So tonight X-Factor USA finally premiered. Now unlike many
who saw the show tonight I actually knew the concept behind the show and have
been waiting over 3 years for the show to hit the states. You see, I have been
watching the X-factor UK version now for 3 years. This will be my 3rd
UK season but ever since I saw videos in the top 10 videos on YouTube I have
been hooked.
The season, for those you familiar with the UK version, I
started watching the season Joe McEldery won. However, the video that grabbed
my attention and was shown in promos before X-factor tapings was Danyl
Johnson’s I Get By With a Little Help
from My Friends the Joe Crocker version. It was on the top 10 YouTube
videos for a while but the other standouts auditions for me were Olly Murs with
Superstition by Stevie Wonder and
Lucie Jones version of I Will Always Love
You by Whitney Houston. (I have a soft spot for both) This season was also
the season where auditions were in front of live audiences so that played a big
part. I watched many of the videos of the show via YouTube but then I started
finding streams, which were a godsend.
Through the UK version I have been introduced to the
terrible but entertaining Jedward and Wagner, to the amazing sounds of Matt
Cardle, boy band One Direction, and past alums JLS and Alexandra Burke. However, one of the best
introductions to X-factor was Cheryl Cole who was a judge who I never heard of but fell in
love with instantly. Fox and Simon were hoping for the same effect but for some
reason axed her because “she was hard to understand.” I was lucky enough to go
to the Chicago auditions to see Cheryl in action as a judge and Nicole Scherzinger
was a presenter with Steve Jones. During audition breaks people were cheering
for Cheryl and I wasn’t the only one. Tonight #CherylRocks was trending
worldwide during the show and many papers mentioned she was a better judge than
Nicole. If I had it my way Nicole would go out and Cheryl in but that’s not
going to happen. Instead, I will have to wait for Cheryl’s big break in her
movie where she will make an appearance.
Anyways on to the show! For those who don’t know the judges
are mentors to 4 categories. The contestants have to go through live auditions
and then boot camp where the categories are narrowed down to 6-8 people
depending on what X-factor USA chooses. Those 6-8 people then go to judge’s
houses where the judge has another famous person help them narrow down their
category to 3 people.
So here is how the UK show differs from the USA version.
- - In the UK the youngest you can be is 16 unlike in the states the youngest is 12
- - In the UK the older category is over 25 (or 28 Matt Cardle season) in the states its over 30
- - In the UK version Dermott O’Leary has more of a presenter role talking to the contestant and is shown in the back with the family unlike in the states wher Steve Jones gets very little screen time
- - I don’t know if they did this the 1st season on X-factor UK but they did interviews with the judges a lot more and explained the show a lot more
- - The winner in the US will get a $5 Million record recording contract and will be featured in the Pepsi Super Bowl commercial unlike the UK where you get a record contract
As you can somewhat see I am a major X-factor fan. The one thing I love about the show is the
inspirational stories. Whenever I watch it, it feels like I can too follow
my dreams and things are possible. I know it sounds cheesy but during
these difficult times where I am unemployed, X factor brings a little joy and
hope into my life.
Now I leave you with one of the best auditions, in my opinion, from the UK and USA versions. Jade Richards is probably one of the best
auditions I have heard where someone has sung an Adele song with the type of
meaning it needs. In the US, tonight’s show was Chris Rene who was one of the
best auditions I have heard when someone sings their own song.
Jade Richards- UK Someone Like You
Chris Rene- USA
Overall, X-factor is one of the most entertaining shows out there and I can't wait to see what will come. Stay tuned to my opinion on the future show.
