Today's Entertainment

All of the judges weigh in on the ABCs of 'The X Factor' By Jacqueline Cutler © Zap2it The season's most hyped show, "The X Factor," asks the $5 million question: Who has the X Factor, and what, exactly, is it? Simon Cowell, executive producer of the singing con- test, a U.K phenomenon, re- turns as a judge with former "American Idol" colleague Paula Abdul, record executive L.A. Reid and performer Ni- cole Scherzinger. The show is Fox's prime time for Wednes- day and Thursday, Sept. 21 and 22, and continues on both nights until its Dec. 22 finale. Given that it is a Fox talent show for singers, with Cowell and Abdul judging, compari- sons to "American Idol" are inevitable. "It is different," Cowell says. "I was always working on both shows, and 'Idol' is a pussycat and this show is a tiger. Both are cats and one is crazier than the other. This is much more a reflection of my personality than the other show. Instead of auditions in a hotel room, these are in front of 5,000 people." Not that a producer would deflect buzz, but Cowell ac- knowledges this show has attracted more attention than would be expected of his re- union with Abdul. "I think part of the reason is we have had so many people come to the audi- tions," Cowell says. "We must have had 70,000 people. And they all Twitter now, and they started the buzz. It is a good show." Singers vie to win TV's largest prize ever — a $5 million Syco Sony record contract. The winner will also be featured in a Super Bowl commercial for Pepsi, a show sponsor. After two weeks of audi- tion shows, contestants hone skills in boot camp. The 32 acts that survive boot camp are then divided into four categories: males 12 to 30, females 12 to 30, everyone over 30, and singing groups. Each judge is assigned a group and mentors those singers. This becomes a full- time experience as they all live in the judges' homes or a vacation home or another spot the judge chooses, says Ann-Marie Thomson, head of media for Cowell's Syco En- tertainment. Judges then halve the number of contestants before they debut on the live show Nov. 2. Given the ferocity of the competition, Abdul suggests a sure-fire way for singers to stand out from the crowd. "If you want to do really well on 'X Factor,' kiss Si- mon's ass," Abdul says, grin- ning. "His ego loves that. And the worst thing you can do is kiss Simon's ass because it annoys me seeing him gloat!" Abdul rocks a lacy white mini, a silver belt and match- ing heels, purse and nails. Discover Unique Gifts, Crafts, Antiques, and Home Décor Spend the day in our shopping leisurely for crafts and gifts in our 70,000 square foot climate controlled environment. Then, take a walk down and discover Specialty Gift Shoppes with wonderful treasures such as: P. Graham, Dunn Art, Lambright Windchimes, Lang Calendars, just to name a few. Or Find and collectibles in our indoor Antique & Flea Market - also located in our Mall. B Dutch Village Borkholder Antiques, Crafts, and Gift Mall 700 N Tomahawk Tr., Nappanee, IN 574.773.2828 • www.borkholder.com She says she's thrilled to work with Cowell again. As befits Cowell's arch honesty, he says, "She can be, at one point totally en- dearing, and within seconds the most annoying person in the world! I don't know if she does it deliberately. When we fall out, if one of us is resist- ing, it turns into a full-scale argument." If Cowell dismisses some- one and Abdul champions them, viewers can expect a reasoned business decision from Reid, CEO of Sony's Epic Group. Given that Reid was instrumental in the ca- reers of Usher, Pink, Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Avril Lavigne, Rihanna and Kanye West, he relies on his gut. "I don't trust anyone else's taste," he says. "Would you let anyone decorate your home? It's personal. My choice has always been to see talent raw." As far as spotting who has the X Factor, Reid says, "it's a combination of things that makes someone. It's magne- tism and personality. It's inter- esting to see when someone is too rehearsed and too learned. That's boring." Auditions, especially when one's future hangs on it, can- not be boring. Of the judges, former Pussycat Doll Scherz- inger knows that so well. "It is the same audition process I got my start in with 'Popstars' and I just feel like I am still doing it," she says. "I can empathize." She recalls how excited she was to guest host on the U.K. version, now in its eighth season. Scherzinger has that naked ambition that Cowell seeks in a winner. "I will find an opportunity to be on the show," she says. "I have my album coming out. The main reason I am excited is to give back in some way." Regardless of coaching, even from Scherzinger (a winner of "Dancing with the Stars") and Abdul (who has consistently reinvented her- self as a dancer, singer and mentor), what can't be taught is the X Factor. It's what cata- pults someone from anonym- ity to superstardom. The X Factor seems elu- sive until that rare individual has it and shines. Schedule your FREE cataract consultation today! 800.283.8393 www.bolingvisioncenter.com GOSHEN OFFICE 1615 Winsted Drive | Goshen IN 46526 "Susan Boyle —- you could not describe her as somebody having the X Fac- tor," Cowell says, "because of the way she handled the audition, she definitely had it. You have to have an open mind. Boy when they've got it they have got it. The audi- ence gets it as well. And you feel it." "The X Factor is some- thing you can't quite ar- ticulate it," Abdul says. "But it is a feeling and bearing witness to something that just happened. When you see someone that pos- sesses the X Factor, you get goosebumps. And you witness something that can be life-changing, and you're witnessing something that just changes your life in a remarkable way." DuMor Water Specialists Inc. ... Delivering Quality Products & Services Since 1952 Clearing Facts about cataracts! Vision blurry or foggy? Colors dull or muted? Glasses no longer working? Decreased night vision? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may have cataracts. things up ... Nicole Scherzinger, Steve Jones, Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul (from left) star in "The X Factor," premiering Wednesday on Fox. 2 The Goshen News • Viewer's Choice • Saturday, September 17 - Friday, September 23, 2011 www.wedumor.com 522-9500 Providing the water your family deserves! Call today for a FREE In-Home Quote!

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