional judge (to be announced) as they travel to THE X FACTOR audition cities searching for the next global superstar or breakout music group.

“I’m thrilled for Cheryl. She is massively excited about this show, and has been fantastic to work with,” said Cowell. “She is also a complete brat! Most importantly, this girl can spot talent.”

“I’m so excited to be taking part in the American version of THE X FACTOR. I absolutely love it here in the U.K., and with the talent they have out in America, I’m sure we’re going to find someone very special. I can’t wait to get started,” said Cole. “I just can’t decide whether I am more excited to find and nurture the talent or for the unbelievable amount of amusement and entertainment I will have watching Simon doing everything and anything he can to beat me. He’s tried to beat me for three years in the U.K., and hasn’t even come close. His ego must be so bruised. America is gonna love this.”

“Cheryl Cole has the whole THE X FACTOR package: She’s an incredibly talented artist and performer, as well as a style icon, and she has that special charisma that draws in fans around the world,” said Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “Cheryl’s charm and chemistry with Simon have been a key part of the overwhelming success of ‘The X Factor’ in the U.K., and we can’t wait to welcome her to the U.S. on our air.”

“As a young artist whose talent show discovery led to almost immediate stardom, Cheryl’s career exemplifies the promise of THE X FACTOR,” said executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz. “Her empathy and passion for identifying and nurturing undiscovered talent has made her a huge hit with British audiences, and I have no doubt America will fall in love with her beauty, her accent and her incredible chemistry with Simon Cowell.”

Auditions continue in Dallas, TX, on Thursday, May 26. Now through this Sunday, May 8, hopefuls may also audition in specially built high-definition recording studios in Honolulu, HI; Phoenix, AZ; Nashville, TN; Anchorage, AK; Kansas City, KS; and Denver, CO.

About Cheryl Cole
There aren’t many who have successfully made the transition from girl group to solo star. But one woman who has, and made it seem utterly effortless, is Cheryl Cole. Cole’s first solo single, “Fight For This Love,” was the fastest-selling single of 2009, and both of her solo albums charted at No. 1. The first, “3 Words,” has been certified triple platinum. Three further top five singles followed, along with two BRITs nominations and winning the coveted Best Music Act at the ELLE Style Awards 2011. In making these albums, Cole collaborated with an impressive number of music’s A-list, including Dizzee Rascal, Travie McCoy, Taio Cruz and most notably will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas. As well as effortlessly charming her collaborators, Cole has garnered many a famous fan too. Adele, the voice of 2011, chose to cover “Promise This,” the No. 1 lead-in single from Cole’s second album, “Messy Little Raindrops,” in the Live Lounge on Radio 1.

Another very big fan is Simon Cowell, who personally handpicked her as a judge for “The X Factor” in the U.K. in 2008. Cole became an instant hit with viewers and went on to win the show in both 2008 with Alexandra Burke and 2009 with Joe McElderry. The last season of “The X Factor” was the most talked-about show in Britain, regularly attracting audiences of 15 million. The finale peaked at 21 million viewers and saw Cole with two of her contestants in the finale. Cole has also become a leading style icon. She has graced the cover of British Vogue twice, the first time becoming the highest-ever-selling February issue in the title’s history. She has also appeared on the covers of Harper’s Bazaar and ELLE. Cole is also a L’Oreal spokesmodel fronting the L’Oreal Elvive Full Restore 5 hair care range.

Despite massive success as a singer, style icon and TV star, Cole is keen to give back. In February 2009, she joined an expedition to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in order to raise money for Comic Relief. In February 2011, Cole announced the launch of her own charitable foundation with The Prince’s Trust. The Cheryl Cole Foundation will provide funding to work with disadvantaged young people from Cole’s hometown of Newcastle upon Tyne and surrounding areas of northeast England.

Cole did her growing up in Girls Aloud, the U.K.’s most successful girl band. Formed on TV show “Popstars: The Rivals” in 2002, they went on to record five albums and sell over 10 million records. Girls Aloud topped the singles chart four times, had 20 top 10 singles and won the BRIT Award for Best Single in 2009 with “The Promise.” Girls Aloud won critical acclaim and fans from every corner. Their third album, “Chemistry,” got five-star reviews, and the single “Love Machine” was covered by the Arctic Monkeys. Coldplay’s Chris Martin personally requested that Girls Aloud were on the lineup alongside Jay-Z for the Wembley Stadium shows in 2009. For more information on Cole, please visit www.cherylcole.com.

Simon Cowell: Ready to Take on The X Factor

by William Keck

American Idol and America's Got Talent had best be on guard. Auditions for Simon Cowell's new singing competition, The X Factor, kick off March 27 in Los Angeles, paving the way for the Fox series' fall 2011 premiere. While continuing the search for his co-hosts and third judge (to join him and Island Def Jam music producer Antonio "L.A." Reid), the charmer spoke to TV Guide Magazine from across the pond.

TV Guide Magazine: What is your biggest worry about launching this hit U.K. show in America?Cowell: You just don't know until you start filming whether the contestants are going to be good, interesting and different. It's impossible to predict. I've luckily had more good years than bad when you get that special Carrie Underwood or Susan Boyle moment. My biggest fear is that everybody's hopeless and boring.      

TV Guide Magazine: That's up to you judges. What's the hold up in finalizing the panel and hosts?Cowell: First of all, nobody can agree; secondly, you've got to meet as many people as possible; and thirdly, I'm famous for not making my mind up until the last possible second. You've got to imagine working with these people for the next few months... People you genuinely think you're going to like. We were spoiled for a while on Idol when we had Paula, Randy and Ryan. We genuinely became friends, and you want the same thing to happen again.

TV Guide Magazine: And you know most of us can tell with whom you get along... and with whom you don't.Cowell: I totally agree. You can tell whether there's a real chemistry, and if you don't like each other or there's tension, you see that bouncing off the screen. I've been in that situation before when you don't quite fit and I want to avoid that happening.

TV Guide Magazine: Is part of Simon Cowell's X factor that he tells it as it is?Cowell: I think so. There's no point lying to the people. I like things to be unpredictable, controversial and funny. You want people to talk and get excited.

TV Guide Magazine: How long have you known L.A. Reid?Cowell: I met him approximately fifteen years ago when he'd launched Pink for the first time. He put on a show and got every single person in the room to believe this person was a star. The way he presented her with his passion drew me to him and was a big part of why I chose him to be on the show. A "yes" or "no" from L.A. Reid should really mean something to the contestants.

TV Guide Magazine: We're hearing former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger is a near lock for one of those hosts.Cowell: Yeah, I want her to do it, but we've got to get the deal done and find someone she has chemistry with. But I absolutely adore her. She was fantastic on the U.K. X Factor and I'm hopeful it will happen.

TV Guide Magazine: What is Nicole's X factor?Cowell: She's gorgeous and ruthlessly ambitious and doesn't arrive with a massive entourage. Everyone adores her.

TV Guide Magazine: The other hot rumor is that former Girls Aloud singer and British X Factor judge Cheryl Cole will fill that third judge's chair, but Fox had concerns about Americans struggling to understand her thick English accent.Cowell: We may do it like Singin' In the Rain, where we've got an American speaking behind a wall if she gets the gig. Cheryl's not confirmed but is in the mix. Someone else [Cowell declined to specify] came into the fray this week who wasn't there a week ago, so now I've got to meet them.

TV Guide Magazine: During your last season on Idol, you clearly seemed disinterested. Can we expect to see a re-energized Simon when The X Factor debuts in the fall?Cowell: For sure. I wouldn't have done this if I wasn't in the mood for doing it. The problem with the last year was that because I'd announced I was going, there was just a weird feeling with everyone. Weird energy. If you're getting paid to do a job, you've got to be professional, but to be honest my mind was somewhere else. Right now, though, I feel completely re-energized, enthusiastic and hopeful! We're going to work flat-out to make the best possible show we can.

TV Guide Magazine: Give us one scoop on what we're actually going to see when the shows start airing.Cowell: I've done this a long time and have learned you never, ever tell your competition what you're going to do in advance, A) because they're going to rip it off, and B) because I haven't got a clue.

via TV Guide

L.A. Reid first confirmed judge to sit along side Simon Cowell in the X-Factor panel

By James Hibberd

Fox has made it official, announcing Reid as an X Factor judge. “L.A. Reid is one of the most celebrated music producers and songwriters of our time and knows exactly what it takes to find and nurture a global superstar,” said Fox alternative president Mike Darnell. “Not only does he have an insanely good eye for talent, but he also has the personality and savvy to go toe-to-toe with Simon Cowell, so I can’t wait to see those two music moguls together at The X Factor judges’ table.”

PREVIOUS:

Insiders confirm to EW that Island Def Jam chairman and music producer L.A. Reid is near a deal to take a judge’s seat on Simon Cowell’s singing competition series The X Factor.

“L.A. wants to do it,” says a source close to the deal. “He has his sights set on a seat on that panel, and apparently Simon would like it to happen.”

Reid is a interesting choice for the show, since it gets away from strategy adopted last year byAmerican Idol and the path selected by NBC’s upcoming The Voice of going after celebrity singers. Instead, Cowell is tapping somebody with a background more like his own. Reid is a behind-the-scenes music mogul — currently the chairman and CEO of Island Def Jam — whose talent list includes Mariah Carey, Pink, TLC and Usher. For host of the show, singer Enrique Iglesias has been approached, though an insider said other names are still being considered.

Earlie, Cowell let drop he was considering Paula Abdul, Mariah Carey, Nicole Scherzinger and George Michael for judges.

The X Factor premieres this fall, and auditions begin March 27 in Los Angeles.

via Entertainment Weekly


Simon on "Why LA Reid?"

Songs Simon Cowell don't want to hear in an X-Factor audition (Video)

Pretty straightforward and American Idol auditioneers should take heed as well!!

Simon says steer clear from any Mariah Carey songs! Do not sing "Hello" by Lionel Richie or Frank Sinatra's "Fly me to the moon" or anything that sounds like the original. "Do something different," he curtly states.

X-Factor Simon Cowell gives tips for auditioning plus audition featurette (Videos)

How does a $5 Million Sony Recording Contract sound? Auditions for the X-Factor coming soon!

Ever dream about being a world famous solo artist or in a vocal group like The Pussy Cat Dolls or the Black Eyed Peas? Do you have a hidden talent that’s been hiding beneath the surface for years? Or maybe one of your friends or family have a secret singing talent?

This is your opportunity to possibly take home the prize of a $5 million recording contract from Sony Records. The complete Eligibility Requirements will be posted soon but at a minimum you must be at least 12 years of age by March 1, 2011, a legal US citizen or eligible to work full time, and without a current music recording contract.

Audition cities are as follows: Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey and Seattle. The audition kicks off in LA on March 27th.

Get more audition information by signing up via the official X-factor site.

The X-Factor coming to the US in Fall 2011

No, this isn't American Idol.

This isn't even America's Got talent although quite close in a sense that the X Factor is open to anyone – vocal groups and solo singers, over the age of 12 – and there’s absolutely no upper age limit. Like America's Got talent, you can be 80 years old and compete with an acapella group or a boy band!

Simon Cowell is looking for the next Madonna, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Justin Beiber who have all got the "it" factor or simply the "X-factor".

The prize ain't bad either. A whooping $5 million dollars!! The biggest prize in television history to date.



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