Well for those who are avid X Factor viewers the show is now underway in it’s latest incarnation. Week 1 of the auditions has seen some highs and lows and raised a few points about the impartiality of the show.

It has been reported that with the addition of Gary Barlow Simon Cowell is now dead as far as the X Factor goes. Whilst Cowell may appear dead from the neck up due to so much botox, the reality is quite different. Despite reports that Gary Barlow has taken on Simons mantle, Gary and Kelly are also reportedly getting advice from beyond the grave from the said Mr Cowell. It would make a great Hollywood horror movie as if he is dead as far as the X Factor is concerned the late Mr Cowell is it seems still the puppet master. It would seem that rumours of his demise may have been premature. It also makes me wonder that if the puppet master cut the strings would Gary and Kelly collapse like broken toys, only time will truly tell.

Taking a look at the new format with auditions in front of an audience and the use of technology, are we getting an accurate picture of talent? Before auditions were private, so no potential for influence from outside. Those auditioning did so without the use of technology such as radio microphones, mixing desks, backing tracks and professional sound engineers. With all the technology being used are we also seeing auto-tune? Is what we see a true representation or is it already manufactured at the audition stages? These are questions that may radically change how the X Factor is viewed for fairness. The hopefuls now even have dressing room facilities laid on.

Having watched the first auditions program I have to admit to being a little unimpressed in many ways. Much hype is being given to a few of those who made it through, and little to others. This to me is already establishing a two tier system. It almost screams, producers favourites and the publicity will only heighten the status of those few in the public perception, meaning they are more likely to go further. One thing the X Factor has been very good at over the years is influencing the public and to a degree the public vote. It was not having that control with Wagner in 2010 that caused the double elimination so that they could regain it.

So what did I think of the acts that were given the lions share of attention by the producers which is ultimately seized on by the media.

Frankie Cocozza

What did I make of Frankie? Well to be honest … not a lot. I have heard as good at a karaoke night before. Yes he was better than some but the selection we saw due to editing didn’t really give us a true picture of the other talent on display. Frankie to me epitomises the youth of today and the cult of fame. Ask a child what they want to be and it is a good chance you’ll get the reply … famous. Like many of today’s youth he sees fame as a right and feels that he is due success by right. He wants the glory, cars and to be sexually irresponsible knowing that if he makes it someone will be there to clean up whatever mess he makes. He sees fame as a right whereas it should be a privilege. Yes some of it is hype for the purposes of publicity, but to my mind there are better and more deserving acts out there.

Goldie Cheung

So Goldie has joined other hopefuls at the X Factor boot camp. I have to admit having watched her perform I am forced to ask why? Perhaps it is just to try and liven things up because it cannot be due to talent. Gary Barlow was right to say NO. He was however the only voice of sanity on the panel. Were the others given instructions by producers to let Goldie through? Her vocal performance was at best bad and no amount of coaching at boot camp will improve it, as for the rest of her “Stage Presence” I was left wondering when the ping pong balls were going to start flying. She may be a tai chi instructor from what is now Chinese Hong Kong but it was more an act for a cheap thai bar than for the X Factor. God help those at boot camp.

Kitty Brucknell

Before being seen auditioning on stage Kitty was being interviewed and in passing mentioned choreographers and producers she likes to work with. Now the X Factor is supposed to be for non professionals, yet Kitty also made reference to being in the entertainment industry with financial remuneration since she was 15. So it would seem that professional entertainers ARE allowed, in fact it is reported that Kitty was requested to audition by the shows production team. So what is Kitty’s story .. well as far as was revealed on the X Factor she is 26 and from Gloucestershire. She is also well known to those within the entertainment industry as Kimberly Dayle and also Kimberly Edwards, who has been a Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera Tribute act for many years and who now also does a Lady Gaga Tribute. The web site under clients also lists Sony which some might perceive as a conflict of interest from the music giant with whom the X Factor is linked, is 2010 beginning to appear all over again. Anyone who knows Kitty/Kimberly knows how good a voice she has, and that she is talented, to dispute such would be foolish, and her acapella showed her range, passion and microphone ability. She’s no stranger to TV, having made appearances on MTV, Sky TV, BBC, ITV,  Channel 4, The Travel Channel, Channel 10 Australia, among others, as well as  featuring in the top documentary “Britney Spears Saved My Life” made by Oscar  winning director Vikram Jayanti. Until being approached by the shows producers who had seen video footage of her Kitty/Kimberly had had no intention of entering the show.

Kitty Brucknell aka Kimberly Dayle As Britney Spears

Janet Devlin

She is a young 16 year old from a little town in Omagh Northern Ireland. She wowed the judges with her rendition of “Your Song” …… but does she have the X Factor? Janet comes across as the innocent teen who is taking her first steps in the outside world. She has a naivety born of that innocence that music companies love to eat up and spoon feed and mould into a product. Her audition in many ways was unremarkable, to me her voice is average, at times her pitch was a little off, her Irish accent comes through like a lighthouse beam on a dark night and her diction / pronunciation could be clearer. Being young she has potential and can with the right tuition train her voice although we will have to wait to see if it develops the power it will also need. She reminds me of a young Bonnie Langford when I look at her, the hair colour is different but they both share similar features and that innocent clean look, I just hope she doesn’t have to grow up too fast to keep pace with her fellow contestants.

Roxy Yarnold

Roxy a 19 year old pizza maker from Essex. She wowed the judges with her rendition of ” Georgia On My Mind”. In what little we saw she had a voice filled with power and passion, a great voice for a great song. Gary Barlow described Roxy’s voice as Brown Sugar. What we saw of Roxy was very brief so I did a little digging and came up with some more information. The following is all in Roxy’s own words …….

I’m Roxy. I have been singing and performing since I can remember. I have co-written and worked with various songwriters and  producers since the age of 11 and I am now hoping to find the right people to collaborate with!!

Experience

2010

• The ICMP : Awarded a full Vocal Scholarship after an audition process at the Institute Of Contemporary Music, London, UK
• Andrew Lloyd Webbers Over the Rainbow : Reached the final 40 (boot camp) on Andrew Lloyd Webbers search for a new Dorothy, London, UK

2009

• Essex Factor : Awarded First Prize in Essex’s best Songwriter competition ran by Essex County Council, London, UK

2008

• G4 TOUR : Support act/ warm up act for G4 on the London dates of their tour. This included The Royal Albert Hall, and other venues singing acoustic original and cover songs, London, UK
• Shayne Ward Tour : Support act/ warm up act for Shayne Ward on his UK/ Ireland Tour. I toured for just over 3 months as an acoustic artist singing original songs and covers and even performed at Wembley., London, UK
• Westlife Summer Nights Tour : Support act/ warm up act for Westlife on their Summer Nights Tour. I toured for just under 3 months performing in around 15 shows in England., London, UK

What I find intriguing is that not one of the points of who was worked with in 2008 was picked up on at all.

Heshima Thompson

Heshima wowed the judges with Ushers song “Oh My God”, the choice of which may have been a very sound tactical move as Kelly is reported to be getting help from Usher Raymond. We saw a little body popping, slightly reminiscent of the late Michael Jackson and the hair looks like it has been styled on OutKasts Andre 3000. Its the mix and match look of styles, slightly more Next than Primark. So what do we know of this 24 year old. Well he auditioned for the X Factor back in 2009 and went to boot camp but failed the final cut. He has recently starred in Eastenders spin off E20 and he has been a backing singer for the late Amy Winehouse. Yet another hopeful who seems to have a professional pedigree.

SoSo Status

Well I have not yet been able to find out much about these 4 ladies. I am sure information will be forthcoming at some point and so will be keeping my eyes open.

The Talentless Majority

As with all things X Factor we were treated to those without a shred of talent too. Bigged up by friends or family they think that they have what it takes to be a star, however family and friends aren’t always the best judges. We have seen it before and will do so again, people who are rejected and who cannot handle it, spewing verbal abuse and insults to cover their own inadequacies. Tulisa came on the receiving end after George (pictured left) performed Ne-Yo song badly and went walkabout in the audience, only to be brought back by X Factor staff. Whilst annoyed at his comments Tulisa saying that if she wasn’t on the X Factor she would have hit him, sends the wrong signals to today’s youth. People will often say things you don’t like but that is not an excuse for violence and Tulisa should in actions and words set a better example. I am sure she has been called many things and been criticised within her time in the music industry and she should be used to it. IF YOU CAN’T TAKE CRITICISM DON’T ENTER.

Conclusion.

I think it is apparent that there is much professional talent taking part in this years X Factor. I have spoken with ITV and the company behind the X Factor for clarification on eligibility for the show. It seems that the word professional has many meanings and is open to interpretation. The dictionary definition of professional as pertaining to entertainment is as follows:
Expert and specialized knowledge in field which one is practicing professionally
A high standard of professional ethics, behavior and work activities while carrying out one’s profession
Excellent manual/practical skills in relation to profession
Participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor
A professional is an expert who is master in a specific field

On the X Factor though it seems professional means representation by a major and well known management company. Which basically means they can’t sign you up how they want so making you useless. Not so much a widening of goalposts more sticking sticks in the ground on 2 different continents. It makes me realise why many people with brains question the shows validity, and its impartiality. As always though it is your opinions, the readers that count.

© 2011 Paul Sims. CEE Worldwide Entertainment Agency