Getting Personal
with the X Factor Judges to hold the stage alongside a global star and she really does - she is a great singer.
Do we have more surprises to come with the live shows? There will be a few twists and turns I’m sure, yes.
• LOUIS WALSH • Are you happy with the show changes this year? I’m really pleased with all the changes this year on the show. Everything is so much bigger and with the new live audience during the auditions it really feels more exciting and creates a great atmosphere.
Have you been pleased with JLS’s progression since last year’s show ended? I’m so pleased and proud of JLS. They worked so hard
on the show last year and have worked extra hard since it finished, as a group they deserve every success.
Are you pleased everyone is back on the Judging panel? It’s great that everyone is back this year. It works and you get four opinions!
In your view, what is The X Factor? It’s really hard to define or find –I think it’s someone with talent, likeability, good work ethic, personality and charm. Its somebody that’s got everything!!!!
• DANNI MINOGUE • What kind of judge are you? I’d say I am a fair judge. I’m not afraid to say what I don’t like and will fight for someone I believe in. I love to spot talent and my favourite part is the live shows where I can work with the contestants to give them the chance to “live their dream”.
Which city came up with the most talented singers this year? London, by a mile.
Are you pleased everyone is all back for series 6? I am loving it. There is a great vibe on set, with lots of hysterical laughing and even Louis and I have made up! I am hooked. Its not about being perfect, just being
fabulously unique.
Who on the Judging panel do you find you mostly agree with? This year I feel we have all had our own strong opinion and we have each pleaded for another judge to say a ‘yes’ so we can get someone through that we believe in. Hopefully this way, no talent has been left behind.
In your view, what is The X Factor? Its something you can’t describe or bottle, but you know when you see or hear it.
• CHERYL COLE • What kind of judge are you? I think I’m at a slight advantage to the other judges as I’ve been in the process before so maybe I can be more considerate at times. I understand how the contestants are feeling, especially when they’re singing in front of us and this year in front of an audience of 2,000!
What do you enjoy most about the audition stages? I really enjoyed the auditions but this year the whole process has been different. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the changes at first. The new look auditions benefit not only the acts but also us, as the audience let us know if they think differently to us about an act and sometimes we change our mind. It’s great for us as judges because we get to see how an act can handle performing on stage to a crowd earlier in the competition process and they get this fantastic opportunity to perform on stage. It’s so much more exciting, people really have the chance to shine and show us earlier what they’re made of.
Do you feel that the fact you were once a contestant on a similar show helps you to judge auditions with a clearer understanding of how they’re feeling? I feel this year I’m more experienced as a judge and in saying no. I struggled at first last year in saying no to people, I think I may have been giving false hope. This year, I’ve learned more, I’m more able to say no to people that don’t have what we’re looking for and I don’t feel as bad.
Who on the Judging panel do you find you mostly agree with? I hate to say this but I tend to agree with Simon but at the same time, I’m more than happy to disagree with him!
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