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X Factor

It’s back and this year it’s bigger than ever. No.1 caught up with those four famous faces to find out the behind the scenes gossip and to see if those hatchets have finally been buried

The X Factor is back on our screens and from now until Christmas our Saturday, and now Sunday, nights are all set to be full of tears, tantrums and some truly terrifying singers. Hopefully, there will be a few terrific ones too, but let’s be honest, The X Factor isn’t just about singing! Last year the nation was gripped by the judges’ spectacular fights, Cheryl’s fashion choices and Simon’s cutting comments and this series it looks set to be no different – despite Louis and Dannii’s claims that they have kissed and made up! However, there are a few changes.

Firstly, the auditions have been given a whole new look. Instead of taking place behind closed doors they have been brought out into the open in the style of Britain’s Got Talent and held in front of live audiences of thousands. Secondly, the results are no longer going to be revealed on the Saturday night following the live show. Instead there will be a Sunday night results show that will feature guest stars rumoured to include Madonna and Robbie Williams.

Everything else, however, will remain the same with each of the four judges mentoring either the boys, the girls, the 25 and overs or the groups, and all battling to make sure that one of their acts is crowned the winner.

We caught up with the fab four; Simon, Louis, Dannii and Cheryl to find out what they think of the changes, how they all feel to be back and whether there’s a chance their fighting could end in fisticuffs this year!

Simon, why did you make the changes to the auditions?
It was time to change things, make it different and make it more challenging. I have always believed in change. The audience brings something completely new to the auditions; it’s tougher but it brings new dimensions to the performances. We are looking for a winner who has the whole package: vocally as well as charisma and stage presence. Holding auditions in front of a live audience is testing but also allows certain people and real talent to shine from day one and that’s why we’ve done the show this way round. The acts really have to perform from the moment they step out.

Are you pleased with the new format?
I believe in changing and constantly raising the bar and with the change in the audition process it feels bigger right from the outset. Thousands of people have watched parts of auditions and have been part of it. If I didn’t believe the show would be bigger and find someone better every year, I wouldn’t do it.

Louis, are you happy with the show changes this year?
I’m really pleased with all the changes this year on the show. Everything is so much bigger and with the new live audience during the auditions it really feels more exciting and creates a great atmosphere.

Are you pleased that you are all back on the judging panel?
Simon: I’m really pleased we are all back on the panel this year. We have a great dynamic and all get on well – however each of us is very competitive and when it comes to the show we want to win, simple as that.
Louis: It’s great that everyone is back this year. It works and you get four opinions!

Dannii what about you? You seemed to have a pretty tough time with Louis last year, how do you feel to be back?
I am loving it. There is a great vibe on set, with lots of hysterical laughing and Louis and I have now made up!

Simon, what are you looking for on this year’s show?
I hope that over the past few years, we’ve encouraged a different type of contestant. I would love to find a great male singer this year; the girls have kind of dominated it and it’s time for the boys to fight back. I would love to find someone different – I don’t want someone who sounds like someone else. I want to find someone who is going to represent this country all over the world like Leona Lewis has done. And when you hear their record on the radio, I want to be able to say, ‘This show helped to launch your career’. That’s the best feeling and that’s what I want to do again.

To the other judges, what are you looking for?
Louis: During the auditions, I look for something the public will like, somebody who genuinely loves music and who has potential and likeability.
Dannii: I love the mix of talent with a confident personality, while also being humble and showing a vulnerable side. It takes a lot of guts to get up there and the more they show me who they are and let me into their world, I am hooked. It’s not about being perfect, just being fabulously unique.
Cheryl: I know it sounds cheesy but I look for the full package – someone with ‘The X Factor’. I look for someone with a bit of sparkle about them and that means someone that has more to them than just a good voice.

Which category would you like to mentor this year and why?
S: The category that’s going to win!
L: I’ve already said on record that I think the over 25s are great this year so I would say them. The boys are good too.
D: Every category has strong contenders, but I feel passionate about the girls. They have gone under the radar so far this year but I believe some stand-out performances are about to happen.

Who on the judging panel do you find you mostly agree with?
D: This year I feel we have all had our own strong opinion and we have each pleaded for another judge to say a ‘yes’ so we can get someone through that we believe in. Hopefully this way, no talent has been left behind.
C: I hate to say this but I tend to agree with Simon but at the same time, I’m more than happy to disagree with him!

Which city produced the most talented singers this year?
L: London without doubt had the best singers this year, we’ve had some fantastic talent come through. Well done London!
D: Yes, I agree. Definitely London, by a mile.

What kind of judge are you?
D: I’d say I am a fair judge. I’m not afraid to say what I don’t like and will fight for someone I believe in. I love to spot talent and my favourite part is the live shows where I can work with the contestants to give them the chance to ‘live their dream.’
C: I think I’m at a slight advantage to the other judges as I’ve been in the process before so maybe I can be more considerate at times. I understand how the contestants are feeling, especially when they’re singing in front of us and now with the new audition format, in front of an audience of 2,000!

What did you enjoy most about the new look audition days?
L: I think the element that I enjoyed most was the audience. Every city we’ve visited felt different every time and there’s nowhere to hide!
D: I love the live audience. They create a magic buzz which even gives the judges tingles of nerves before the contestants have stepped on stage. This is the first year the judges have been able to glimpse if someone has performance skills this early. It quickly separates the ones who love the stage and are born for it from the ones where you envisage a trapdoor actually being helpful!
C: I really enjoyed the auditions but this year the whole process has been different. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the changes at first. The new look auditions benefit not only the acts but also us, as the audience let us know if they think differently to us about an act and sometimes we change our mind. It’s great for us as judges because we get to see how an act can handle performing on stage to a crowd and they get a fantastic opportunity to perform on stage. It’s so much more exciting, people really have the chance to shine and show us earlier what they’re made of.

Any memorable auditions this year?
S: There have been some outstanding auditions this year and some totally bizarre ones. There are a few which spring to mind but I don’t want to go into detail. A lot can change as the series goes on and acts develop differently. We have had great performances from acts in each category so it’s going to be a great competition and I think everyone will be surprised by some of the auditions who really stand out.
D: We’ve had an amazing Afro rocker and he totally took over the stage! His first performance was pure perfection, and his second bordered on scenes from the movie classic This Is Spinal Tap. It’s absolute TV gold!
C: Yeah he was AMAZING! He totally blew everyone away on stage. The audience buzz during and after his performance was electric. We also had a guy who came on and sang a ballad and he created that same kind of audience buzz.

Tell us once and for all, what is ‘The X Factor’?
L: It’s really hard to define or find – I think it’s someone with talent, likeability, a good work ethic, personality and charm. It’s somebody that’s got everything!
D: It’s something you can’t describe or bottle, but you know it when you see or hear it.

Simon, how do you know when you’ve found the ‘one’?
I think most of the time you just know. When you have a really special artist walk on stage it’s immediate. I’m very instinctive and you can feel it, even the audience’s reaction and the atmosphere just changes. Someone brilliant just walks on stage and you know they’ve got it. 

Are you pleased with the progress Alexandra, last year’s winner, has made with her new album?
S: Alexandra is doing fantastically, she’s developing as an artist and the music is totally personal to her. Musically the album reflects her personality. She’s been working with some of the world’s top producers and she is determined and enjoying every moment of it.

Louis, have you been pleased with JLS’s progression since last year’s show ended?
I’m so pleased and proud of JLS. They worked so hard on the show last year and have worked extra hard since it finished. As a group they deserve every success.

Finally Simon, how would you sum up this year’s show?
It’s bigger, better, faster and tougher. I think every year we strive to find talent that’s better and better. I definitely believe there’s still a lot of talent in this country and that’s why we do the show. Winning this show can change someone’s life forever – it’s as simple as that. One minute you’re singing in your bedroom, suddenly you can be a star all over the world. That’s what can happen and that’s what this show is about.

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