Talent crucial to ‘X Factor,’ Simon says

  • By Rick Bentley The Fresno Bee
  • Thursday, September 12, 2013 2:49pm
  • LifeGo-See-Do

Women rule when it comes to the panel of judges on the latest edition of “The X Factor.”

Longtime judge and curmudgeon Simon Cowell has to deal with three female judges in Kelly Rowland, Paulina Rubio and Demi Lovato.

“So many girls doing so well in the charts, we thought the panel should reflect it,” Cowell said.

Unable to avoid adding a jab, Cowell smiles and adds: “But be careful what you wish for.”

What he’s really wishing for is a group of contestants — male and female — who will attract viewers to the reality music competition show. And, it’s very important the judges find a talent that will go on to fame and fortune.

As far as Cowell’s concerned, none of the music competition shows can survive if they don’t eventually launch a huge star.

“You’re making a promise, essentially, to the contestants that you’re going to try and turn them into real-life artists or the show finishes. It’s not a guarantee, but that is your commitment. Otherwise, it’s just a game show,” Cowell said.

The most important part for Cowell is what occurs after the final voting.

Lovato’s making her second appearance on the judging panel. She jokes that everyone told her you can’t say “no” to Cowell, but she took it as a matter of national pride to go against the British judge.

“I guess, being 19 last year, I had a naive sense of confidence. I wasn’t intimidated by him as people normally would be,” Lovato said.

“And this year, I’m not the only one that does that. That’s what makes this season stand out more. He’s up against three women that will absolutely do the same thing.

Joining Lovato in her verbal jousting with Cowell are Rowland, a singer and former member of Destiny’s Child, and recording star Rubio, who is considered one of the most influential contemporary Latin artists working today.

Tweaks to the show come out of Cowell’s competitive nature. “The Voice,” NBC’s singing competition series, has become the top-rated program in the genre. Cowell would love to see “The X-Factor” as the leader.

“You get that one or two special contestants, and it can change everything because that’s really what it’s all about.”

Watch it

“The X Factor airs at 8 p.m. Wednesdays on Fox.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Brandon Hailey of Cytrus, center, plays the saxophone during a headlining show at Madam Lou’s on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood-based funk octet Cytrus has the juice

Resilience and brotherhood take center stage with ‘friends-first’ band.

FILE - In this April 11, 2014 file photo, Neko Case performs at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. Fire investigators are looking for the cause of a fire on Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, that heavily damaged Case’s 225-year-old Vermont home. There were no injuries, though a barn was destroyed. It took firefighters two hours to extinguish the blaze. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP, File)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Singer-songwriter Neko Case, an indie music icon from Tacoma, performs Sunday in Edmonds.

Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli
Tangier’s market boasts piles of fruits, veggies, and olives, countless varieties of bread, and nonperishables, like clothing and electronics.
Rick Steves on the cultural kaleidoscope of Tangier in Morocco

Walking through the city, I think to myself, “How could anyone be in southern Spain — so close — and not hop over to experience this wonderland?”

chris elliott.
Vrbo promised to cover her rental bill in Hawaii, so why won’t it?

When Cheryl Mander’s Vrbo rental in Hawaii is uninhabitable, the rental platform agrees to cover her new accommodations. But then it backs out. What happened?

The Moonlight Swing Orchestra will play classic sounds of the Big Band Era on April 21 in Everett. (submitted photo)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Relive the Big Band Era at the Port Gardner Music Society’s final concert of the season in Everett.

2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport AWD (Honda)
2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport AWD

Honda cedes big boy pickup trucks to the likes of Ford, Dodge… Continue reading

Would you want to give something as elaborate as this a name as mundane as “bread box”? A French Provincial piece practically demands the French name panetiere.
A panetiere isn’t your modern bread box. It’s a treasure of French culture

This elaborately carved French antique may be old, but it’s still capable of keeping its leavened contents perfectly fresh.

(Judy Newton / Great Plant Picks)
Great Plant Pick: Mouse plant

What: Arisarum proboscideum, also known as mouse plant, is an herbaceous woodland… Continue reading

Bright green Japanese maple leaves are illuminated by spring sunlight. (Getty Images)
Confessions of a ‘plantophile’: I’m a bit of a junky for Japanese maples

In fact, my addiction to these glorious, all-season specimens seems to be contagious. Fortunately, there’s no known cure.

2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited (Hyundai)
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited

The 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited is a sporty, all-electric, all-wheel drive sedan that will quickly win your heart.

The 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T hybrid’s face has the twin red lines signifying the brand’s focus on performance. (Dodge)
2024 Hornet R/T is first electrified performance vehicle from Dodge

The all-new compact SUV travels 32 miles on pure electric power, and up to 360 miles in hybrid mode.

Don’t blow a bundle on glass supposedly made by the Henry William Stiegel

Why? Faked signatures, reused molds and imitated styles can make it unclear who actually made any given piece of glass.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.