Kelly Rowland driving a hard bargain as X Factor bosses run out of time

April 21, 2012 in TV with 0 Comments

Kelly Rowland apparently wants £1.5 million if she’s to return to the X Factor this year.

The ‘Down For Whatever’ chanteuse ‘is said’ to have caught wind of Gary Barlow’s massive pay rise, which has seen his salary soar to an impressive £2 million. Last season Kelly “only” pocketed £500,000, so she wants that to be tripled before she signs any dotted lines.

But with auditions scheduled to start on May 15, bosses are reportedly weighing up their chances of success if they sack her off altogether and look for someone with a more reasonable price tag.

Says ‘a source’ to The Sun:

“Yes, we would love to see Kelly back as she was good and people liked her. But we are never held to ransom over these things. We never negotiate a deal based on what another member of the show is getting as that would be ludicrous. There is not a truckload of money sitting here to just hand out to people. Whatever we pay is a good salary and something they would struggle to get on any other TV show.”

Of course this could all be fabricated bullshit, but it does throw up the question of who would replace Kelly if she backed out. Bearing in mind how well The Voice has done, the show certainly needs to up its game if it’s going to remain the nation’s favourite talent hunt.


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Aiden Grimshaw ‘does a Vickers’, comes back amazing

April 19, 2012 in Music with 0 Comments

If you don’t make The X Factor final, you have to play your cards pretty well to bag yourself a decent career.

Diana Vickers’ unfortunate record label disputes may have landed her in a bit of a pickle in the long run, but she’s a good example. She came fourth in 2008 (back in the days when it was only really the winner and runner-up who could have a realistic shot at the big time), resisted the urge to rush-release anything and came back 16 months later with an amazing debut album and a chart-topping single.

And now, even though his music is drastically different to Diana’s, Aiden Grimshaw has pulled off a similar feat. He was eliminated in Week 5 of the 2010 series – yep, that series that has already given Top 10 albums to Mary Byrne, Matt Cardle, Cher Lloyd, Rebecca Ferguson and a certain One Direction – and has wisely taken his time with the follow-up. The exact same amount of time that Diana did, in fact.

Those who have had their eyes on TL for a while will know that I wasn’t a massive fan of Aiden back in the X Factor days. I didn’t dislike him, but I wasn’t crying into my leftover takeaway when he was knocked out either. I even caused a minor Twitter storm last year when news of his original material began to spread and I wondered if his fans might have been over-hyping him a bit. I mean, the guy was good but he hadn’t stuck out for me as the most promising artist ever to emerge from the long-running talent show.

Well, the bottom line is that ‘Is This Love?’ is brilliant. Daniel Bedingfield is a weird person to have springing to mind but, in a good way, that’s who I’m kind of reminded of. Maybe this tune is what Daniel Bedingfield would have sounded like if he had rocked up ten years later than he did.

The production is ace, the beat is massive, and – most importantly – Aiden is a fantastic vocalist. His very British accent sounds natural rather than forced, his falsetto is spine-tingling and he sounds a lot more comfortable here than he did on some of his X Factor songs.

We’ve had a world-conquering boyband, a straight-faced singer-songwriter, a SuBo-lite covers artist, a bratty teen queen, a soul-pop fountain of amazingness and now, on top of all that, Aiden’s ludicrously exciting debut as well…  in hindsight, the 2010 X Factor series really was the best, wasn’t it?

‘Is This Love?’ is out on June 3 – meaning chart combat with Jennifer Lopez, Marcus Collins and DJ Fresh ft Dizzee Rascall – and the album Misty Eye follows on August 13.


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There’s an important X Factor lesson Britney Spears can learn from Dannii Minogue (apart from ‘don’t shag Simon’)

April 16, 2012 in TV with 0 Comments

Now that Publicist To The Stars Max Clifford has confirmed that Dannii Minogue was indeed ‘getting it on’ with Simon Cowell during her first year at The X Factor, there’s an important lesson Britney Spears should take on board before confirming (if she hasn’t already) her involvement on the second season of the US show. And I don’t mean “don’t let Simon enter you” (though presumably that’s a given).

It’s that an alarming majority of the talent signed up to present or judge the show fail to leave with their head held high. Most are sacked, and those who leave on their own terms are either humiliated later on or driven to leave by a shitty working relationship with bosses.

This ‘article’ isn’t about bashing The X Factor as a show or its effect on the music industry, but of all celebrities who could do without the inevitable scandal and scrutiny that such a high-profile and high-pressure job entails, Britney Spears has to be among the the most vulnerable.

Here is a comprehensive list of on-screen talent who have escaped from The X Factor unscathed.

  • Sharon Osbourne (kinda). Is only former judge to have left on her terms.
  • Holly Willoughby. Quit The Xtra Factor after a couple of good years.

Here is a comprehensive list of on-screen talent who have not escaped from The X Factor unscathed.

  • Sharon Osbourne (kinda). May have quit rather than been sacked, but she said on numerous occasions she felt pushed aside by Dannii, and now we know why.
  • Dannii Minogue. Left on her terms, only to be thrown to the lions by Cowell’s biographer one year later as revelations about their fling are unveiled without her consent, and in the middle of her heartbreaking split from her long-term partner.
  • Cheryl Cole. Enjoyed a couple of years as the diamond in the show’s crown before being shat out very publicly and very embarrassingly after working on the US edition for a matter of days.
  • Nicole Scherzinger. Replaced Cheryl, became Public Enemy No. 1 for sending Rachel Crow’s elimination to deadlock, was swiftly sacked. Dreams of a lucrative solo career in the US dashed.
  • Paula Abdul. Maintained her dignity on the Twittersphere but was also sacked after one series, despite being one of Simon’s dearest friends.
  • Steve Jones. Was hired despite not really having enough experience for such a major gig. Was bad. Was fired after saying in numerous interviews he was under the impression he’d be back.
  • Kate Thornton. Was absolutely devastated when sacked at the end of the show’s third season, despite being told her job was safe.
  • Ben Shepherd. Walked out when not given Kate Thornton’s role. Was very bitter about it.
  • Fearne Cotton. Replaced Ben Shepherd. Rumoured to have fallen out with Cowell. Did not return for a second series.
  • Konnie Huq. Replaced Holly Willoughby. Said in numerous interviews she was under the impression she’d be back for a second series, despite negative public reaction. Was not back for a second series.

So, Britney can note that statistically there are very few judges and hosts who will escape from The X Factor smelling of roses.

And after everything she’s been through since 2007, and all the work she and her loved ones have put in to bring her back from the brink, is this job really the best way to show people she’s still the same girl? Or is it an accident waiting to happen?

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Simon Cowell discusses Britney X Factor rumours, world urges him to get a move on

April 13, 2012 in TV with 0 Comments


Imagine if Britney Spears didn’t sign on for The X Factor USA. All these rumours that have been knocking around for months on end would have been worth nothing and instead we’d have two Paula/Nicole replacements who would be comparatively out of the blue.

But it looks like the ball’s in her court, as Simon Cowell has given a rare interview on the matter to former American Idol colleague Ryan Seacrest, saying he’s “100%” up for signing her, “if we could get her”.

Asked by Ellen K, Seacrest’s co-host, if he thinks Brit will sign the dotted line, he said:

“We’ll have to find out very soon, darling… If we’ve spoken to her. Don’t forget, there’s a lot of names that have been bandied around – some true, some false – but we’ve said to everyone we’ve spoken to we’ve got to keep quiet about it because you’ve got to wait until people sign up. But we’re very, very close.”

Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Beyonce and Janet Jackson have all denied being linked to the show, but LeAnn Rimes, Avril Lavigne and Leona Lewis have all remained suspiciously tight-lipped over rumours they are in the running. Remember there are two vacancies on the judging panel, following the dismissals of Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger.

Stay up to date – follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

And now for some full-scale amazing Britneyness:

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Little Mix to première new single on Britain’s Got Talent?

April 3, 2012 in Music with 0 Comments

In a change from the norm, Little Mix will be the first X Factor winners since Shayne Ward to put out their first proper single just a few months after their victory, and it is speculated that they will perform it on a Britain’s Got Talent live show.

What’s more, Simon Cowell seems to be putting pressure on the quartet – Perrie, Leigh-Anne, Jesy and Jade – to match the ridonkulous success of One Direction.

Jesy told the Daily Star: ”We had a meeting with Simon three weeks ago so he could listen to the track, and it was like sitting in the headmaster’s office. We were so nervous before going in, it was surreal.”

Jade added: ”He really liked it. He’s happy with the progress we’ve made in such a short time and just wants us to be as successful as One Direction.

“The album’s going to be so different. No-one’s expecting what it sounds like.”

The BGT live shows will roll around in May and are thought to be considered a giant platform on which to launch the tune. It’s alleged by various outlets that contributors to the album include Gary Barlow (OH NO), One Direction writer Biff Stannard and production team TMS, who created Dappy’s ‘No Regrets’.

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Memorable X Factor 2011 rejects spotted at this year’s auditions

April 2, 2012 in TV with 0 Comments

Jade Richards, Joe Cox and James Michael have returned to The X Factor for another crack at the whip.

James actually made it through to the live shows under Gary Barlow’s mentorship, but a disappointing performance in the first week led to a very swift (and very teary-eyed) elimination.

Jade reduced Kelly Rowland to tears with her ‘Someone Like You’ audition, but was controversially cast aside at Judges’ Houses in favour of Janet Devlin, Misha B, Amelia Lily and the then-unknown Sophie Habibis. The distinctively-voiced Joe was also axed at Judges’ Houses, as Frankie Cocozza, Marcus Collins, Craig Colton and James sailed through instead.

A source told Telly Mix: “Everyone recognised [Jade]. It was like she was already famous. People were getting pictures and even autographs.”

All three showed promise last time around, and it’s also been alleged that Melanie McCabe – another casualty of Judges’ Houses – is back for her third attempt.

Repeat offenders on X Factor, previous talent show entrants on The Voice… are we running out of newbies?

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Sharon Osbourne: Quitting X Factor was ‘a dumb move’

March 27, 2012 in TV with 1 Comment

Sharon Osbourne has admitted that walking out on The X Factor was a “dumb move”, but a dignified one at that.

The popular TV matriarch walked out after four seasons on the hit talent contest, but returned in 2010 to help Louis Walsh in the Judges’ Houses stage. She has repeatedly blamed her exit on the arrival of Dannii Minogue, with whom she clashed on multiple occasions and has been slagging off on numerous occasions since.

“It was a huge show; it paid so well, so much came from it. But I wasn’t happy, so I walked away with dignity,” she said.

I love Mrs O, but by ‘dignity’ I assume she means ‘bitching and moaning about Dannii for years to follow’, right? Still, in the grand scheme of The X Factor I suppose anybody who jumps before they’re pushed can claim the moral high ground.

She also told The Times that bosses were desperate for her to make a comeback, but a certain Mr Cowell ruled her out.

“Simon wouldn’t let them and I don’t give a shit cos I can go ‘Fuck you’,” she explained. “He’s not a friend, but I don’t not get on with him. We lead very separate lives: I’m family orientated, he’s a mover and shaker.”

Only Sharon and nemesis Minogue have walked away from the series by choice, with Cheryl Cole, Paula Abdul, Steve Jones, Nicole Scherzinger, Kate Thornton and at one stage Louis Walsh all axed from the UK and US editions.

“Simon always ends up firing everyone,” continued Osbourne. “I didn’t want to give him that satisfaction. He always wants someone young and perky-titted sat next to him.”

A case in point? Carmen Electra on Britain’s Got Talent. The prosecution rests.

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The truth on those 2 Shoes ‘record deal’ rumours

March 27, 2012 in Music with 0 Comments

By the looks of the howmanypeoplearelookingatthesite-o-grams from last week, a lot of you were as excited as I was re the possibility of X Factor legends 2 Shoes securing a record deal.

But, given that the reports were based on a solid foundation of “a source overhearing someone saying something in a club”, it seemed like a good idea to get the 411 from the girls’ management.

Basically it’s been confirmed that the girls ARE  in talks with “a number” of record labels, but nothing else can be commented on at this stage.

Totes amaze. ROLL!

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X Factor’s 2 Shoes have a record deal?! OH PLEASE GOD LET THIS BE TRUE

March 23, 2012 in Music with 0 Comments

I don’t want to make the highlight of anybody’s week only for the rumours to be quashed, but APPARENTLY X Factor legends 2 Shoes have signed a bloody record deal.

I’m still waiting for my “source” (oh it feels so wanky saying that) at their HQ to confirm or deny the story, but HeatWorld makes this convincing claim:

The duo were overheard by our source at the Ministry of Sound club in London, saying that not only are they signed to a label, but they’re set to record house music and that there’s a 2 Shoes album slated for a summer release! They added that they’re on strict diets in the mean time, and hope to lose two stones each before they give the charts a go.

Alarmingly, 2 Shoes actually polled LAST when the voting re-opened for them, Amelia Lily, JonJo Kerr or James Michael to replace Frankie Cocozza, but they have since gone to score more Twitter followers than many of the acts who exited the contest at a later stage.

Obviously it’d take a miracle for them to sell millions of records but you never know… they could be the next Booty Luv or sommat.

 

 

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Dermot O’Leary considering X Factor exit

January 28, 2012 in TV with 0 Comments

Dermot O’Leary is unsure of whether he will be back for a sixth series as host of The X Factor.

Derms has overseen the victories of Leon Jackson, Alexandra Burke, Joe McElderry, Matt Cardle and Little Mix since taking over from Kate Thornton in 2007, but says his time on the show may be coming to an end.

He told The Sun: “I’ve not signed yet. The next month or so will be telling. I’ll either be doing it or I won’t. You never know. That’s the thing working for Simon [Cowell] and working on that show. If you had told me this time last year that he, Cheryl [Cole] and Dannii [Minogue] wouldn’t be there, I would have said, ‘You’re insane’.”

He added: “I’ve got a lot of other things to do this year. I’m getting married, so need to juggle all these things. But X Factor kicks off earlier for me than everyone else as I’m on board a bit before the judges, so we’ll see.”

Dermot did a top job in the 2011 run, keeping the tone light-hearted despite off-screen drama and constant in-fighting amongst the judging panel.

Would you like to see him back? Who could take his place?

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