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The X Factor Season 2: Conference Call With Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid

Posted on 02/22/2012 by Todd in The X Factor and Cast Interviews

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Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid from The X Factor

by Todd Betzold

 

We are only three weeks away from the start of live auditions for Season 2 of The X Factor. To help promote the show and let fans know about what's been going on since Melanie Amaro was crowned champion, Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid met with reporters today for a conference call to discuss auditions, judges, a possible Super Final, Whitney Houston and much more.

 

Q. With the live auditions just three weeks away, are you expecting to have the other two judges by then? Also, if Whitney Houston would have been alive, do you think it would have been probable that she would have been a judge this year?
A. Simon: The live auditions we've just spoken about, these are the ones that are filmed...these are the open auditions. So, we probably don't need to confirm the new judges by then...that will happen over the next few weeks. Regarding the Whitney question, if you don't mind, I am going to had that question over to L.A. because he was closer that.

 

L.A.: You know what, we love Whitney...we would have certainly considered it, but the truth is it never quite came to that. There was an interest there, but never actually had meetings about it, but again we are both huge fans of Whitney and very sad about the loss of Whitney but we didn't really get that far so I don't think it's proper to comment beyond that.

 

Q. Regarding the judges, there is now talk of Britney Spears, Fergie, Janet Jackson...do you have comments on any of them?
A. Simon: You know what happens and this happened last year, there is a load of speculation...some true, some not true. It's true to say that there are a lot of people, a lot more people have entered the frame this year and we really waited this year to see who was going to contact us before we actually contacted people and we're in that place right now, which is a good place to be in. We will meet a number of people over the next few weeks, mainly to explain to them that this is a big commitment when you do a show like this...but I can't confirm or deny any of these rumors at the moment.

 

Q. You seemed to get a lot of negative reaction last year with some of the judges deciding to throw things over to how the people had voted instead of the judges making a decision and having the two people have a sing off. Are you going t be doing anything this year so that won't happen again?
A. Simon: I'm glad that you raised the question, because essentially this sing off was really intended to save somebody who we thought should stay in the competition but just had a bad night that night. Unfortunately, it didn't quite work as planned, in particular with Rachel (Crow) because for whatever reason they decided to take it to the public. In defense of Nicole, I don't think she thought that for one second that the public would put Rachel in the bottom. But I think going forward it's really important that we retain this because I think a) it adds a bit of drama to the end of the results show, but more importantly , like I said before it is intended...we call it the Jennifer Hudson save. If this process would have been in place on Idol that week, Jennifer would have remained in the competition probably. When it is done properly it is supposed to help the better artists.

 

Q. Regarding the auditions, I know you have been concerned with the groups and you have said that a group would make it further in the competition this season. How would you ensure that that would happen?
A. Simon: When we did start the show in the UK, it did take us a few seasons before good groups emerged and it's quite interesting we are having this conversation this week because the group that was third on The X Factor UK in 2010, One Direction, are about to literally explode in America and there is a chance their album may debut #1 when it is released. And I think that in itself is going to start making the point that groups can do well in these competitions. I standby what I said in a press conference last year...I think a group can win this show. We are trying to encourage better groups to audition. You'll see a significant difference of the quality of the groups this season...I'm absolutely convinced of that.

 

Q. I love hearing all these rumors about who might be joining you at the judges' table. Hypothetically, if Britney Spears did join you, what do you think she could bring to the table?

A. L.A.: (laughing) That was really slick. The only think you can count on is we will likely have two girls.

 

Simon: I think that is 100%, L.A. (laughing).

 

L.A.: That we can confirm, otherwise, come on (laughing).

 

Q. You don't want to say what she would bring to the show?
A. Simon: I can't even comment on it. Are we flattered that there could be interest? Yes. Other than that...you know, there's going to be a lot of twists and turns over the next few weeks and other things to announce, but while you have The Voice and Idol competing again each other I've learned a big lesson...keep your mouth shut (laughing). Don't give it all away.

 

Q. How excited are you for Rachel Crow and the big news she announced today?
A. Simon: It's incredible...referring to the week where Rachel was kicked off and I can recall sprinting on to the stage and saying to her, look, I genuinely believe this is the best thing that has happened to your career, which didn't go particularly well on that night, but a few days later it sunk in and we stuck to what we said, which was we are going to make a commitment to you...the public is interested in you and then along came Nickelodeon, which is such a perfect fit for her and Columbia Records...she is one of the most determined people I've met in my life.

 

L.A.: You're absolutely right and from the beginning we always felt she had what it takes to become a major star...she did have the X Factor. Winning was difficult, but it didn't stop the process. She's still going to be a big star...I stand by that.

 

Simon: We did say this before on the show, it's a show you have to want to win that's why we put the $5 million up, but at the same time I think we did a good job in our first season and not just finding one great artist, but a number and Rachel is one of a few that are going to have great careers at the back of this.

 

Q. You both said you are big fans of Whitney...do you plan on doing a tribute to Whitney during the season and keeping her music alive for younger fans?

A. L.A.: I think that is a great idea...I was going to recommend we do a Whitney segment because the music is so amazing and it's so generational and such a challenge for singers because the songs are so well performed. I really do think that is a good idea.

 

Simon: I've got a feeling L.A., just a hunch, that you will see a Whitney tribute on The Voice and Idol before us.

 

L.A.: You're probably right.

 

Simon: In which case, we have to do it in a different way. The important thing is that we are going to continue to pay tribute to Whitney Houston on this show because we love her, we love her songs and you'll probably never hear a season where you won't hear a Whitney song...they're timeless.

 

Q. And how do you hope her music does reach the younger generations?
A. L.A.: Great music just tends to do that. What I noticed in our auditions last year were some of the kids, Rachel for example, did an Etta James song that really got her through. So, when you have great music performed by great talents, like Whitney Houston, it just stands the test of time and gets rediscovered by generations as time goes on and it's not something we have to perpetuate...it kinda just happens on it's own because of the quality of the music and the artist singing it.

 

Q. Obviously Paula is no longer on the show. Are you going to work with her on other projects? Are you still friends?
A. Simon: I did speak to her on the night it was announced...I was going to speak to Nicole, but we were on different time zones, so we couldn't actually speak ourselves. All of them have been gracious and respectful and I feel the same way about them. They're friends and there were certain reasons why changes were made. Our shows always have to change and evolve over the years. At this particular time, it was decided to do it sooner, rather than later, but there wasn't anything negative about them. I think there are huge opportunities for us to be working with all of them in different areas and I'm not just saying that...it actually will happen.

 

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: Simon, you recently had a tweet that caused some ruckus among people. I was just wondering if there was any chance of a Super Final between all the winners of The Voice, Idol and X Factor?
A. L.A.: I love that tweet.

 

Simon: I was very disappointed with the reaction from the other two shows. I like the idea of a Super Final, providing the contestants were up to it from the beginning, but I thought it would be something different. They both stopped it for now, but I spoke to L.A. and we're still up for it.

 

L.A.: Exactly, I think it is a great idea especially if it takes place on The X Factor (laughs).

 

Simon: (laughing) It kind of felt like it was going to be the musical Super Bowl and I love that idea, but you know what maybe we will just have to compete in the Grammy's or something going forward. We've got to hear from the networks...right now, Nigel and Adam commented. I have no idea whether Fox or NBC think it's a good idea and I think at the end of the day, they're the ones who will have the ultimate decision on whether this will happen or not.

 

To find out more about auditions for The X Factor, check out www.thexfactorusa.com.

 

(Image courtesy of Fox)

 

Follow Todd @tbetzold


  


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