Says Who Live

X Factor Talks Auto Tune Controversy

X Factor execs have admitted to using auto tune to improve the contestant’s voices in post-production. A spokesperson for the reality TV competition says “The judges make their decisions at the auditions stage based on what they hear on the day, live in the arena. The footage and sound is then edited and dubbed into a finished program, to deliver the most entertaining experience possible for viewers. When it gets to the live shows, it will be all live.” I’m not too big on that. It’s fooling the audience into thinking that the aspiring singers are amazing when they’re actually only just subpar.

Cheryl Cole Collapses

X Factor’s Cheryl Cole has reportedly bowed out of filming after she allegedly collapsed at a photo shoot last weekend. Sources say that the Girls Aloud singer was insistent on completing some promotional work despite not feeling well. In the middle of the shoot in North London, Cheryl fainted. Insiders say that she has been diagnosed with exhaustion and possibly gastroenteritis. Due to this, she will not return to the filming of the X Factor auditions. Her PR team released a statement saying “Following doctors’ advice Cheryl Cole will be cancelling all work commitments for the next week.” They didn’t give any further comment or update on the singer’s condition.

Dannii Minogue Signs with X Factor

The pregnant Dannii Minogue has just signed a $650,000 deal to return to X Factor for two months after she gives birth in July. The beloved reality TV talent show judge will appear in the “judges houses” segment in September along with fellow judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh and then return for the live shows in London. Dannii still plans on taking some time off though saying “After baby’s born, I’ll absolutely switch off. You have to. I just want to have the baby, shut the door, and take some time off work. That’s it.” While Dannii’s taking care of the baby during the auditions round, Mel B and two other celebrities will take her place.

Simon Cowell looking for celebrity couples to be X Factor judges

Simon Cowell is reportedly considering celebrity couples as judges for the new US version of The X Factor.

The music mogul, 50, is looking for judges for the panel on the new US version of the show, which will launch next year.

Jennifer Lopez and husband Marc Anthony are said to be contenders as well as Mariah Carey and her hubby Nick Cannon.

A source said to UK newspaper Daily Mirror: “Simon needs diversity on the panel if the US X Factor is going to be a big smash. Paula Abdul seems like a given, which leaves three slots.

“He thinks J.Lo or her hubby would be fantastic additions, so it could be bad news for Cheryl [Cole].”

Source: Splash News

Annie Lennox VS Simon Cowell

Annie Lennox has come forward to criticize Simon Cowell’s TV talent shows such as American Idol and The X Factor. The iconic singer said “I think those types of shows are dangerous and cruel – they’ll have a long-lasting effect on how people look at music. I understand their appeal, but there’s no chance I’d ever be a judge. You have a panel of people basically giving you the thumbs up or down, and there’s so much more to music than that.” I think she’s being over dramatic. It’s called show business. The shows are about finding new talent and making music for the masses that vote for who appeals to them the most. It’s basically like a survey of what people would buy and wouldn’t.

Louis Walsh could steal judging role on US version of X-Factor from Cheryl Cole

X-Factor judge Louis Walsh could steal a judging role on the US version from Cheryl Cole.

The Irish star reportedly impressed bosses during a test screening for the show, which Simon Cowell is launching next year, and executives believe he could connect well with the US audience because of the Irish/American links.

Cole, 26, was rumoured to be destined for a role on the judging panel, but reports say her strong Geordie accent could hinder her chances.

A source said to UK newspaper Daily Mirror: “Everyone presumes Cheryl will get offered the job because she looks the part.

“She’s gorgeous and extremely camera-friendly and now has the working relationship with Will.I.Am, which will help her break through in the States.

“But during test screenings, they did struggle with her strong Geordie accent.”

However, Walsh was reportedly a hit over in the States.

A source added: “They absolutely loved him. Anything Irish they adore and they think he is a right character. It might surprise a few people in Britain that they would consider Louis over Cheryl, but there is a huge Irish community.”

Source: Splash News

Danii Minogue getting back on The X Factor

It seems that the singer is going to be returning as a judge on The X Factor. Danii Minogue apparently talked it out with the producers and with Simon Cowell too probably and they managed to persuade her to go back to being a judge on the show. Just so you can see how far a little charisma and a 700,000 pound contract can go. That’s right… that’s how much Danii Minogue is getting for judging the contest. Is her baby going to have a good head-start or what? Oh well, it’s all in the best interests of the child anyway, after all, in these economically challenged times a nest-egg is pretty hard to come by.

Cheryl Cole on US X Factor

Simon Cowell reportedly wants Cheryl Cole to be a judge on the US version of the X Factor, saying “I’d love to have Cheryl on the show. We have great chemistry. Cheryl’s a natural star. People can’t help but warm to her.” And wouldn’t you know it? The Girls Aloud singer is accepting the offer. An insider reveals “Simon thinks America will fall in love with Cheryl, just like Britain has. She has a unique talent for winning everybody over. She gets involved emotionally with her acts, whereas the other judges don’t. She is incredibly passionate, genuine and caring and he knows he needs a judge like that on the line-up. Simon also loves that Cheryl isn’t afraid to stand up to him on the show. He knows their banter will be a massive hit with American audiences. Not only does he want her on American X Factor but he wants her to be sat on the much sought-after seat directly next to him.”

Simon Cowell becomes first UK billion dollar TV earner

Simon Cowell has just become Britain’s first billion dollar television earner.

Cowell signed a mega-entertainment deal with Sony to take the hit show The X Factor on the road to Las Vegas.

Cowell, who quit American Idol for the X Factor deal, said: “I have had a fantastic relationship with Sony for many years and I’m delighted we are launching this venture together.”

The top-earning television star in the US is now on track to make £500million ($816million) in the next two years on the back of the sale of The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent formats, the UK Mirror reports.

Cowell, 50, and The X Factor have churned out such real-flesh sensations as Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke and Susan Boyle.

Boyle, aka SuBo, has achieved the astonishing feat of making the fastest-selling album in history.

Cowell will also sign an ITV deal worth a further £10million in the next 10 days.

Ged Doherty, the chief of Sony in the UK, said Cowell was an “inspiring and stimulating business partner”.

Robbie Williams to Join X Factor

If all the rumors are true, the upcoming season of X Factor is shaping up to be amazing. Simon Cowell is reportedly bringing in Robbie Williams on to be the 5th judge at the panel – just one of a slew of demands that the Brit has laid on ITV. The other requests includes upping the number of finalists from 12 to 16, extending the series by a month, moving the live shows to London’s Wembley Arena and replacing Dannii Minogue with a new female judge. As far as bringing the former Take That singer as the 5th judge, Simon said that Robbie’s “fun, he’s got good instincts, he doesn’t take himself too seriously and he’s a fun guy to be around.”

Lady GaGa’s “X Factor” requests

It’s such a pity the success got into Lady GaGa’s head so quickly. The artist apparently had a few very extravagant requests for her performance on “The X Factor”: she wanted butterflies and lambs on the stage. This what a source said about Lady GaGa’s requests: “Simon wanted her on the show because he knows she will put 110 per cent into the performance. She is always way out there with her costumes and dance routines. But not even he was prepared for what she had in mind. He thought the animals request was a joke but then realized it was Lady Gaga. Simon is an animal lover and wasn’t against having the lambs running around, but he said no because of health and safety.” Well, well… who does Lady GaGa’s behavior reminisce of? Remember the kitty request from the Diva? Dark path is Lady GaGa heading down on.

Simon Cowell picks Miley Cyrus single as the X Factor winner’s track

Simon Cowell has reportedly picked Miley Cyrus’s single The Climb as the X Factor winner’s track.

The 50-year-old judge and mentor is said to have gone for the Disney star’s song as he is aiming the single at the teenage market.

It is claimed that he is sure Joe McElderry, 18, will win the show.

According to UK newspaper The Sun, he said to friends: “I think Joe will win. More women and girls will vote for him than anyone else.”

All four of the final contestants on the show – Olly Murs, Danyl Johnson, Stacey Solomon and Joe – have all performed their own version of the hit single at rehearsals.

UK prime minister voices some popular sentiment for X Factor twins

The British prime minister did not mince words when he said The X Factor twin contestants were not very good.

Gordon Brown pronounced his judgement on John and Edward Grimes, aka Jedward, a double act that is making its way past the trials of the highly rated UK reality talent show.

Mr Brown, a self-avowed X Factor fan, told Manchester radio station Key 103 that he did not rate the twins but that some of the other contestants were “really good”.

When he took questions from an audience of young people from Manchester, Mr Brown admitted: “I don’t think they’re very good.”

He added: “There are some really good people on X Factor. It’s really good. And I know it’s competing with Strictly Come Dancing.”

Teen actress Brooke Vincent (pictured) of Coronation Street joked: “You’re like, quite high up there. You’re like a top dog, aren’t you? So you could like ring in, and say ‘we don’t want ‘em’.”

Mr Brown then asked the audience: “Does anyone want John and Edward to win X Factor?”

Two said yes.

X Factor Champ Releases Video

UK’s The X Factor winner Alexandra Burke recently released a brand new video for her song ‘Bad Boys’ featuring rapper Flo Rida. The song is the lead single from the singer’s upcoming debut album ‘Overcome’, which is scheduled to come out on October 12. The video was directed by Bryan Barber, who also did Kelly Clarkson’s ‘I Do Not Hook Up’ and Outkast’s ‘Hey Ya’. Personally, I haven’t watched Alexandra’s video yet. But considering that the company she’s keeping have good things going for them, I’m going to trust my gut and say that I think it’s a good video regardless if I haven’t watched it yet. You be the judge.
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TV celebs not worth their salaries UK poll

Big name TV stars Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan are not worth the money they are paid, according to more than nine in 10 people polled in the UK.

Eighty percent of 2000 people polled think that television’s bright lights need their salaries slashed.

Nine percent of those polled thought Cowell, of Britain’s Got Talent and X Factor, and Big Brother judge Davina McCall, deserved their salaries. That figure dropped to a mere six percent in the case of Piers Morgan, also of BGT.

The BBC, meanwhile, has drawn criticism for refusing to release details of the individual salaries it pays to talent. The poll found 82 percent believe the pay of the BBC’s stars should be made public, with 76 percent believing a cap should apply to what the public corporation pays celebs.

A BBC spokesperson said: “We remain sensitive to the public’s view that we should not pay more than is necessary and we are committed to even greater transparency and accountability to Licence Fee payers. We have already begun to reduce the amount we pay top stars and in future we will disclose the total amount we spend on talent each year while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.”

Source: Splash News