The X Factor is back, and with it, a whole new bunch of contestants, auditions, new judge, tantrums, tears and laughter.
With the departure of Kelly Rowland, Nicole Scherzinger is the new judge this year – will she be a success? EFlooks forward to seeing her in action! Nicole joins the gorgeous Gary Barlow, Louis Walsh and Tulisa Contostavlos on the panel.
Last series, Little Mix became the first girl group to winThe X Factor under the guidance of Tulisa. She said: “After last year, people know what to expect from me. I was the winning judge last year, and this year I’m fighting to keep my crown.”
Louis said: “The X Factor is the only show that can find a world class star. I’ve been a judge for nine years now, and nothing can shock me!”
The X Factor began tonight with host Dermot O’Leary talking through the successes of the talent show, and asked: ‘Who is next’? That’s what are wondering too!
With auditions beginning in London, the first auditionee was Sheyi from Camden. The Nandos said he wanted to become a mega star, for the nice cars, nice girls, and fame! Walking on to the stage dressed in red and white, the seventeen year old charmed the panel. His song was What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong. His voice resembled Louis down to a tee! EF was wondering for some time if it was his real voice, or a put-on voice. Gary stopped him halfway through. Tulisa asked him: “You do know you’ve got some deep throaty tone when you sing, right?” He then asked for some water and Louis Walsh requested another song. He sang Will Young’s Leave Right Now, but the Louis Armstrong voice was back and he had everyone in stitches! For entertainment factor, Sheyi was brilliant! Nicole told him: “I love your personality, and there’s a split personality there.” Gary said in a throaty voice: “I thought it was terrible! The work that needs to be done on your voice is surgical work!” Shay didn’t get through but what a great opener for The X Factor 2012!!
We then saw waitress Fe sing Freedom by Aretha Franklin, and Nicole loved her. Fe went through with four judges saying Yes! Then, fireman Flick sang I Just Want You To Know Who I Am. He got through. Tasha was next, and the florist said: “I day dream about singing in front of masses of people.” She sang Nothing’s Real But Love by Rebecca Ferguson, and dare we say – she was better than the original! Tasha got through.
Next up was Jahmene Douglas from Swindon. The supermarket worker said: “Everyone has their thing, and my thing is singing.” He also called himself “a worrier”. Jahmene had never done anything like The X Factor before. His song was Etta James’ At Last, and from the first note he captured EF’s attention, as well as the audience. His audition brought it home to EF why X Factor still is at the forefront of the talent shows – this guy would not have had the opportunity to showcase his voice otherwise. EF loved him! The applause he received was well deserved. Louis said: “You are a revelation. This is what we’re looking for, a star is born.” Tulisa said: “You have the shock factor. The minute you started singing you expressed yourself.” Nicole said: “You’re an amazing vocalist. You’re a real singer.” Gary said: “I have never seen a vocal performance like that before. That was off-the-scale! You nailed it today.” He got through. Well done! P.S. Did anyone else hear the Forrest Gump soundtrack??
It was then the turn of look-a-likes to show us their singing skills. We had a Prince fan, Tulisa look-a-like, and Rod Steward. There was also a Pink look-a-like called Zoe from Caerphilly. Zoe worked as a professional Pink tribute act. Zoe hoped to get her own identity from the show. She sang So What by Pink, and her voice was quite strong and resembled a bit of Pink’s. Gary stopped her, and Tulisa said: “I liked your image when you came out, but then you sang like Pink. You said you wanted your own identity, but then you did everything Pink’s way.” Zoe then sang an Emile Sande song. Albeit a bit shaky, Zoe did have a nice voice, but was it enough? Nicole said: “I really like your energy up there, but I honestly think you need to go away and think about yourself as an artist.” Gary said: “I really think you need to go away and find your own voice.” She didn’t get through, but instead of walking away gracefully, she shouted “You told me to sing a Pink song!” Not a good move Zoe. She also threw a microphone at the judges and pushed a camera. Maybe Zoe needs to go to a therapist for agressiveness?
We were next in Manchester, and with a new city came a guest judge in the form of Spice Girl Mel B! She said: “I’m so glad to be up North, I’m a Northern girl and I love coming home.” We saw Mel having fun with Louis Walsh backstage.EF likes her!
Eighteen year old Curtis Goulden loved to collect comics and be a stereotypical geek. Talking to Dermot before his audition, he said: “I like to sing bad songs.” In front of the judges, he was very confident and sweet. With his guitar as accompaniment, he sang a soulful rendition on Christina Aguilera’s Candy Man. EF loved him! Who knew he could perform like that? After a rapturous applause, Louis said: “I didn’t know what to expect, you’ve got something!” Gary said: “Great audition, well done!” Mel B said: “I found it all a little bit irritating. The over-doing the comedic personality was a bit irritating.” Gary disagreed and said: “I’m giving you an enormous Yes!” He received three Yes’ and a No from Mel B – he got through!
Mel B continued her grumpiness with auditioned Maria, she said: “I’m giving you a big reality check – you should not be singing.” She told an other girl: “You look like a pop star, but you don’t sound like one.” A girl group came on, and she said: “That was sloppy.” Fair play to Mel, she says it like it is. 82 year old Lou came on stage and sang Adele’s To Make You Feel My Love. Gary said: “Lou, I thought it was a very nice audition.” Tulisa said: “That performance pulled on my heart string.” Mel said: “I actually wanted to fall asleep. I’m sorry, I have to be honest. It’s a no.” Oh Mel. You’re definitely Scary.
Will Mel B perk up? Ella Henderson from Lincolnshire was next to face her wrath. The sixteen year old has been writing her own songs for a long time and was doing it for her late Grandfather. Walking onto the stage wearing a pink floral dress, Ella felt very nervous. With a mature soulful voice, Ella sang her heart out. Not only can she sing, but her song writing talents are clearly amazing. She had EF, the panel and audience in tears. Mel told her: “your song writing is so clever, you made me go into my own little world. It was incredible.” Louis said: “You’re a class act.” Gary said: “Ella, that was out of this world. That was special.” Ella got through!
So that’s that. The X Factor 2012 has begun and it was a great episode and had everything we expected from the long-running talent show.
The X Factor continues next Saturday at 8pm on ITV1.
