The X Factor Season 2: The Premier!

ETA: FULL AUDIO from the Providence Auditions, including Jillian Jensen’s audition HERE.

ETA: MORE on Don Phillip. After Britney rejected him, he leaked one of her demos HERE. And there was a TON of Don’s backstory edited out. He came as gay in front of the judges and the audience. Check it out HERE.

It’s time for the highly-anticipated X Factor’s second season!  Will X Factor trump the Voice?  Will Britney and Demi deliver?  Who will earn the $5 million!  Tonight we start a long journey on the X Factor!

Before we start, let me just clarify that this is Stavros live blogging tonight–the lovely MJ has enough on her hands tonight!  I’ve done quite a few posts here, but please blame me for your complaints, not MJ :)

If you are reading these words, congrats on choosing the X Factor over the Voice in this war of the reality television shows (kidding!).  We open up with a shout-out from One Direction!  Quick montage of big X Factor names–Leona Lewis, Cher Lloyd, and One Direction.  Demi and Britney are very excited and think that they understand talent.  Simon says we’ll see them unfiltered, and Britney wants to find a new Britney!

This is odd not having a host…you don’t know who is speaking to you!  You see a lot more of contestant crowds and their own experiences/excitement.  Our auditions begin in Austin, Texas.  LA says it’s showtime, Demi is beginning a new journey, Simon is excited, and the crowd is obsessed with Britney.  Britney is afraid to be opinionated and to crush dreams.  When the judges step out of their limos Britney overwhelmingly gets the loudest reception.

The judges step into the theater!  Again, Brit Brit is on top with cheers.  Funny how the judge next to Simon is always moved.  Cheryl was fired, and we know that Britney switches spots with Demi as the season progesses.

Paige Thomas – I’m Going Down – Major Britney fan! Her daughter’s name is Jade.  Rachel Crow had this first audition spot just last year!  Wants to be a nurse but her passion is singing.  Her daughter inspires her to move forward.  Annoying blond sisters are making faces when Paige is talking.  She has a cool growl, but man she doesn’t have very good control.  Her voice is warbling over nerves.  Jazzlyn from last season did it better, but Paige is still good.  Britney says she’s bright and flawless.  LA says she’s a star.  Reminds him of Rihanna–they have the same “something special.”  Demi thinks she’s a total superstar.  Simon says she’s got a responsibility that she’s taking seriously, in addition to looking and sounding like a popstar.  One of his favorite auditions ever (disagree–sorry!!).  2 yeses, a “holy cow yes” from Brit, and a “holy cat yes” from Simon!  A little disappointed with this first audition.  It was good, not special.

And the first contestant we all want to slap is….

Kaci Newton – Wants to boot all the competition out.  Has a horrible horrible attitude and is bullying Paige.  She says she’s a mixture of Adele and Carrie Underwood.  We’ll see about that.  She and her sister Kaylee are seriously annoying.  Total villain edit already and we’re only 10 minutes in!  “She got this.”  She and her sister are complete “Mean Girls.”  HEY they’re making fun of the “non-pretty” people in the room, why is X Factor elaborating so much on them?  We’re skipping ahead, is she not singing or….

Shawn Armenta – Candy Girl – Missed his name, not sure if it’s spelled right hehe.  He says he’s in the studio basically 24/7.  He’s singing an original song called “Candy Girl.”  Odd robotic dancing to start.  Britney looks frightened.  Joke contestant #1!  Demi is shaking her head.  Britney still looks like she’s staring at a tarantula.  He ends and everyone is completely silent…LOL!   Simon says he’s a mouse trying to be an elephant–it was wrong.  Shawn denies that he’s bad and he works too hard.  Demi says everyone works hard for their dreams, and Shawn talks about Demi using autotune.  Britney asks who let him on stage (the XF producers looking for trainwrecks, duh) and says that she feels majorly uncomfortable.  He’s basically kicked off the stage by Brit.

Britney is pretty humorous with her negative comments in this montage of horrible auditions!  The other judges think she’s really mean and hilarious!  No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, and no!  Simon sarcastically remarks everyone thinks that HE’S the mean one!

Twitter is abuzz with X Factor!  In addition to excited tweets from celebrities like Ellen, Justin Bieber, and Lady Gaga, all the contestants so far have trended.

Reed Deming – It Will Rain – Looks like Justin Bieber apparently.  He’s only 13 and everyone thinks he’s the Biebs.  He’s willing to crawl on broken glass for the opportunity!  He said he sang Frank Sinatra at age 5. Very well spoken for such a young age!  Girls in the audience are going crazy for him already.  He’s extremely extremely nervous and is on the edge of tears quivering.  Simon stops him and wants a different song.  He has to work harder on his vocals and calm down Simon says.  He switches over the Grenade.  He’s containing his nerves a little better but he’s still on shaking like crazy!  His pitch is suffering as a result but considerably better!  Now he’s getting into it!  Not vocally excellent, but nicely done Reed (for 13 years old).  Simon wants better vocals, but he thinks he’s a hard worker.  Demi says he’s adorable.  He reminds LA of Justin Bieber, but Reed doesn’t want to fall into the Bieber stereotype (yay)!  Oy is LA going to namecheck all his stars (Rihanna, Biebs) all season.  Britney finds him adorable…but what about the voice Brit!?!? Simon thinks he might be looking at a future popstar though! Yes from Simon, LA wants to take the ride (yes), he’s too cute for Demi to say no, and Britney says yes!  ANNOYING BLOND GIRL IN THE BACKGROUND AGAIN NOOOO.  Is she even singing or are they keeping her around for the trainwreck/drama/bullying?

Mc’kayla Miller – Listen – Bad singer. Gets literally 20 seconds of TV time.

Simon tells Demi to stay away from Niall Horan.  He’s pure he says.  Simon drills her on whether she’s kissed him, which Demi denies without a straight face.  That kind of judge banter is really enjoyable!

Kaci Newton – Firework – Big ego annoying blond girl is back!  She’s singing this time (fingers crossed).  She knows she’s going to be a legend.  Super country accent.  She reminds Simon of Britney.  “Stop!” shouts Britney when Simon stares her down.  She tries to make modern songs her own.  Oy she’s super flat!  Don’t like the scooping, but the audience is cheering.  I should be a judge on these shows, I’m a harsh critic.  I don’t like this at all.  Dipthongs aren’t properly enounced and this goes out of her vocal range.  She takes it down the octave and it’s a mess.  LOL at her friend’s face completely screw up when she realizes Kaci is horrible.  She’s moaning.  Simon: It sounded like you were dying and suffering and singing.  She sings “Mercy” and it’s not much better.  Four no’s across the table.  Simon calls her annoying and the crowd erupts in cheers.  Take it bully!

And we’re off to San Francisco!  Enter montage of terrible singers.  Also Demi and Britney played musical chairs!  Side note: Britney seems to be the breakout star, not Demi.  Hmm…

Quatrele – Born This Way – LOL at the guys checking him out thinking he’s a girl.  He’s in a skimpy wedding dress.  Total joke contestant.  Demi thinks he’s absolutely hilarious.  His strutting around at the beginning of Born This Way is so funny!  OH MY GOODNESS HE’S GOOD.  Sorry I was taken by surprise.  Good isn’t the word.  He’s not bad.  There.  He’s absolutely hilarious, and he’s not a terrible singer (still not good!).  Britney blows him a kiss. She adores him.  Demi loves him and his super pink lipstick!  Simon thinks he’s the child of Madonna, Bobby Brown, and Dracula.  LA- absolutely not. Britney-YES.  Demi-yes.  Simon-sometimes you have to go with the madness, and in this case that’s what I’m doing. YES.  Hahahahaha he’s through.  What just happened!?

Emblem3 – Sunset Boulevard (original song) – “Biological” brothers.  Used to be enemies but then they got together and jammed. NOT A BOYBAND.  Girls are going crazy. Wes, Drew, and Keaton, ages 15-19, make up the group.  Cool rock vibe!  Audience is going crazy.  Their harmonies could be tighter.  Oh wait they’re going to hip hop route now!  This is cool!  Not blown away, but they’ve got an awesome sound and dynamic!  LA doesn’t like it, he LOVES it.  Britney loved them.  Demi thinks they’re cute, they think Demi’s cute (Simon butts in-NO! to flirting).  Simon loved every second of the audition.  Audience is losing it.  He predicts big things for them.  He completely nails Vincent (see below).  Yes from all four judges!

Vincent Thomas – Sorry Seems To Be the Hardest Word – His tone is not bad.  Can use some more breath support to carry his phrases out and maintain pitch.  He also is very nervous.  Pretty tone, but he also is not very good.  Ooof the falsetto was rough.  Simon says he’s the one guy out of every boyband that doesn’t sing.  That’s Vincent.  It’s a no.  He’s not allowed into Emblem3 LOL.

Demi and Britney are loving being their judges.  They both hated hearing no when they weren’t ready, but they need to dish it back now.

Don Philip – Halo – Did a duet with Britney Spears 10 years ago, and it was the most amazing experience of his life.  It wasn’t enough, and he wasn’t ready at that time.  He’s working to find his sound now.  Poor guy has a little  bit of a lisp and a raspy voice–kind of cool!  I’m getting the vibe getting Britney’s approval is more important than winning the X Factor for him… Brit recognizes him right away (or someone told her that was him).  Britney says she recorded with him a long long time ago.  Simon asks him what happened in the past 10 years, and Don breaks down because he never thought he’s see Britney again.  Britney sighs in sadness.  Don felt he wasn’t ready, but now he wants his shot.  Emotional stuff.  He’s ready.  His lisp is a little obnoxious in his singing… Britney looks crushed that he’s not good.  Demi and Brit are avoiding eye contact with him.  Audience is cheering because…?  This is painful.  Not good, my friend.  Britney recorded with you!?  Britney is visibly shaken up and doesn’t want to criticize him.  Simon says he has to be honest and tells him his voice isn’t good.  Don calls out to Britney for a last chance.  Britney says he’s gone through hardships and battles, but his voice isn’t up to what the X Factor wants.  Tough love.  The audience doesn’t want another song.  Audience is totally against him!  Four no’s from the judges. Brit looks hurt as Don breaks down backstage.  Understandably, Britney says that was hard for her.  Don just didn’t want to hurt Britney.

Hello Providence, Rhode Island (MJ is in the crowd!)

Janelle Garcia – She’s into old rock, like Pat Benatar.  She’s GOOD!  Finally someone is wowing me!  I love the way she wails out those big notes.  Love love her.  Crowd is eating her up, and Janelle is feeding on their positive energy!  Super sexy voice with awesome energy!  Unlike some of our other female judges that would have been jealous (JLo, Xtina) Demi is cheering her right along!  Britney thought she was absolutely incredible.  Demi loves the way she goes from likeable to hot.  In her notes she literally wrote “HOT.”  Simon says the current music industry is missing someone like her, and she’s right on the money.  My personal favorite so far!  Yes, yes, yes, yes!  A “big, fat yes” from Simon!

Uvay Tridedi – Bad singer.  Simon asks animals if he likes animals.  Uvay likes puppies.  Simon tells him to go buy puppies to make him happy.  What? 4 no’s.  Awkward…

Jillian Jensen – Who You Are – She’s a Demi fan!  Jillian was bullied a lot growing up.  Demi looks like she completely feels Jillian’s pain.  Jillian was severely bullied in middle and high school.  She cried to sleep at night and music was her passion.  People brought her down for being the way she is.  People would prank call her and play her songs back as jokes.  It wasn’t fair.  Demi’s “Skyscraper,” the anthem for self-resilience, plays in the background.  Definitely most moving contestant story.  As Jillian is about to cry Demi flashes her a reassuring smile.  Demi says they’re both on the X Factor, and their bullies are sitting at home on their butts watching (I hope none of us are bullies!).  She’s singing “Who You Are,” my favorite Jessie J song!  Demi says you can feel her pain when she sings.  Interesting raspy tone.  She’s not perfect, but you physically feel her pain.  Jillian is really good.  You can feel the pain exuding from her.  Jillian is on the verge of tears as Demi’s eyes are moistening.  She fights her way through tears to finish the song.  Audience is going crazy!  Jillian can’t stop crying.  Demi’s coming up for a hug!  Leona Lewis’ “Footprints in the Sand” plays in the background.  Jillian completely breaks down when Demi hugs her and smiles at her. So cool how Demi is ignoring the thousands in the audience and having a quiet one-on-one conversation with Jillian.  LA has never heard anyone pull their pain into their art the way she did.  She’s got it.  Jillian is crying happy tears.  Britney says her voice is sexy and smooth and raspy.  Simon says she was incredible after taking a second to reflect.  She had so much pain in her singing.  Demi can’t believe how amazing that audition was.  Demi knew Jillian had been a lot from when she was talking, but when she sang she broke Demi’s heart.  Singing on stage while crying is so brave.  Simon-easiest yes of the day; Demi-can’t wait for the bullies to see her now, yes; Britney-yes yes yes; LA-hopes her tears of pain turn to tears of joy.  Family runs out and is jumping all over her.  Phew!  Emotions are CRAZY!  Standing O!  The whole family is crying, Demi is crying, and Jillian is squealing happiness.  Simon felt for her.  Demi said she had the same story and same tattoos.  Jillian is ready to push it all behind her and be happy.  Simon says he has never lost it that way.  He’s a bright pink (this means he is human!).  Demi calls him out on tearing up, and Simon admitted to barely tearing up.  He does have a heart!  WHAT AN AUDITION. WOW.

X Factor Super Tease

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American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, X Factor, and Dancing With The Stars fan! Check out a review I wrote for the site at https://www.mjsbigblog.com/american-idols-live-wilkes-barre-pa-recap.htm