The biggest tidbit to come out of Simon Cowell’s X Factor conference call with reporters today was the news that The Black Eyed Peas singer, Fergie is in the mix for the X Factor panel
“All I can tell you is that her name was put forward, ” Simon said “But like a lot of other people we’ve spoken to, we have to check out everybody’s availability. There’s a lot of time you have to put into the show, because it’s not a ‘two-day-a-week’ with this. When you’re in the live show, it’s because you’re mentoring the contestant. You’re working five or six days a week.”
I doubt that Fergie is a serious contender, but it makes for a nice headline.
“We are still having nightly arguments, trying to get everyone to agree, ” Simon says of the never-ending decision to cast the judges’ panel. “If you ask everyone, you have 25 different opinions.” He admitted the process shows “publicly complete and utter indecisiveness.” Simon had hoped to have everyone in place by the start of the show’s auditions on March 27.
The real reason for the call was to announce the launch of recording studios across America that will allow hopefuls to audition without attending one of the open cattle calls. Auditioners can videotape an a cappella performance and explain why they should win X Factor.
“I don’t think it’s probably as fun as attending an open audition, ” says Simon, “But it is your chance to be seen and heard, and that’s why we’ve done this. I’m going to try and put these in as many cities as possible prior to our filming.”
Simon says the X Factor auditions so far are going “great” and the turnout “much higher” than anticipated.
Cowell hopes X Factor will produce audition moments that go viral.
“You want a moment where something magical happens in the audition room, and then outside of people watching the show, they’re interested in the clip, and I’m always very, very aware of that, ” he said.
“You look at what happened to Rebecca (Black) She’s gonna be laughing all the way to the bank. This would never have happened 10 years ago. Now she’s known all over the world.”
X Factor MyStudio audition booths will open at the following dates/locations, according to a press release:
April 8 – Honolulu, HI @ Pearlridge Center Uptown
April 8 – Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Mills
April 9 – Nashville, TN @ Coolsprings Galleria
April 12 – Anchorage, AK @ Dimond Center
April 15 – Kansas City, KS @ Oak Park Mall
April 16 – Denver, CO @ Colorado Mills
