[dramatic music]
>> everybody is trying to get in
There...
>> the big day is finally here.
>> thousands of people are here
Today, all here trying out for
The x factor.
>> the largest prize in music
History...
>> we have seen l ages, from
12 to...Up to 88.
>> also in the news, simon
Cowell's new show x factor is
Off to a good start.
He is confident that this whole
Show will yield a superstar.
[crowd cheering]
>> shut it and start singing.
>> you have a gift that is not
To be wasted.
>> you have to come here
Prepared to win it.
>> you get that this is a
$5 million prize.
>> you had me before you even
Sang.
>> this feels good!
>> ♪sing it the boys ♪
♪sing it for the girls ♪
♪every time that you lose it ♪
♪sing it for the world ♪
>> I've done this a long, long
Time.
That was one of the best
Auditions I have ever heard in
My life.
[crowd cheering]
>> ♪sing it for the deaf ♪
♪sing it for the blind ♪
♪sing about everyone ♪
♪that you left behind ♪
>> do you really want a singing
Career?
>> I'm gonna have to say no.
>> I don't need to sound like
Anybody else!
I sound like me!
I don't know who else I oughta
Talk to!
>> [sobbing]
>> why are they doing this to
Us?
>> ♪sing it for the world ♪
♪yeah, you got to see ♪
♪what tomorrow brings ♪
>> it's ridiculous!
>> I don't ever lie!
>> ♪sing it for the world ♪
>> I'm telling you now, if it
Carries on like this, I'm
[bleep] hating this.
What is going on?
This is total, utter [bleep].
It's just not working.
[upbeat techno music]
♪♪
>> america, this is it...
The search for an act worthy of
A $5 million recording contract
Is on.
Welcome to the x factor.
>> ♪I'm on the edge ♪/i>
>> yes, the hunt for the next
Big thing in music starts here.
And the auditions begin in the
City where people from all over
The world come to make their
Dreams come true...
The home of the stars--
Los angeles.
[crowd cheering]
And a record-breaking 20,000
People have turned up, making it
The biggest audition turnout the
City has ever seen.
>> what a sea of humanity
Showing up here to try out for
Simon cowell's new show the x
Factor.
>> we can hardly believe it.
>> it's so exciting.
[crowd chanting]
>> keep going.
Don't stop, folks.
>> I need everybody focused.
We have thousands of people.
Ready to go, guys.
>> the competition is open to
Singers age 12 and upwards,
Whether they are soloists or
Groups.
>> and they all have the same
Dream...
>> our dream is to perform at
The grammys.
>> you know how people go back
And look at elvis?
I want people to go back and
Look at me like that.
>> we wanna be bigger than
The jackson 5.
>> ♪I'm on the edge ♪/i>
♪of glory ♪/i>
>> and they're all competing for
A record-breaking prize.
It's the biggest prize in
Television history--
A recording contract with sony
That guarantees the winner
$5 million.
>> ♪I'm on the edge ♪/i>
>> not only can I help out my
Family and friends, but I can
Buy myself stuff.
>> it's like what everyone
Dreams about.
This is like the most surreal
Prize in the world.
>> we take the $5 million and go
Base jumping off the empire
State building.
[record scratch]
Swag!
>> ♪I'm on the edge with you ♪/i>
>> but there are four people
Standing between them and that
Amazing prize...
The x factor judges.
Heading up the x factor judging
Panel, he's back.
It's simon cowell.
As a record executive for sony,
He's responsible for 300 million
Record sales, and he's renowned
As the most successful talent
Scout on the planet.
>> I walked away from the number
One show in america to launch a
Brand-new show.
The whole thing's a gamble.
But that's what makes it
Exciting.
>> joining simon cowell is
Grammy award winning songwriter,
Producer, and record executive,
L.A. Reid...
The man responsible for the
Careers of mariah carey, pink,
Rihanna, usher, and justin
Bieber.
>> I was the chairman of island
Def jam.
I had to walk away.
I walked away from friends.
I walked away from a lot of
Money.
I made a decision to take a shot
At discovering the next
Generation of stars.
>> joining the los angeles
Auditions, uk pop star
Cheryl cole.
She's a member of british
Supergroup girls aloud, a solo
Artist in her own right, and has
Sold over 10 million records in
A career spanning a decade.
>> coming to find a star in
America, for me, is one of the
Most exciting things ever.
Most of the biggest superstars
In the world come from america.
So the chances are we're gonna
Find somebody amazing.
>> and finally, it's the return
Of choreographer and performer
Paula abdul.
Having had a string of hits and
Worked with the biggest stars in
The world, she's no stranger to
Judging talent.
>> I can't wait to get started.
I can't wait for all the amazing
Surprises we're about to
Encounter...
And I'm looking forward to
Sitting next to my partner in
Crime.
He's a handful.
But so am I.
>> later in the competition,
The contestants will be split
Into four categories, and the
Judges will go into battle,
Mentoring one category each.
Then they'll choose which
Contestants to take to the live
Shows to face your vote ahead of
The season finale just before
Christmas.
But for now, they're working
Together to find a star.
But it's not just the judges
That the contestants have to
Audition for.
Because these auditions take
Place in arenas in front of
An audience of thousands.
[crowd cheering, music playing]
So the audience are in place and
The judges arrive for the first
Day of auditions.
[background noise]
>> please welcome...
The judges, l.A. Reid...
Cheryl cole...
Paula abdul...
And simon cowell.
>> uh, paula needs a cushion.
Paula, stand up.
>> how embarrassing.
>> that's too high.
That is too high.
>> and first up, hoping to get
At least the three yeses needed
To get to the next round of boot
Camp is 13-year-old rachel crow.
>> who's auditioning today?
>> me.
>> what's your name?
>> rachel crow.
I'm rachel crow.
I'm 13 years old, and I'm in
Eighth grade.
>> you're gonna step off to the
Holding room on the left.
>> okay.
>> I really wanna be a singer.
I know that's like a big dream,
But you know...[laughs]
I sing all the time.
Just all the time, everywhere I
Go.
My sister says it's 'cause I'm,
You know, crazy.
But I don't think I'm crazy.
I think I just love singing,
So...
>> rachel, follow me backstage.
>> ♪tonight, tonight ♪
>> oh, my god!
I'm nervous!
I'm just so excited.
Ah!
>> my family is supportive.
Thanks, mom.
>> doesn't matter.
>> rachel, I need you up here.
You're first up.
>> mom...
>> all right, you guys stand
To the side.
>> this audition is the most
Important thing I've ever done
In my life.
Hi!
>> what is your name, lovely
One?
>> my name is rachel crow.
>> are you excited to be here?
>> yes, very.
I'm like so excited.
I can't even--[laughs]
>> you two are not related in
Any way?
[laughter]
Possible.
Well, it's you!
>> oh, my gosh.
>> and rachel, important
Question for someone your age.
What would you do with the
$5 million?
>> okay, so you guys might think
This is crazy, but my family
Has, like, no money.
[laughter]
And...Let me tell you.
We live in a two-bedroom house,
Okay, and I have six people in
My family.
So...See, I have my grandma, my
Grandpa, my sister, my dad, my
Mom, and me.
Which is a lot of people.
>> yeah.
>> and I'm a girl.
I need my own bathroom!
[cheers and applause]
>> I totally get it.
We get that!
>> I hear you.
>> okay, well, listen, best of
Luck.
What are you gonna sing,
Sweetheart?
>> I'm gonna sing mercy by
Duffy.
>> best of luck.
[mercy begins]
♪♪
>> ♪now, I love you ♪
♪but I gotta stay true ♪
♪my morals got me on my knees ♪
♪I'm beggin', please ♪
♪stop playin' games ♪
♪I don't know what you do ♪
♪but you do it well ♪
♪I'm under your spell ♪
♪you got me begging you ♪
♪for mercy ♪
♪why won't you release me? ♪
♪you got me begging you ♪
♪for mercy ♪
♪why won't you release me? ♪
♪I said release ♪
♪me ♪
♪I'm begging you for mercy ♪
♪hey, now ♪
♪why won't you release me? ♪
♪I'm begging you for mercy ♪
♪you got me beggin' ♪
♪mercy ♪
[crowd cheering]
♪why won't you release me? ♪
♪you got me beggin' you ♪
♪for mercy ♪
♪why won't you release me? ♪
♪I said release ♪
♪me ♪
[cheers and applause]
>> rachel, I want you to know
Something.
What you just did is exactly
What we need people to do on
This stage.
You delivered the goods on every
Level.
You delivered with personality.
And then you opened up your
Mouth to sing and blew us away.
>> really?
>> all of it together.
Cheryl, what do you think about
This?
>> you had me before you even
Sang.
And then when you sang, I was
Like...Oh, my god, we found
Ourselves a little star.
>> oh!
>> you have everything that
Every artist I've ever seen has.
Spunky, funky, fly, feisty,
Sassy, soulful--you got it all,
Baby.
I love it, I love it.
>> oh, thank you!
>> simon.
>> uh, you know, rachel, we
Spent a long time deliberating
How low we took the age on this
Competition.
You are the reason why we were
Right taking this age down.
[cheers and applause]
Remember these two words, rachel
Crow, because I think we're
Gonna be hearing a lot about
You.
>> thank you!
[cheers and applause]
>> l.A., yes or no?
>> a hands-down absolute yes!
>> thank you!
>> absolutely yes for me.
>> paula?
>> I'm gonna say yes.
>> thank you!
>> rachel...
[applause dies down]
Get ready for a new bathroom.
It's four yeses.
>> thank you!
I won't let you down!
>> ♪there's not a thing ♪
♪that I would change ♪
>> thank you!
Thank you!
>> [laughing]
Oh, no.
>> don't cry.
We're supposed to be happy!
>> ♪'cause girl ♪
♪you're amazing ♪
♪just the way you are ♪
[serene piano music]
♪♪
>> mom, did you see that?
Did you see that?
Oh!
>> welcome back to the x factor
Where auditions are in full
Swing here in los angeles.
Contestants face record
Executive l.A. Reid,
Pop star cheryl cole,
And yes, simon cowell and paula
Abdul are back together.
>> you're not being very nice to
Me.
>> I am too.
I lov-l-l-lov-o-o-o-ve--
[laughter]
Oooove...
>> do you miss me?
>> ha ha. Do I ever.
>> so now the auditions
Continue.
>> ♪I need somebody to love ♪/i>
♪I don't need too much ♪/i>
♪just somebody to love ♪/i>
>> how you doing?
>> talk to me.
What's your name?
>> my name's terrell carter.
>> all right, terrell.
And where are you from?
>> from buffalo, new york,
Originally, but I live in los
Angeles.
>> what brought you to los
Angeles?
>> music, singing.
>> you're really committed to
This?
>> oh, this is my passion.
This is it.
>> the stage is yours.
Good luck to you.
>> ♪please ♪/i>
♪may I once again ♪/i>
♪so that you ♪/i>
♪too will understand ♪/i>
♪there's a ribbon in the sky ♪/i>
♪for our love ♪/i>
>> you've got the package.
[laughter, cheering]
I'm gonna say yes.
>> I'm gonna give you a yes.
>> yes.
>> I'm gonna say yes.
>> ♪I need somebody to love ♪/i>
♪I, I don't need too much ♪/i>
>> hello. Your name?
>> my name's ellona.
>> how old are you, ellona?
>> I'm 14 years old.
>> you're 14.
Good luck to you.
>> ♪don't you know ♪/i>
♪you're beautiful ♪/i>
>> for 14 years old, I was
Really impressed.
Yes.
>> absolutely. Yes.
>> it's a yes.
>> you've got four yeses.
[cheers and applause]
>> ♪I don't need too much ♪/i>
♪just somebody to love ♪/i>
>> what's your name?
>> my name's john lindahl.
>> what experience have you had?
>> school productions and stuff
Like that.
>> all right, john, best of
Luck.
>> ♪I see you drivin' ♪/i>
♪round town ♪/i>
♪with the girl I love ♪/i>
♪and I'm like, forget you ♪/i>
♪I guess the change ♪/i>
♪in my pocket ♪/i>
♪wasn't enough ♪/i>
♪I'm like, forget you ♪/i>
♪and forget her too ♪/i>
>> I like you very much.
>> you have great energy.
>> how hard are you prepared to
Work?
>> hard as you can ever imagine.
>> gonna give u a yes.
>> it's a yes.
>> yes.
>> you've got three yeses.
For what it's worth, you've got
Four yeses.
>> thank you!
>> ♪I need somebody to love ♪/i>
♪I don't need too much ♪/i>
♪just somebody to love ♪/i>
>> so it's been a great start
To the los angeles auditions.
And next up is a person who's
Convinced he'll be keeping the
Run of success very much alive.
Meet 30-year-old siameze.
>> ♪I am the the one and only ♪/i>
>> my name is siameze.
I'm 30 years old, and I'm a
Singer.
Let me explain it to you.
I have the look.
I have the attitude.
Mic stand--I need a mic stand.
I have the talent.
♪ow ♪/i>
I'm like, yeah, let's do it.
Girls are like way easy to get
Like when you've been on stage.
Hey, there, how you doing?
Once I'm a megastar--not a
Superstar, a megastar--
I want a energy drink that's
Called simenergy.
Si-men-ergy.
>> ♪I am the one and only ♪/i>
♪nobody...♪/i>
>> how are you?
>> I'm good. How are you?
>> good, good.
What's your name?
>> siameze.
If you were to win, what would
You do with your $5 million?
>> I would invest it into my
Career, becoming the megastar
That I wanna be.
>> really? So you really--
You're committed.
You really believe that you have
What it takes?
>> oh, yes, sir.
This is my life.
>> good luck.
>> ♪I don't know ♪/i>
♪what you're doin' to me ♪/i>
♪baby ♪/i>
[give it to me, baby plays]
♪♪
♪when I came home last night ♪
♪wouldn't make love to me ♪
♪give it to me ♪
♪give it to me, baby ♪
♪give it to me ♪
♪just wanna make love ♪
>> ♪give it, give it ♪
♪give it ♪
♪give it, give it ♪
>> go! Go! Go! Go !
>> ♪give, give, give, give ♪
♪give, give, give, give, give ♪
>> I can't take much more.
>> ♪I'm about to bust it ♪
♪baby ♪
>> ♪give, give, give, give ♪
♪give, give, give, give ♪
>> ♪I'm about to bust it ♪
♪baby ♪
[music stops]
[cheers and applause]
>> thank you.
Well, cheryl.
>> it was one of those where I
Was like do I absolutely love
This and think it's genius, or
Is this kinda weird?
And I don't--
[laughter]
And I don't really know what the
Answer is.
>> simon, what do you think?
>> well, you're obviously a fan
Of prince.
>> yes, I am. I am.
>> most of it was very copycat.
Um...But there is something
Kind of fascinating about you.
>> paula, what do you think?
>> it is rare toave someone
Commit to taking a stage and--
And giving that kind of energy.
But it's not original enough.
>> okay, l.A., yes or no?
>> uh, I will have to say no
Based on originality.
[audience booing]
>> cheryl.
>> for everything you just did,
I would have to say yes.
[cheers and applause]
>> paula.
>> I'm willing to see what you
Have.
>> thank you.
>> and simon.
>> you are talented, but you are
Deluded.
[laughter]
Uh...But I'm gonna say yes.
[cheers and applause]
>> ♪I am the one and only ♪
>> thank you so much.
You won't regret it.
>> congratulations.
[cheers and applause]
[whooping, clapping]
>> I'm great.
I'm ecstatic, yeah.
If somebody compares me to
Prince--you know, my looks--
I can't help my looks.
I'm wearing the heels, so...
Of course.
What else do I expect?
>> he would be a total, utter
Nightmare.
>> and you can have him all
To yourself.
[both laugh]
>> welcome back to the x factor.
It's day two of the los angeles
Auditions, and hours before the
Judges are set to arrive...
[crowd noise]
Outside, thousands of hopeful
Singers are already lining up.
[ain't no mountain high enough]
And everyone here hopes to
Follow in the footsteps of the
World's biggest solo artists
And groups.
[wind howling]
[comical music plays]
And in pahrump, nevada, husband
And wife duo dan and venita are
Getting ready for their trek to
L.A., hoping they have whait
Takes to be the next supergroup.
>> I'm dan.
I'm 70 years young.
>> I'm venita.
And I'm 83.
>> we are dan...
>> and venita.
We met at the gunfighter's club.
>> we live in pahrump, nevada.
Our dream is we want to get
A $5 million recording contract.
It means a lot to both of us,
Feeling like we can be that
Winner.
>> yes.
[comical music continues]
♪♪/i>
>> ♪ain't no mountain ♪/i>
♪high enough ♪/i>
♪ain't no valley low enough ♪/i>
>> with dan and venita on the
Road, the judges arrive at the
Arena with high hopes for los
Angeles.
>> it's day two, and we're
Expecting lot of talent.
>> this is where people come to
Become famous.
>> ♪nothing can keep me ♪/i>
>> my pleasure.
>> also a pleasure.
Dan and venita.
We're a duet.
>> you're lining up behind
Casey, whose got the x up in the
Air.
>> oh!
>> ♪ain't no valley ♪/i>
♪low enough ♪/i>
♪ain't no river wide enough ♪/i>
♪to keep me from you ♪/i>
>> this audition means
Everything in our hearts
And we're not stopping.
We're gonna go all the way.
[cheering]
>> and there you go, guys.
[cheering]
>> is the mic on?
Hey, god bless each one out
There.
We're doing this for america
And you judges.
We're so proud to be here.
>> yes, we are.
>> she's 83 years young.
>> wow. And you.
How old are you, sir?
>> 7-0 and young.
>> are you a couple?
Are you married?
>> yes. Yes, we are.
>> we're married.
Going on two years, yeah.
>> you have a feisty life, I
See.
[laughter]
>> where would you see yourself
In five years' time?
>> five at a time?
>> no. Not five at a time, no.
[laughter]
Where--where would--
[laughter, chatter]
Where would you see
Yourselves...
>> in five years.
>> in five years' time.
What would you do with the
$5 million if you won?
>> well, we--
>> we will be in our travel
Home.
>> in our motor home.
We want to travel.
>> and we're going to play all
The places that has the most
Beautiful senior centers.
[laughter, applause]
>> right. What are you gonna
Sing?
>> unchained melody.
>> go for it.
>> music.
[unchained melody plays]
♪♪
>> I hope treats her well.
♪♪
>> [off-key] ♪whoa ♪
♪my love ♪
♪my darling ♪
♪I've hungered for ♪
♪your touch ♪
♪a long ♪
♪lonely time ♪
>> both off-key: ♪oh ♪
♪my love ♪
♪my darling ♪
♪I've hungered ♪
♪for your touch ♪
♪are you ♪
♪still mine? ♪
♪I need ♪
♪your love ♪
♪I need ♪
>> ♪I need ♪
>> ♪your love ♪
>> ♪god speed ♪
♪your love ♪
♪to me ♪
[shrill off-key note]
♪to me ♪
[cheers and applause]
>> you are gonna be remembered
For that version.
You know what's terrifying?
I can imagine me and paula being
You in ten years' time.
[laughter]
>> god bless you, simon!
>> so let's put this to a vote.
>> we're not gonna sing again?
>> no, no, no, we're good.
We heard--we're good.
I promise you.
Paula, would you vote first,
Please?
>> um...I think the two of you
Doing this together is
Fantastic.
You'll probably live longer than
All of us.
But it's no for the competition.
I'm sorry.
>> and cheryl.
>> I love what you said your
Reasoning were for coming on
Here, but I didn't love the
Audition as much as your reason.
No. Sorry.
>> and simon.
>> you are adorable.
You just didn't give up.
You were literally all over the
Place but....You stuck to it.
But best of luck, guys.
Thank you.
>> we didn't make it?
>> no, you didn't.
>> thank you.
>> bye-bye.
>> bye!
>> oh...
>> he's broken-hearted.
>> she didn't know what show she
Was on.
>> so it's a no for dan and
Venita.
>> I love you...So much.
>> and I love my husband very
Much too.
>> but across at the los angeles
Auditions, can these next
Contestants do any better?
>> and your names are?
>> we're called you only live
Once.
>> how old are you both?
>> I'm 15.
>> I'm 19.
>> okay.
>> good luck to you.
>> ♪I think it's really sad ♪
♪how we're singing ♪
♪the same song ♪
>> [screaming] ♪don't you see ♪
♪what this means ♪
♪to me ♪
[screaming/singing]
>> it was like...You were
Singing, and she swallowed
Poison.
[laughter]
>> absolutely not for me.
>> no. Thanks.
>> I have to say no.
>> thank you.
>> gonna have to get a hearing
Aid after...It's killing my
Ears.
>> paula?
>> I still can't hear you,
Simon...Thank god.
>> hi, darling.
What's your name?
>> uh, jetta.
That's my nickname.
>> why do people call you jetta?
>> my real name's linda, and
There's always a bunch of
Lindas.
>> good luck.
>> ♪I don't want ♪
♪anybody else ♪
♪when I think about you ♪
♪I touch myself ♪
♪I I I ♪
♪I don't want anyone else ♪
♪no oh oh oh ♪
>> you are a little tiger,
Aren't you, jea?
>> I can be.
[laughter]
>> I'm gonna have to pass.
>> oh, no, no--
>> not in a million years.
>> here comes the good one.
This is the good one.
>> so tell us your name.
>> my name is miranda.
I wanna be the next madonna.
>> best of luck.
>> [off-key] ♪just own ♪
♪the night ♪
♪like the fourth of July ♪
♪'cause, baby ♪
♪you're a firework ♪
♪come on, show 'em ♪
♪what you're worth ♪
>> it was like...You and I had
Fallen out and you were
Screaming at me.
I don't think you're a very good
Singer.
>> you're wrong.
I'm a great singer.
>> you have a really bad
Attitude.
>> excuse me?
>> simon.
>> it's a no.
>> no.
>> absolute no.
>> ♪baby, give it up ♪
♪give it up ♪
♪baby, give it up ♪
[ crowd cheering ]
>> welcome back to the x factor
And the los angeles auditions.
Everyone is competing for a
$5 million recording contract.
But that's not all the winning
Act will receive.
The winner of the x factor will
Star in their own pepsi
Commercial.
To air during next year's super
Bowl on nbc.
>> to have a commercial with
Pepsi is above and beyond any
Wild dream that any artist could
Have.
>> michael jackson, mariah
Carey, britney spears.
The greats have done this.
>> and the next singer
Determined to have her own pepsi
Commercial and at least three
Yesses from the judges...
[beyoncé's crazy in love ]
College student simone battle.
>> my name is simone battle.
I am 21 years old, I'm a full
Time student right there at usc.
But really, I just wanna sing.
>> ♪uh oh, uh oh, oh no no ♪
>> my dream is to be a pop icon.
I want to have millions of
Screaming fans who ask me to
Sign their baby.
I think I'm special, I think I'm
Different than the other
Contestants because I'm fierce.
[snaps fingers]
How you doin'?
I'm special.
>> whoo!
>> see? They love me!
Hap-happy, how you doin'?
>> ♪crazy right now ♪
♪your touch got me lookin' ♪
♪so crazy right now ♪
>> tyra banks is fierce, beyonce
Is fierce, britney is fierce.
Fierce is just exuding
Self-confidence and just, like,
Working it.
The confidence that the x factor
Winner needs to have.
Getting a $5 million record
Deal, it's just the next step to
My ultimate dream of becoming a
Pop icon.
>> so with her family waiting
Nervously backstage, it's time
For simone to audition.
[cheers and applause]
>> hi.
>> what is your name,
Sweetheart?
>> my name is simone battle.
>> how old are you, dear?
>> I'm 21 years old.
>> 21.
You are beautiful.
>> well, thank you.
>> where are you from?
>> I'm from los angeles.
>> fantastic.
[cheers and applause]
>> l.A.!
>> are you a real good singer?
>> I'm fierce.
>> you are fierce.
>> annoying.
Simone, what would you call your
First album?
>> "honey work."
>> "honey work"?
>> why?
>> well, I like to describe my
Sound as a threesome between a
Cheerleader, a hipster, and a
Drag queen.
>> what?
>> okay.
>> if you can imagine that.
>> what are you gonna sing,
Honey?
>> I'm gonna sing when I grow up
By the pussycat dolls.
>> go ahead, sweetheart, you're
On.
>> okay.
[pussycat dolls'
When I grow up ]
♪♪
♪they used to tell me ♪
♪I was silly ♪
♪until I popped up on the tv ♪
♪ha! ♪
♪I always wanted to be ♪
♪a superstar ♪
♪and knew that singing songs ♪
♪would get me this far ♪
♪when I grow up ♪
♪I wanna be famous ♪
♪I wanna be a star ♪
♪I wanna be in movies ♪
♪I wanna see the world ♪
♪drive nice cars ♪
♪I wanna have groovies ♪
♪I'll be on tv ♪
♪people know me ♪
[cheers and applause]
>> uh, okay, simone.
You interest me, simone.
What I like about you is that
You really are fearless.
I think that you are ambitious,
Which I love.
>> thank you.
>> uh, I think you're gonna work
Hard.
I think you'd be fun to watch as
A performer.
I really, really like you.
>> thank you, simon.
>> I enjoyed it.
>> thank you so much.
>> I think that you've got
Potential, once you found your
Own style.
>> massive potential.
>> you could be great.
>> completely.
>> thank you.
>> l.A.
>> I'm gonna completely
Disagree. I was underwhelmed.
>> no!
>> completely underwhelmed, I'm
Sorry.
>> oh, come on.
Why don't we just do something
Where we can hear your voice,
Simone.
[le roux's bulletproof ]
- ♪I've been there done that ♪
♪messed around ♪
♪I'm havin' fun ♪
♪don't put me down ♪
♪I never let you ♪
♪sweep me off my feet ♪
♪ha! ♪
♪I'm burning bridges ♪
♪shore to shore ♪
♪I break away ♪
♪from something more ♪
♪I'm not turned on to love ♪
♪until it's cheap ♪
♪yeah ♪
♪I said I've been there ♪
♪done that, messed around ♪
♪I'm havin' fun ♪
♪don't put me down ♪
♪I never let you ♪
♪sweep me off my feet ♪
[cheers and applause]
>> all right, so hang on.
Just to be clear here.
I wanna ask l.A. Again.
Do you still stand by what you
Said?
>> I'm sorry, I wasn't moved.
>> no.
>> the hair on my arm didn't
Raise, I didn't get excited,
I didn't wanna sing along.
I didn't wanna dance.
I'm sorry, I just didn't--
>> but l.A., l.A., I'm sorry.
But this show is not about
Necessarily to what decisions
She's made now, it's about what
You could do for somebody like
This.
And therefore I'm gonna disagree
With you.
This is exactly the sort of
Person I think you should be
Working with.
>> I can't be swayed, I just
Don't believe it.
>> cheryl?
>> yes.
>> thank you.
>> okay, it was always gonna
Be a yes.
So I'm gonna say it again.
Yes, I think you're terrific.
>> thank you so much.
>> I'm the tiebreaker.
You wanna know something?
You are fierce.
[cheers and applause]
And I think being able to be
Smart, witty, and current are
What's gonna set you apart.
I say yes.
[beyoncé's crazy in love]
♪got me looking ♪/i>
♪so crazy right now ♪/i>
>> thank you so much.
>> ♪your love's got me ♪/i>
♪looking so crazy right now ♪/i>
♪got me looking ♪/i>
♪so crazy right now ♪/i>
♪your touch got me looking ♪/i>
♪so crazy right now ♪/i>
>> with opinions split,
One thing becomes clear.
A new rivalry is forming.
>> please explain, what did you
Like about that?
>> l.A. Is for me the number one
Music executive in the world.
But I know what it takes to find
An artist and turn them into a
Star.
And not just in one country but
All over the world.
>> the ushers and the justin
Timberlakes, they give all of
Themselves.
You gave some of yourself.
It's a no.
>> I would have said yes,
Thomas.
>> for many, many years I've
Followed simon's career.
He's not the greatest record man
In the world, but he is the
Greatest talent magnet in the
World.
[laughs]
>> ♪what? ♪/i>
>> ♪the palm trees ♪/i>
>> ♪so where? ♪/i>
♪♪the palm trees ♪/i>
>> I thought it was a mess.
I'm gonna say no.
>> I don't know, simon,
I would have said yes.
>> when you've got someone like
That sitting alongside you,
This is gonna make it tougher
For me.
>> ♪see you drivin' round tow>
With the boy I love ♪/i>
>> you gotta dig deeper.
>> no, I'm gonna disagree with
L.A., I'm gonna say yes.
[cheers and applause]
>> ♪we could have had it all ♪/i>
>> the competition out there for
What you do is really, really
Stiff.
I believe you compete with them,
Yes.
>> there are a lot of people
Your age sounding better.
I'm gonna say no.
>> ♪the eye of the tiger ♪/i>
>> it's a no.
>> I absolutely love you.
>> I hated it.
>> it's like you've grown claws.
>> no.
>> why are we even deliberating?
[james brown's I feel good ]
>> ♪I feel good! ♪
>> no.
>> I would have said yes, but
It's good night.
>> [laughs]
>> I've definitely met my match.
[slurping through straws]
>> welcome back to the x factor
And the los angeles auditions.
[cheers and applause]
>> this audition, it sort of
Makes it or breaks it for me.
>> man, it would really change
My life.
It would really change my life.
>> I want to be able to go to
Australia and sing to a girl in
Australia and the next day be in
Spain and be able to just share
That with the world.
>> if I got a $5 million record
Deal, it would change
Everything, it would just change
My life.
>> hi.
>> welcome to the x factor.
>> thank you so much, hi.
>> what was the name?
>> I'm stacy francis, I'm 42
Years old and I'm a single mom
Of two.
I have a five month old and a
Three year old.
Let me hold that pacifier.
Thank you.
It's been very difficult to
Try to sing when you have two
Kids.
Are you sleepies?
My three-year-old is, like,
"no, mommy, no!"
>> no!
>> give me a kiss.
>> no!
>> give me a kiss.
>> [laughs]
>> can you kiss your mommy?
Late at night, my baby's
Sleeping, I go in the bathroom,
I close the doors and I sing to
Aretha franklin or whitney
Houston or celine dion.
In my late 20s into my early 30s
I met someone and things just
Went really wrong.
He kept telling me that I was
Too old or that I wasn't
Talented enough and I started
Believing it.
[crying] I'm sorry.
I started believing him.
And he would push me around...
Sometimes and I just lost faith
In myself.
I'm so scared, I'm--but I'm
Ready 'cause I also feel like as
A mom this is my last shot to
Make an impact and really grow
Forward for my kids.
My son needs to start school
Next year and I need to be able
To pay for that.
It's now, the time is now.
>> heh...
>> what's your name?
>> stacy francis, I'm 42 years
Old.
>> where are you from?
>> I'm from brooklyn, new york.
[cheers and applause]
>> so did you travel to los
Angeles for the audition today?
>> no, I've been living in los
Angeles for ten years.
>> why do you think this hasn't
Worked out?
Why haven't you had the break?
>> I just sorta got stuck.
I mean, I've been told I'm too
Old since I'm 30.
So I've been living for 12 years
Believing I'm too old.
I don't wanna die with this
Music in me, simon.
Um...
>> what's the song you've
Chosen?
>> I've chosen natural woman.
Aretha franklin.
>> you sure?
>> yes, sir.
>> okay.
All right, best of luck,
Sweetheart.
>> thank you.
[cheers and applause]
[aretha franklin's
Natural woman ]
♪looking out ♪
♪on the morning rain ♪
♪I used to feel so uninspired ♪
[cheers and applause]
♪and when I knew ♪
♪I had to face another day ♪
♪lord, it made me feel ♪
♪so tired ♪
♪before the day I met you ♪
♪my life was so unkind ♪
♪but you're the key ♪
♪to my piece of mind ♪
♪'cause you make me feel ♪
♪yeah ♪
♪you make me feel ♪
♪like a natural woman ♪
♪whoa, baby ♪
♪what you've done to me ♪
♪you make me feel ♪
♪so good inside ♪
♪and I just wanna be ♪
♪close to you ♪
♪you make me feel alive ♪
[cheers and applause]
♪feel like a natural woman ♪
♪whoa, yeah ♪
[cheers and applause]
♪feel like a natural woman ♪
♪yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪
[cheers and applause]
Whoo!
[cheers and applause]
Thank you.
[crying] thank you.
>> l.A., what do you think?
>> everything that I do, uh,
Musically is all about having my
Spirit stirred and having the
Hair on my arm raised.
And you did both to me today.
You are so gifted, you got what
It takes.
[cheers and applause]
>> paula?
>> opportunities like this,
They come along once in a
Lifetime for someone as angelic
As you.
Hone to gosh, this is your
Time.
This is your time, baby.
God bless you.
>> I was completely and utterly
Blown away with every single
Word you sang and I could feel
The whole room was willing you
To win.
And you just won.
>> thank you.
>> let me tell you something,
Stacy, I've done this a long,
Long time.
That was one of the best
Auditions I have ever heard in
My life.
You did more than sing it,
You believed in it.
Loved it, loved it, loved it.
I love you.
>> thank you.
>> okay, we're gonna vote.
L.A., yes or no?
>> you know what? It gives me
Great, great pleasure to
Absolutely say to you, yes,
Sweethrt, yes.
>> paula?
>> absolutely.
Mwah.
>> [crying] thank you.
>> cheryl?
>> 100,000% yes.
>> [crying] thank you.
>> stacy francis, 4,304 yesses.
[leona lewis'
Footprints in the sand ]
♪I promise you ♪
♪I'm always there ♪
♪when your heart ♪
♪is filled with sadness ♪
♪and despair ♪
♪I'll carry you ♪
♪when you need a friend ♪
♪you'll find my footprints ♪
♪in the sand ♪
>> ♪I promise you ♪
♪I'm always there ♪
>> ♪when your heart ♪
♪is full of sadness ♪
♪and despair ♪
>> oh, my god, girl.
Oh, my god.
I didn't expect them to say all
Of that stuff.
[crying]
>> mama...
>> I just--I didn't know if he
Was gonna see it.
I didn't know if he was gonna
See it, girl.
>> ♪footprints in the sand ♪
>> welcome back to the x factor,
Where the hunt for an act worthy
Of a $5 milliorecording
Contract has moved to a new
City.
Yes, the auditions have moved
Uphe west coast to the rockin'
Grunge cit of the d,
Seattle.
>> ♪we built this city ♪/i>
>> x factor is in town today.
>> ♪we built this city ♪
♪on rock and roll ♪
♪built this city ♪
>> your chance to step up and
Show simon cowell what you got.
>> and thousands of people have
Arrived from far and wide, all
With the same hope.
>> my dream is to be a singer.
>> I want to sing d tour the
World.
>> can't see myself flippin'
Burgers for the rest of my life.
♪we built this city ♪
>> I think I have the "x" in the
Factor, baby.
Whoo!
I came to rock the house!
>> the competition is open to
Singers age 12 and upwards,
Whether they are soloists...
>> [singing solo] ya-ay, yeah.
>> ...Or groups...
[groups singing]
>> ...And there's a lot at
Stake, the biggest prize in
Television history, a recording
Contract worth $5 million.
With the audience of thousands
In their seats...
[cheers and applause]
>> ♪we built this city ♪
>> and the contestants ready for
Their moment in the spotlight,
It's time to meet the people who
Stand betwn them and their
Dreams, the x factor judges.
Record executive and
World-renowned talent scout,
Simon cowell,
Choreographer and performer,
Paula abdul,
And the man who helped shape the
Careers of pink, rihanna, mariah
Carey, usher, and justin bieber,
Record executive, l.A. Reid,
And with a new city comes a big
Change.
Yes, there's a pussycat in town.
Nicolecherzinger, who replaces
Cheryl as the new x factor
Judge.
She's the lead singer of one of
The biggest girl bands in the
World, and now a
Multi-platinum-selling artist in
Her own right.
>> I actually started on a show
Like this over a decade ago.
I went through the entire
Audition process.
I got there at 4 a.M. In the
Morning, I waited in line.
Is that the stage?
Oh, my gosh.
There's no room for
Cookie-cutter pop stars or
Singers on this show.
I'm excited to see the talent
That america has.
What's up, seattle?
[cheers d apause]
>> y can'tthere's nothin-
>> it's time for the seattle
Auditions to begin.
Rs is geo godley.
>> I believe havthe x
Factorbecause I sing, write,
Produce, a play.
I stted signing in elementar
School, and then I was
Clsicay trned on piano,
And progressed to synthesizer,
Progmming.
>> are y all right, you ready?
>> yeah, I'm ready, I'm ready.
>> okay, the judges are ready
For you, dyou want to follow
Me?
>> oh, mgod, it's hitting me
Now, but yeah, okay.
>> the very best of luck.
Enjoy yourself
There's the stage.
[cheers and applause]
[dramatic music]
♪♪/i>
>> to win this competition I'm
Willing to do whatever it takes.
>> hi.
>> how do you do?
>> wow.
What is your name?
Geo godley.
>> geo, I take it you love to
Sing.
>> yeah, yeah.
I'm classically trained, piano
And stuff, and then, uh, I
Started writing, uh, in my 20s.
>> all right, geo, what are you
Gonna sing?
>> a tune that I wrote, and, uh,
It's just a feel-good song.
>> all right, well, best of
Luck.
>> thank you.
>> ♪mr. Stud ♪/i>
[voice echs]
>> ♪I'm a stud with a thud ♪/i>
♪and I'm gonna pick you up ♪/i>
♪such a hu with the funk ♪/i>
♪too much just enough ♪/i>
♪rumors abound ♪/i>
♪how I get around ♪/i>
♪hit the town ♪/i>
♪I'm comin' over ♪/i>
♪I'm a stud, not a dud ♪/i>
♪I don't ask for much ♪/i>
♪we can do bill clinton stuff ♪/i>
♪live real, dude ♪/i>
♪let's get nude ♪/i>
♪don't be a prude ♪/i>
♪I'm comin' over, I'm a stud ♪/i>
♪♪/i>
>> [screams]
>> ♪I'm a stud ♪/i>
♪and I'm never stoppin' ♪/i>
♪I'm a stud, oh ♪/i>
♪I'm a stud ♪/i>
♪roll out the red carpet ♪/i>
♪I'm a stud ♪/i>
♪and'm never stoppin' ♪/i>
♪I'm a stu♪/i>
>> [screamin
>> oh, my god!
♪♪/i>
>> ♪the bum on the street ♪/i>
♪all the people that you meet ♪/i>
♪it's never too soon ♪/i>
♪to be a buffoon ♪/i>
>> [scaming] no!
>> ♪some are stuck up ♪/i>
♪others are not ♪/i>
♪it's potluck ♪/i>
♪I'm comin' over, I'm a stud ♪/i>
>> [screaming]
>> ♪roll out the red carpet ♪/i>
♪I'm a stud ♪/i>
♪and iever stop it ♪/i>
♪I'm a stud ♪/i>
Uh-oh, looks like I'm in
Trouble.
>> where is paula going?
♪♪/i>
>> that's it.
[booing]
>> keep back, keep going to the
Right.
[booing]
>> what the bloody hell was
That?
>> I've got--I've got slow
Songs, too, gentle ballads.
>> all right, whatever.
You know, geo, I came here, and
I put $5 million on the line
Here, and--and that appeared.
I don't know what you're
Thinking, genuinely.
>> I have other songs, too, but
Okay, I mean--
>> no.
[crowd jeers]
>> l.A.?
>> where did paula go?
>> I don't know.
>> what happened to paula?
Did we lose paula?
>> [coughs]
>> there's someone in there, go
In here.
Hello?
So, yeah.
[helen's toxic]
♪your toxic dance ♪/i>
♪slippin' under ♪/i>
>> okay, so listen, that was
Offensive.
>> yeah.
>> disgusting, distasteful,
Upsetting.
Get him out of the building,
Please.
[cheers and plause]
Nicole?
>> yeah, geo, I'm a little
Traumatized.
I'm gonna have to say no.
>> [cohs]
>> paula, are you okay?
♪with the taste of your lips ♪/i>
♪I'm on a ri ♪/i>
>> all right, I'm gonna say no,
So that's the last we're gonna
See of you, I think.
>> ♪with a taste of a poison ♪/i>
♪paradise ♪/i>
[booing and jeering]
>> what the hell was that?
>> what was that?
I--I don't--paula was so
Offended, she left.
>> I was in key, everything was
Going well, I just--my pants
Were down, I was just jumping
Around, and the audience turned
Against me, I don't know what
Happened.
I'm a stud is one song out of--
Of many that I have to offer,
And I thought they'd like it.
>> I just witnessed a nightmare
Onstage.
It really got me sick.
>> ♪your toxic dance ♪
♪slippin' under ♪
>> [crowd chanting] paula!
Paula!
[cheers and applause]
>> ♪I'm addicted to you ♪
♪don't you know ♪
♪that you're toxic? ♪
♪with the taste of your lips ♪
♪I'm on a ride ♪
>> [from the crowd] paula, we
Love you!
>> were you really sick?
>> yeah.
I'm disgusted.
It made me sick to my stomach.
>> well, thank you for letting
Up.
>> you--you have no idea.
>> while paula recovers from her
Experience, outside the
Contestants keep coming.
>> please have your tickets out.
>> and among the thousands is
The next auditionee--
20-year-old gardener, marcus
Canty.
>> I started singin' at 11 years
Old.
Me andy mom would sing in the
Kitchen while she was doin' the
Dishes.
>> I remember him being this
Little, shy kid.
I don't even think words can
Express just how proud I am of
Him today.
I'ma stay calm for you.
I'm like, I'ma stay calm.
>> yeah.
>> okay?
You know I love you.
>> you're good, lady.
I dream about music.
You know, I dream about bein'
Onstage, big lights, bright
Lights, laughin'.
My ultimate goals are to be my
Own record producer, you know,
Earn a grammy, uh, red carpet.
I practice everywhere.
Uh, I could be singin' in the
Bathroom, uh, I could be on the
Toilet.
[laughs]
>> [laughs]
>> marcus has been workin'
Really hard, and I gave him a
Two-year window.
I was like, you can do this for
Two years, but after that you're
Gonna have to go and get me a
Degree.
>> a lot of people tell you,
"you need to go to school,"
But I see this dream that I want
To--I'm chasin'.
I won't stop until I get it.
This audition means the world to
Me.
>> do we get to move with him?
>> yup, everyone come with.
>> this is my last chance.
[cheers and applause]
>> marcus.
[cheers and applause]
>> sweetheart!
[heart beating]
>> welcome back.
Earlier, 20-year-old marcus was
Preparing to audition.
>> I dream about music, I dream
About bein' onstage, big lights,
Bright lights.
>> and I gave him a two-year
Window, I was like, you can do
This for two years, after that
You're gonna have to go and get
Me a degree.
>> this is my last chance.
This audition means the world to
Me.
>> take that dream onto the
Stage, sir.
>> appreciate it.
>> excellent, marcus, there
You go.
[family cheers]
>> and with his mum and family
Supporting him from backstage,
It's now time for marcus to face
The judges.
[applause]
>> hello, dear.
What is your name, sir?
>> uh, my name is marcus canty.
>> how old are you?
>> I'm 20 years old.
>> what do you do, besides sing?
>> uh, I play basketball in my
Free time.
I like children.
I watch children at the church,
And, uh...
>> nice.
>> I just enjoy life.
>> good for you.
>> thank you.
>> uh, are you at college,
Marcus?
>> I'm actually not in college.
I'm two years out of high
School, and this is my--this is
My last chance, my mom gave me
Two years, and it's my last
Chance, so I'm here.
>> what happens after two years?
>> he's gotta get a real career.
>> after--after two--yeah, yeah,
After two years I gotta choose
Another career, I guess.
>> how far into the two-year
Windowre we?
>> he's almost done.
>> so this is it.
>> and this is comin' on my--my,
Uh, two-year mark, so--
>> this is all or nothin'.
>> yes, ma'am.
>> okay, what are you gonna
Sing?
>> uh, I'm gonna song, I wish,
By stevie wonder.
>> well, we wish you the best of
Luck.
>> thank you so much.
[song begins]
♪uh, a-come on, uh ♪/i>
Can I get y'all to clap for me?
[audience claps in rhythm]
♪yeah-ee, uh! ♪/i>
♪looking back on when I was ♪/i>
♪a little nappy-headed boy ♪/i>
[cheers and applause]
♪yeah ♪/i>
Listen.
♪then my only worry ♪/i>
♪was for christmas ♪/i>
♪what would be my toy ♪/i>
♪hey ♪/i>
♪ha ♪/i>
♪you're tryin' your best to ♪/i>
♪bring the water to your eyes ♪/i>
♪thinkin' it might stop her ♪/i>
♪from whippin' your behind ♪/i>
♪I wish those days ♪/i>
[audience cheers]
♪could come back once more ♪/i>
♪why should those days ♪/i>
♪ever have to go? ♪/i>
♪I wish those days ♪/i>
♪ever have to go ♪/i>
♪'cause I love them so ♪/i>
>> oh, my god!
[cheers and applause]
♪uh, a-doo-doo-no ♪/i>
Come on!
♪smokin' cigarettes ♪/i>
♪and writin' something nasty ♪/i>
♪on the wall ♪/i>
♪you nasty boy ♪/i>
[laughs]
♪teacher sent you to ♪/i>
♪the principal's office ♪/i>
♪and it's down the hall ♪/i>
♪yeah ♪/i>
See, listen!
♪you grow up and learn ♪/i>
♪that kind of thing ♪/i>
♪ain't right ♪/i>
♪see, but while you were ♪/i>
♪doin' it ♪/i>
♪it sure felt outta sight ♪/i>
♪I wish those days ♪/i>
♪could come back once more ♪/i>
♪why should those days ♪/i>
♪ever have to go? ♪/i>
♪'cause I love them so ♪/i>
[music ends abruptly]
[cheers and applause]
[r. Kelly's the world's
Greatest]
♪♪/i>
[cheers and applause]
[screaming and cheering]
>> ♪I am a mountain ♪/i>
♪I am a tall tree, oh ♪/i>
♪I am a swift wind ♪/i>
♪sweepin' the country ♪/i>
[cheers and applause]
♪I am a river ♪/i>
♪down in the valley, oh ♪/i>
♪I am a vision ♪/i>
♪and I can see clearly ♪/i>
[cheers and applause]
♪if anybody asks you who I am ♪/i>
>> marcus.
Sweetheart!
>> whoo!
[cheers and applause]
>> oh, my god, I know he's
Excited.
>> wow, wow, wow.
I worked with an artist in the
'80s who was like, amazing,
Amazing, amazing, and his name
Was bobby brown, right?
>> ooh!
Ooh!
>> and I've been lookin' for
Bobby brown ever since.
[laughing] right?
[laughter]
And--and listen, I know you're
Unique, and you've got your own
Thing, but boy, you got that
Bobby brown in you.
>> yes, you do.
>> you're the truth, boy!
>> whoo!
>> nicole.
>> ooh, marcus, you're what
We've been waiting for, babe.
[audienceers]
Wish I could see the look on
Your mom's face right now...
>> oh, my god.
>> I know she must be so proud.
>> marcus, everything about you
Is relevant, fresh.
You are adorable, and you just
Illuminate the room.
You are fantastic.
[audience cheers]
Simon.
>> you know, this--this is one
Of those songs, normally I go,
You do not sing this song...
But I really, really like you.
I don't know what it is about
You, you remind me of actually
More like usher.
I think that you are cool.
>> my idol!
>> you can sing, you can dance.
I tell you, marcus, you are one
To watch.
[cheers and plause]
>> let's go to a vote.
>> oh, my god, oh, my god!
>> yes or no, l.A. Reid?
>> I couldn't be happier than to
Say yes, my friend.
[cheers anapplause]
>> nicole.
>> absolutely, yes.
[cheers and applause]
>> simon.
>> this is for you, and this is
For your mother...
You've got three yeses.
[crowd goes wild]
♪I'm that star up in the sky ♪/i>
♪I'm that mountain peak ♪/i>
♪up high ♪/i>
♪hey, I made it ♪/i>
>> yes for me, four yeses,
Congratulations.
[cheers and applause]
♪I'm that little bit of hope ♪/i>
♪when my back's ♪/i>
♪against the rope ♪/i>
♪I can feel it ♪/i>
>> whoo!
♪I'm the world's greatest ♪/i>
[cheers and applause]
♪I'm that star up in the sky ♪/i>
♪I'm that mountain peak ♪/i>
♪up high ♪/i>
♪oh, yes, I am ♪/i>
♪hey, I made it ♪/i>
♪I made it ♪/i>
♪I am the world's greatest ♪/i>
♪at the end of the tunnel ♪/i>
♪believe in the pot of gold ♪/i>
>> [laughing] that's for you!
>> oh, my god.
>> thank the lord we caught you
Within that two-year window.
>> [laughs]
>> I am so proud of him.
>> you should be.
>> I am so proud of him.
>> [laughs]
>> [singing] what you say, bobby
Br-iz-own, usher, what is it?
♪believe in the pot of gold ♪/i>
>> I am so excited.
>> [laughs]
>> [squeals] y!
>> ooh, I love this boy.
>> [laughs]
I love this boy.
>> I'm just--I'm just happy that
She's here with me.
I'm a mamma's boy.
>> yes, he is.
All: Whoo!
♪just walk on through, hey! ♪/i>
>> welcome back to the x factor.
The search for music's next big
Thing is on.
And the crowds have turned out
In force here in seattle.
And it's the start of a new day
For new judge nicole scherzinger
Who's joined the panel in the
Search for an act worthy of a
$5 million recording contract.
Not only is it a big day for the
Contestants, it's also nicole's
Birthday.
But she's keeping it quiet.
[crowd singing happy birthday]
♪happy birthday to you ♪/i>
>> to me!
♪happy birthday ♪/i>
♪dear nicole ♪/i>
>> that's me!
>> ♪happy birthday to you ♪/i>
♪happy birthday to you ♪/i>
>> oh, my gosh.
It's a beautiful birthday cake
With your face on it, simon.
>> you know what I love about
You guys?
No one's full of themselves.
>> yeah.
That's amazing.
>> contestants: Happy birthday,
Nicole!
>> why are you talking like a
Six-year-old?
>> because it's my birthday,
Simon.
It's my birthday.
>> happy birthday.
>> now.
>> we almost forgot.
>> I'm just so happy I can share
My 21st birthday with all of you
Today.
>> so the judges are in a
Celebratory mood.
And hoping to join the party
Is boy band, the anser.
>> hi, welcome to the x factor.
>> thank you.
>> my name is grey and I'm 21
Years old.
>> my name is pj and I'm 20
Years old.
>> my name is jarret and I'm 27
Years old.
>> all: And we are the anser.
>> where do you come from?
What's the deal?
>> we come from salt lake city,
Utah.
We road-tripped it up here.
>> 840 miles?
>> you bet.
>> 840 miles.
>> that's a long way to come.
>> my job is essentially making
Copies and making coffee.
>> I am a lounge singer.
>> I work at a fast food place.
Of course the only thing I wanna
Be doing is music.
>> we wanna fill stadiums,
We want sold-out tours.
>> just take a deep breath,
Relax.
Everything's gonna wor
>> kiss your families before you
Go on.
Very best of luck.
Thser takes the stage!
Okay, welcome, guys.
And who are you?
>> we are the anser.
And before we get this business
Started, we have a little
Message for somebody.
We hear it's somebody's
Birthday.
>>ll: ♪happy birthday ♪/i>
♪to you ♪/i>
>> ♪nicole ♪/i>
>> you're so beautiful.
>> thank you so much.
That was so sweet.
Thank you.
>> who put the group together?
>> we all put the group
Together.
We've actually known each other
For a few yes.
>> okay.
Okay, what are you gonna sing
Today?
>> theong's called rolling in
The deep, but we're gonna put
A little twist at the end.
>> okay, good luck.
>> thank you.
[ rolling in the deep plays]
♪♪
>> ♪there's a fire ♪
♪starting in my heart ♪
♪reaching a fever ♪
♪it's bringing me ♪
♪out the dark ♪
>> ♪the scars of your love ♪
♪they leave me breathless ♪
♪I can't help feeling ♪
>> ♪we could've had it all ♪
>> ♪you're gonna wish you ♪
♪never had met me ♪
>> ♪rolling in the deep ♪
>> ♪tears are gonna fall ♪
♪rolling in the deep ♪
>> ♪you had my heart inside ♪
♪of your hand ♪
♪but you played it ♪
♪to the beat ♪
>> all: ♪oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪
♪oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪
>> ♪we see the sunlight ♪
♪we ain't stopping ♪
♪keep on dancing till the... ♪
>> come on, seattle!
♪we could've had it all ♪
>> ♪you're gonna wish you ♪
♪never had met me ♪
>> ♪rolling in the deep ♪
>> ♪tears are gonna fall ♪
>> ♪you had my heart inside ♪
♪of your hand ♪
♪but you played it ♪
♪to the beat ♪
♪we could've had it ♪
>> all: ♪all ♪
>> l.A.?
>> you were prepared, you got
The swagger, you got the
Excitement, you got us excited.
It felt good down here.
I know it felt gd up there.
>> it did!
>> I'm gonna say yes.
>> thank you.
>> whoo-hoo!
>> nicole?
>> because you are three words--
Fa, bu, lous, I'm gonna say
♪yes, yes, yes ♪
>> paula?
>> you get that this is a
$5 million prize.
Honored to have you, yes.
>> okay, the answe you have
Got...
Four yeses.
>> whoo!
>> thank you so much.
>> love you!
>> they're good.
>> so the boys from the anser
Are one step closer to their
Dream and they've made it
Through to boot camp.
>> welcome back to the x factor
And seattle, wherehe crowds
Are out in force, hoping they've
Got what it takes to be the next
Big thing in music.
And someone who's desperate to
Make it big is 23-year-old
Nici.
>> music is something I'm
Passionate about.
Hi, how's it going?
>> I'm good, I'm good.
What's your name?
>> nici.
>> nici, it's lovely to meet
You.
>> lovely to meet you as well.
>> how long you been singing
For?
>> forever, I like to sing
Regularly.
Since I was like a little girl.
>> it's all you, nici.
>> thank you.
>> you ready?
>> absolutely.
>> off you go, sweetie.
>> the x factor's the first
Rsuitowards music for me.
Someday I nna like sell out
Stadiums, tire somewhere.
>> hi, what's your name?
>> nici.
>> nici. Nici--
>> collins.
>> how old a you, nici?
>> 23.
>> okay, where you from?
>> maryland.
>> and do you work, nico?
>> yeah.
>> what do you do, babe?
>> I'm an event planner.
>> all right, nicole
[emotions plays]
♪♪
♪[off-key] feels like a dream ♪
♪when you love me tenderly ♪
♪I don't know if it's real ♪
♪but I like the way I feel ♪
♪inside ♪
♪you've got me feeling ♪
♪emotions ♪
♪deeper than I've ever ♪
♪dreamed o♪
♪oh, oh, you got me feeling ♪
♪emotions ♪
♪higher than the heavens ♪
♪above ♪
[high-pitched shrieking]
I'm done.
>> you're stopping the audition?
>> no, no, we can do another
Song.
>> I don't think we need to hear
Anything else, nicole.
>> simon, this isn working.
>> it is working, darling.
We heard you.
>> um, you guys, I'll just do
Another song.
You're in the audience.
>> nicole?
>> well, hi, nicole.
>> nicole.
>> you have a range.
>> it's the register.
>> yes, it is.
Many, many registers.
>> thank you.
>> feel like you did this
On a dare.
>> no, never.
I sing all the time, regularly.
>> I thi we should go to a
Vote.
>> let me start here, nicole.
You have a horrible voice.
>> are you kidding me?
>> I'm being serious.
I've gotta say no.
>> no, no, no.
>> paula?
>> no.
>> no?
>> no.
>> no?
>> you got four nos.
>> that's gotta be a joke.
>> that was fun.
>> I am shocked and outraged.
>> she was really horrible.
>> I'm gonna guess mum and
Daughter.
>> both: Yes!
>> and what are you gonna sing?
>> we're gonna start off with a
Little stevie wonder medley.
Whoo, whoo!
>> all right, best of luck.
>> ♪surrounded by four walls ♪
♪that ain't so pretty ♪
>> ♪his parents give ♪
♪him love and affection ♪
♪to keep him strong ♪
♪moving in the right ♪
♪direction ♪
>> can we try one more?
>> no.
>> both: Thank you.
>> her mother is literally
Pulling her off the stage.
You just know they live in a
Field, don't you?
Surrounded by no houses.
Right?
>> I feel like I should've got
Three yeses.
>> what's your name?
>> darren michaels.
>> and where you from, darren?
>> las vegas.
>> what do you do in vegas?
>> I'm a musician.
My girl kinda supports me, has
Been the last several years.
>> how much has she invested in
You?
>> over $100,000 so far.
>> wow.
>> [laughing devilishly]
>> good luck, darren.
>> ♪like rgin ♪
♪like a virgin ♪
♪touched for the very fit ♪
♪time ♪
♪virgin ♪
[laughing devilishly]
>> it's like I'm living in some
Sort of nightmare here.
>> good or bad?
>> bad.
Nightmares are never good,
Darren.
[imitating darren's laugh]
>> absolutely not for me, my
Man.
>> oh, no.
>> no.
>> thank you.
>> [imitating darren's laugh]
>> they don't know I'm good
Music?
If you're not looking for me,
What the hell are you looking
For?
>> are you a family group?
>> pretty much.
>> you could call us sisters.
>> so why did you put the group
Together?
>> we love to sing together,
We have a diverse sound.
>> okay, good luck.
>> all: ♪what the hell ♪
♪is going on ♪
>> it was a little bit the
Kind of music I have when I'm
Having a massage.
You know?
>> I'm gonna have to pass.
>> no, I'm sorry.
>> I'm gonna say no.
>> thank you, ladies.
>> with the judges needing a
Break, there's still someone
Who has something on her mind.
>> simon!
How could you tell me that I'm
The worst singer in the world?
>> rewind the tape.
>> simon, I sing regularly.
You are the meanest judge.
Then, how can you--no, not even
That.
>> nicole, nice to meet you.
>> simon!
Simon!
I sing on a regular basis.
I'm going to go and post
Something on youtube right now.
>>elcome back to the x factor
Whe the seattle auditions are
In full flow.
>> ♪I fell in love with a boy ♪/i>
>> I'm gonna give you a yes.
>> congratulations.
>> you're through.
>> next up is chris rene.
>> that sound right there is
Sick.
My name is chris rene.
I'm 28 years old...
What?
D my job is to haul trash.
I am what I am, I am who I am.
You know what I mean?
But that's...What I'm chasing
Now.
I got a two-and-half-year-old
Boy.
This audition could open up so
Many doors for us.
I wanna be on stes singing for
People.
Making money.
This is my brother me ne.
>> pleure to meet you, sir
You ready?
>> I'm rea.
I'm done with hauling tras
Time to sing on stagand
Enteain america.
>> hel.
>> hi, evebody.
>> hi.
What's your name?
>> my name's chris rene.
>> how old are you, chris?
>> I'm8.
>> 28.
Anwhere you from?
>> I'm from santa cruz,
California.
>> you working?
>> uh, yes.
So, I haul trash.
Yeah.
>> so what would wninghis
Compition--$5 million
Recording coract--me to
You?
>> iwod mean the world,
Specifical it uld mean
Stabitfor mendy so
My family.
I just got out oreb
Tually.
>> oh, wow.
>> growing up, my life was
Really good.
Couldn't have asked for better
Parents or better brothers and
Sisters.
When I was like 12 or 13,
I started smoking weed.
When I was 15, I started
Drinking beer and stuff.
And then it went on to cocaine
And methamphetamines.
I have this disease called
Addiction.
The shame and the guilt just
Got to me.
Just totally broke me.
There's always a chance.
And there's always a choice.
Instead of doing nothing with
Myself, I want my son to see me
Singing on stages because life
Is too precious to waste.
>> how long you been clean?
>> 70 days.
>> good for you.
What are you gonna sing for us?
>> I'm gonna sing an original
Song called young homi
>> young homie.
>> that's right.
>> did you write it?
>> yeah, I wrote it.
I made the music for it too.
>> good luck.
>> thank you.
>> here we go.
[soft piano music]
♪♪/i>
♪ah yea yeah yea ♪/i>
♪see, I opened up my mind ♪/i>
♪with these spoken words ♪/i>
♪let this music heal lik>
♪an overture ♪/i>
♪now she's t only one ♪/i>
♪yeah, and so I roll with her ♪/i>
♪ooh, and that's how ♪/i>
♪it's supposed to ♪/i>
♪living life with loved ones ♪/i>
♪close to me ♪/i>
♪shh, ah, this is the remedy ♪/i>
♪and got the recipe ♪/i>
♪I don't need hennessy ♪/i>
♪yeah, it's be two months ♪/i>
♪now, I haven't had a drink ♪/i>
♪and I'mtarting to see ♪/i>
♪lear now ♪/i>
♪I'm putting all my ♪/i>
♪fears down ♪/i>
♪I can hear the cheers now ♪/i>
♪seeing peace signs ♪/i>
♪when I look around ♪/i>
♪hey, yog hoe ♪/i>
♪what you trippin' on ♪/i>
♪loon' at life like ♪/i>
♪how did I getere oh ♪/i>
♪but life's too short ♪/i>
♪gotta live it long ♪/i>
♪o my brothers and sisters ♪/i>
♪and where we get along ♪/i>
♪hey, big homie ♪/i>
♪what you trippin' on ♪/i>
♪yeah, what you trippin' on ♪/i>
♪life is too short ♪/i>
♪gotta live it ♪/i>
>> oh, yeah, he's digging it
All right.
♪give peace to the war ♪/i>
♪on these streets ♪/i>
♪give peace to even ♪/i>
♪the creeps, yeah ♪/i>
♪it takes education ♪/i>
♪to change your reputation ♪/i>
♪from good to bad ♪/i>
♪and even better now you're ♪/i>
♪elevatin' ♪/i>
♪baby singing ♪/i>
♪family's hanging ♪/i>
♪everybody's chillin' ♪/i>
♪not gonna stop this ♪/i>
♪livin' on a feelin' ♪/i>
♪man, this is the real thing ♪/i>
♪tell me can you feel me ♪/i>
♪so waitill they drop this ♪/i>
♪dancing on the ceiling ♪/i>
♪hey, young homie what you ♪/i>
♪trippin' on ♪/i>
♪living life like how did I ♪/i>
♪get here oh ♪/i>
♪what you really trippin' on ♪/i>
♪life's too short ♪/i>
♪gotta live it long ♪/i>
♪see my brothers and sisters ♪/i>
♪we get along ♪/i>
♪they never thought ♪/i>
♪I'd make it this far ♪/i>
♪look now here we are ♪/i>
♪see, I never thought ♪/i>
♪I'd take it this far ♪/i>
>> wow-wee.
Let me tell you something.
What did you write?
"little homie what you trippin'
On?"
>> yeah.
>> yeah, honey, I'm trippin'
On you.
I'm serious.
I can't even desibe your
Talent.
It's "undescribable."
People always say, "what's
The x factor?"
I say it's "undescribable."
So I guess you got the x factor.
>> you are a bright light.
You lit us all up.
You are so talented, words can't
Articulate.
That's all I can say.
>> thank you.
>> you know what, I've worked
With some of the greatest
Hip-hop artists from jay-z
To kanye west, and all of my
Boys, they would be proud of me
Today to tell you that you are
The truth.
>> simon?
>> um...
Always my favorite feeling in
The world is when I sit in this
Chair and I meet a star for the
First time.
And there's something about you.
And what I like about the fact
Is that maybe you need the show
And maybe we need you.
>> let's go for a vote.
>> chris?
Yes!
>> you know what, chris, I'm
Gonna give you a yes, but man,
You gotta stay straight!
And when I call, and when I call
You, I don't wanna talk to your
Sister, I don't wanna talk to
Your--
You better pick up the phone
And let me hear your voice and
So I know that you're okay.
>> I will, always.
I will always be right here.
>> my man.
>> right here.
>> chris, we have a deal here,
Right?
If we're gonna put you through,
For you, your son, we're staying
On the right track, yeah?
>> yeah, yeah.
>> that's the deal we make.
There's no breaking that.
Got it?
>> I got it, simon.
>> fine, then you got my yes.
>> congratulations, chris.
God is good, you got four yeses,
Honey.
>> that right there, that
Changed my life.
My son's gonna see that,
You know what I mean?
Like, oh, my god!
I couldn't believe that.
That blew my mind, man.
That blew my mind.
Did it sound good?
I sounded good? It was good?
>> oh, yeah.
>> I'm blown away.
I'm blown away.
Yeah, I'm overwhelmed.
Dude, did you feel that feeling
Of almost passing out?
>> yeah.
>> [exhales] wow! Dude.
The first best day of my life
Was when my son was born.
The second best day of my life
Was when I got clean and sober.
The third best day of my life
Is what just happened just now.
[dramatic music]
♪♪/i>
[overlapped vocalizing]
>> I absolutely love you.
>> ♪[low drone] ♪/i>
>> I personally feel just a
Little violated.
>> oh, my gosh.
>> it's ridiculous!
>> ♪[high note] ♪/i>
>> when you started singing,
I wanted to slit my wrists.
sync by llsling