Simon Cowell is going BIG for his X Factor UK judges houses this season. Usually, the judges invite one or two celebrities to help whittle the team down to 3 or 4 contestants, which then compete in the live shows. This year, the former American Idol judge and mogul is filling his Los Angeles home with 50 guests, according to the Mirror.
The artists and celebrities Simon chose to take advice from include his fellow American Idol judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul, Idol host Ryan Seacrest, American Idol alum and X Factor Australia judge Adam Lambert, Simon’s girlfriend Lauren Silverman, and ex girlfriends Sinitta and Terri Seymour. Simon’s 3 year old son Eric is also making an appearance.
Simon will be mentoring the Girls category, while Louis Tomlinson handles the boys, Robbie Williams coaches the Groups and his wife Ayda Williams oversees the Overs. This season, the overs are age 30+.
In the Judges Houses round, the judges travel to various locations around the world where they mentor, rehearse and finally pick three contestants who will compete in the live shows. The round comes after the dramatic six chair challenge, which whittles the field down to a Top 24.
According to Simon, the “guests,” which also includes former X Factor winner Leona Lewis and Babyface, were divided into tables. Simon “listened to views from each table.” A source told the Mirror: “Simon really had people who know what the X Factor is in a singer.” Additionally, one of the singers failed to get a work visa and appeared in the house via TV.
The episode airs in October. X Factor UK premiered on September 1. The fifth episode of Auditions, which were taped at Wembley stadium in front of a live audience, airs today (September 16) at 8 pm GMT/3 pm EDT on ITV.
If you love spoilers, check out this link to learn which acts competed in the Six Chair Challenge.
