We have all been hearing about “The X Factor” for about five years and now it has finally arrived in America, the first show premiered on Wednesday, September 21st. Thousands of hopefuls–young and old, rich and downtrodden, including that pervert/mental screwball, Geo Godley–auditioned with the desire to fulfill their lifelong dream and to provide themselves and their families a much better life.
The question most people probably ask, is “The X Factor” any different than “American Idol”? Yes and no. “The X Factor” is just like “American Idol” in that it is exclusively a singing competition. In many ways, though, “The X Factor” is bigger than “American Idol”. Years ago, I used to love “American Idol”. I lived for the day when a new season premiered and I wouldn’t miss watching Idol for anything. But once Simon Cowell left the show, Idol was not the same. But now Cowell has brought “The X Factor”, a hit talent show in Britain, to America and Paula Abdul has eagerly jumped on board this new venture as a judge, along with L.A. Reid and Nicole Scherzinger.
“The X Factor” is the new “American Idol” and better. Not only do contestants have to perform before a panel of judges, they must perform in an auditorium before an audience of more than 4,000 people. Anyone in the age range from 12 to 80 can audition and they can perform in groups or as solo artists. The winner of this competition gains a $5 million recording contract.
Besides the few weirdoes that repulsed many viewers, there were those powerfully talented people who touched our lives with their stories of struggle and hardship. No one will forget about 13-year-old Rachel Crow who lives in a two bedroom house with her family of six; Stacy Francis, the 42-year-old single mother who had been told repeatedly by her ex-boyfriend that she was too old and not good enough to make it as a singer; Marcus Canty, a 20-year-old man nearing the end of his mother’s two year limit to make it as an artist; Chris Rene, a recovering alcoholic/drug addict and father aspiring to change his path and to give his son a better life. These contestants brought the audience to tears or to their feet and impressed all four judges. These are the people who, with no shadow of a doubt, will rise to the highest heights in the music industry.
All in all, “The X Factor” is off to a very strong start. However, it will be interesting to see how things turn out, especially once it moves from auditions into elimination time. How will people work together when everyone is competing for the $5 million award? Will every artist work together as well as they did on “American Idol”? Will the judges–especially Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid–be as soft as they are now? We will have to stay tuned to find out.
Deanna Proach is the author of two novels–Day of Revenge and To be Maria. Day of Revenge (Inkwater Press) is a historical fiction set in Revolutionary France and To be Maria is a YA suspense that is about two teenage girls who seek acceptance only to find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.