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The X Factor is a popular singing talent TV show which first aired
in September 2004 in the UK and was the brainchild of renowned music
mogul and former Pop Idol and American Idol judge, Simon Cowell.
Today, there are many different versions of the X Factor in
countries around the world, including Argentina, Australia, China,
Denmark, Iceland, Russia the United States and many more.
The way the X Factor works is that through a series of auditions
held across a nation, aspiring singers must audition in front of
four judges and in some cases a live audience to progress. If a
contestant receives three or four yes's from the judges, they
progress to the next round, but if they receive two yes's or less
(in other words two or more no's) they are sent packing. It is the
job of the judges to determine if the contestants are talented
enough to move on, and, indeed, if they possess the magical 'X
Factor.'
Auditions are open to various categories of singers including
Groups, 16-24s, Over 25s, Girls, Boys and others. Each week millions
of TV viewers tune in to watch the contestants being put through
their paces, and then vote for their favourites to keep them on the
show. Contestants with the lowest number of votes must leave the X
Factor, and this process of elimination continues until only one
individual or group is left standing. The winner is named the X
Factor champion for that season, and receives a lucrative recording
contract.
X Factor UK
Since its launch in 2004, the X Factor UK has become one of the most
highly watched shows in the nation. It is broadcast on ITV1 in
England and Wales, STV in Scotland, TV3 in Ireland and UTV in
Northern Ireland. Simon Cowell originally came up with the X Factor
to replace Pop Idol, which only ran for two seasons, and on which he
was a judge.
In the very first X Factor, Cowell was joined on the judging panel
by fellow music managers and promoters Sharon Osbourne and Louis
Walsh. That year Steve Brookstein, an English jazz and soul singer,
won the competition. After him, Shayne Ward, Leona Lewis, Leon
Jackson, Alexandra Burke, Joe McElderry and Matt Cardle each proved
to have the X Factor. Over the seasons, the judging panel has
changed many times, and in 2011 Simon Cowell left the show to launch
X Factor USA.
X Factor USA
X Factor USA kicked off on September 21, 2011 on a quest to find
America's next singing sensation. The winner of the X Factor USA
will walk away with a record prize and recording contract worth $5
million. Joining Cowell in the judging panel are singer and former
American Idol judge Paula Abdul, music mogul L.A. Reid and singer
Nicole Scherzinger.
The US version of the show works in pretty much the same way as its
UK counterpart, and is open to individuals and groups with no upper
age limit. The categories are girls 12-30, boys 12-30,
individuals over 30, and groups, and each of the judges has been
assigned one of these groups to mentor. The winner of X Factor USA
will receive a $4 million recording contract with Epic Records
and $1 million cash prize.
