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No.1 for Interviews - David Coulthard

The X Factor inside scoop…from the new lineup!
After months of hype the most talked about TV - judges finally chat to No.1

Tulisa Contostavlos

Who? Tulisa Contostavlos, age 23, is part of urban pop trio N-Dubz. Her group have had eight top 40 hits, sold 1.2 million records and won four MOBO awards.

What kind of judge is she? Tulisa is known for being outspoken and tough but it looks like she has a nurturing side similar to her predecessor Cheryl Cole.

Can she win it? So far the betting odds of Tulisa being the mentor of the winning act are 5/2.

What appealed to you about becoming a judge on The X Factor?
Who wouldn’t want to be an X Factor judge?! It’s a job I’ve always wanted to do. I love the fact that we’re changing people’s lives. I love that it’s all about the music and that I can put the knowledge I’ve learnt to good use and really help people.

Has it been difficult to take on the role and be the ‘new girl’?
It’s a whole new world for me but I’m definitely enjoying it! I feel like I’m embarking on a new journey in my life.

How are the new judging panel getting on with each other?
We’re getting on almost too well. I feel like I’m part of a new family. It’s like being in N-Dubz… but without the arguments.

Have you missed working with your bandmates Fazer and Dappy?
I still get to work with them on a regular basis as N-Dubz are still really busy. So doing the show just gives me some ‘me time’.

When you see nervous auditionees up on stage for the first time does it take you back to when you were just starting out?
I can definitely relate to them. It reminds me of the drive I had when I was a kid to get to where I am today.

When an act is up on stage and just aren’t as good as they think they are – do you find it hard to be blatantly honest with them?
I’d like to think I’m perceptive to people’s emotions. If I think they can handle the truth then I’ll give it to them. If not I’ll be more subtle. It is hard with the more delicate acts though. You have to let them down gently, especially considering the courage it takes to get on that stage in the first place.

Which of the cities that you travelled to for auditions had the best talent?
We’ve found such a variety of acts, each one from different parts of the UK. So luckily enough I don’t have to choose as each city brought a different vibe to the table.

Has there been any acts so far that have really stood out to you?
There certainly has, but you’ll just have to wait and see.

Which category would you like to mentor?
Now that would be telling. I don’t want the other judges to know who I want as they might try and grab them!

What would you sing if you were to audition for The X Factor?
I’d probably write my own song to show that I was a writer as well as an artist.

Gary Barlow

Who? Gary, age 40, is one of the most celebrated singer/ songwriters in the UK and has had 12 no.1’s during his career as well as winning five Ivor Novello awards for songwriting.

What kind of judge is he? Gary has taken on the ‘Mr Nasty’ role but not in the same style as Simon Cowell – instead he is just dead set on being brutally ‘real’ with the contestants.

Can he win it? So far the betting odds of Gary being the mentor of the winning act are 9/4.

What made you decide to get involved with this year’s X Factor?
It always comes back to talent for me. I wanted to be part of the process of finding a star. You can be sat through four hours of auditions and nobody grabs your attention, and then that one ‘star’ walks out on stage and it reminds me of why I’m there judging. It’s kind of sweet for me because I’ve just played loads of dates on the Take That tour, which is the biggest tour we’ve ever done, so it’ll be nice for me to go on and spend the next six months of the year finding the country’s next big star.

How have you found being a judge so far?
So far I’ve found it very interesting. I’d always watched The X Factor and wondered how the auditions were done so it’s been fascinating to sit on the panel and be part of them. I just find it so interesting! Every time someone walks on stage it’s something completely different from the last person, so the variety is immense and there’s not any point during the day where I think ‘Oh, I’ve had enough of this now’.

There’s been a lot of hype and controversy about the new lineup, do you think it’s working?
I think the new lineup is going really well. I’m really enjoying everyone’s company and I really hope everyone watching is enjoying it too.

When you’re watching people audition, especially the younger kids, does it take you back to when you were starting out in the industry?
Yeah the young auditionees definitely take me back to when I was starting out in the music industry. They just bound up onto the stage, full of energy, and it really reminds me of my teenage years. They come on and they are so excited and it’s great when you get a good audition because you know that you could help them onto the next stage of their career. It’s a really good feeling.

What do you think you will bring to the show as a judge that is different to what we’ve seen in previous years?
Louis has already proved himself as the longest standing judge on The X Factor so I’m well aware that all eyes will be on the new judges to see what we’ll bring to the table. I just want to be here to help people and I want them to be able to look up to me and be able to say to me, “Tell me… do I do this or that?” And I suppose in terms of who they could have picked to be
the new judges alongside Louis, there’s no one more valid then me, Kelly and Tulisa because we’re out there doing it right
now. We’re selling tickets, selling records, and we’re out there doing what these guys want to be doing.

You’ve quickly become known as the new ‘Mr Nasty’ but would you say you’re just being honest with the candidates?
I don’t think it’s about me dashing people’s hopes, it’s about being real with them. But if I disliked a performance I tell them that I didn’t enjoy it much. We have to be real with them!

Did any of the cities you visited really stand out as far as talent goes?
Liverpool and Manchester have been the stand out cities for me. I think the fact that the show has never done auditions in Liverpool before has really brought out the best talent. Overall, there have been about 10 acts in general that have really stood out for me.

What are you looking for from the acts this year?
They obviously have to have a really good voice because without that it’s hard to think where they’d go. And they need to have the passion, the personality, the stage-presence… I’m looking for the overall package. But, having said that, if someone came on stage and had an amazing voice but just kept their eyes shut the whole time that’s enough for me. I think over the next few months we could train them in the rest of the skills.

Finally… what is the category you would most like to mentor?
I’d really like to mentor the boys. I think there are loads and loads of strong contenders in the boys category this year.

Louis Walsh

Who? Louis has been a judge on The X Factor for eight years as well as the manager of Boyzone and Westlife. He was also briefly the manager of Girls Aloud.

What kind of judge is he? Louis has been critcised for being ‘dated’ as he styles all of his performers the same and suggest they sing power ballads. It’s unlikely that his tactics have changed for this series.

Can he win it? So far the betting odds of Louis being the mentor of the winning act
are 5/2.

You’re a veteran of The X Factor now – this is your eighth season! Have you given the new judges any advice?
Of course, I’ve given them all advice, but whether they’ve listened and taken it is another matter! After eight years on the show and being the only surviving original judge I was expecting to be head judge this year, but on day one Gary stole my head judge mug and sat in Simon’s old seat… there’s always next year I suppose!

How do you think the new judges are all getting on with each other?
The panel is working so well, there’s really good chemistry and energy between us all. It’s really the most fun I’ve ever had filming the show and I think it’s going to be a great series. I’ve always been a huge fan of Gary’s so it’s great to work with him. Kelly is a revelation and so passionate. And she’s definitely competitive so she’ll be the one to watch in the live shows. And I didn’t really know who Tulisa was before but now I feel like I’ve known her all my life. She’s so real and has had an incredible life, I think she’ll be a huge asset to the panel.

Are you missing Simon?
Yes, I do miss the fun with him because we are such good mates… even if I hate to admit it. Although without him it means filming has started and finished on time.

Are there any things in particular that auditionees always do or say or sing that really annoys you after all these years?
Yes! After eight years I have really grown to hate the clichés such as “Music is my life”, “It’s my passion”, “I was born to do this,” I’ve been singing since I was a baby.” And I hate to say it but I’m so bored of the sobs stories! But clichéd lines are the worst!

What has been the most memorable audition for you and why?
There have been a lot of memorable auditions this year for different reasons. The talent level is better than ever. The good ones are some of the best we’ve ever seen and the bad ones are some of the worst we’ve ever seen.

Which city had the best singing talent?
Every city has delivered this year. Glasgow and Cardiff especially surprised us this year. But it’s all down to what happens at Boot Camp as we need them to be versatile and you see a different side when they are given songs they’d never normally choose to sing.

What kind of thing are you looking for in the winner of this year’s competition?
I’m looking for passion and hard work. This is all about finding someone who genuinely wants a career in the music industry and is willing to work for that. We don’t want someone that’s just looking for 15 minutes of fame.

Which category are you desperate to mentor this year?
I don’t care. I never get the category I like so I will take what is given and make the most of it.

What would you sing if you were auditioning for the show?
I would sing something different, never a well-known pop song. Then you won’t be judged on a comparison to the original.

Kelly Rowland

Who? American Kelly, age 30, was a member of Destiny’s Child with her cousin Beyoncé. The group sold over 60 million records and won numerous awards. Kelly has won a Grammy as a solo star and tops charts around the world.

What kind of judge is she? So far Kelly has gone down the warm, compassionate route but underneath her smiley exterior is a fierce competitor who wants the best group to mentor.

Can she win it? At the moment the odds are 11/4 for Kelly to win.

What made you decide to get involved with the UK X Factor?
Everyone has watched The X Factor and I’m sure everyone has an opinion on the type of artists they like. For me it was really about being able to discover new talent, working with the team to develop the raw talent that steps into the auditions and working to steer that person into becoming a real recording artist. Also, coming from my background – where I was exposed to music from a young age – I know how much passion drives you, even when you’re scared. My nurturing side just comes out automatically in this role, so to work with someone on their journey is something I’m going to embrace.

How have you found being a judge so far?
I love spending all of this time in the UK, seeing my fans, being able to enjoy the place plus the weather has actually been quite good most of the time! Really, I’m having a great time on The X Factor, the entire team are so welcoming and so professional and I love that I can sit and have a ‘cuppa’ with everyone.

How are you all getting on together on the new judging panel?
Wonderfully! Our chemistry is incredible, we’re all so different but we have so much fun! Backstage there are always smiles, laughter and messing around. You feel blessed to be around three talented people, but let’s not forget what we’re here for. I know once everyone gets their categories things will get real competitive! We’re all competitive!

How do you think the talent in the UK compares to the talent in the US?
The common denominator is just talent. There is no difference when it comes to talent.

Does seeing the young auditionees up onstage take you back to when you were just starting out in the business?
Absolutely, and it makes you want to work harder! I think as an artist you draw inspiration from so many thinks and so many people, we are always growing. So I’m inspired by the talent I see. 

Have you found it hard being brutally honest with singers who think they’re really good when… they’re not?
In this industry you need constructive criticism to make you stronger and grow. I would never sugarcoat anything nor would I want to be outright rude. I’ll always offer my professional opinion and advice in the hope that it helps someone, whether they make it through to the next stage or not.

What city do you think had the best singing talent?
Each city has a precious gem!

Have any of the acts really stood out for you so far?
Yes, several. And you’ll be able to judge for yourself when you see them!

What are you looking for from this year’s contestants?
A uniqueness. A likeable factor. Heart. Passion. Hunger. Worldwide appeal. There is no reason why the UK X Factor winner can’t make a mark all over the world. Leona Lewis was a great example of that. The UK just has such amazing talent. Your artists are all over our US charts right now and we love them!

Which category would you like to mentor and why?
I am confident that I can do well in all categories because the talent is there.

What would you sing if you were auditioning for The X Factor?
Whitney Houston, ‘I Have Nothing’ – I love that song!

 

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