THE X FACTOR: L-R: Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell at the Los Angeles taping of THE X FACTOR airing on FOX. CR: Ray Mickshaw / FOX.
THE X FACTOR, the highly anticipated singing competition series debuting this fall on FOX, is giving fans an additional opportunity to audition for the show online via YouTube. Beginning today through June 9 – for one week only – solo artists and vocal groups 12 years old and over will have the opportunity to submit an audition video exclusively on YouTube at www.youtube.com/theXfactorusa.
YouTube auditions make it easier and more convenient than ever for hopefuls to audition for THE X FACTOR, giving more people the chance to become a global superstar or breakout music group and win a $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music.
Entrants should demonstrate their singing ability by performing a song a cappella. Videos are limited to two (2) minutes in length, including a 30-second introduction that explains who they are and why they have THE X FACTOR. Audition videos, which will be judged in a similar fashion to the live audition cities, will remain private and be viewable only by THE X FACTOR team. Auditioners selected to move forward in the competition will be offered the opportunity to continue their audition in front of the judges.
“I’m really happy we are launching auditions through YouTube,” said Simon Cowell. “There is a lot of great talent online now, and especially young kids today are using YouTube to get themselves seen and heard. It’s very easy, and it is $5 million after all! I’m very excited to see the auditions that might come through this.”
“With the largest guaranteed prize in television history at stake, we’ve got to make sure that every potential superstar in the country has an opportunity to audition for THE X FACTOR,” said Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. “YouTube allows us to broaden our talent search beyond our audition cities to the tens of millions of YouTube users in the U.S.”
“YouTube is thrilled to partner with FOX, Syco, FremantleMedia and Pepsi to engage the YouTube community in THE X FACTOR phenomenon in the U.S.,” said Robert Kyncl, Vice President of TV and Film Entertainment at Google.
In a departure from other singing competition series, the first time contestants audition for THE X FACTOR judges, they will do so in front of an audience of thousands – raising the stakes and increasing the pressure to impress not only the judges, but also a potential legion of fans. This will be the ultimate test to prove they have the vocal ability, charisma and stage presence that it takes to win an unprecedented $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music.