Despite it’s impressive ratings, the Australian version of the global hit ‘The X Factor’ continues to serve up mostly dull, ordinary and uninteresting performances (save perhaps for Young Men Society and Audio Vixen).
It’s only when you start looking at some of the acts from the international series (now screening in both the UK and the US) that you come to realise just how badly our version pales in comparison.
Over in the UK, contestant Jade Richards from Fife left judges Kelly Rowland and Louis Walsh in tears after her audition, performing a powerfully raw rendition of Adele’s ‘Someone Like You’ (HERE).
One of our favourites from the UK competition is Misha Bryan who this week stormed through the Bootcamp audition boldly performing Destiny’s Child’s ‘Survivor’ in front of Destiny’s Child’s Kelly (HERE). We think she’s ready to launch a career already.
In the US, meantime, 18 year old Melanie Amaro from Florida had all four judges on their feet with her powerhouse, goose bump-inducing rendition of Beyonce’s ‘Listen’, bringing judge Nicole Scherzinger to tears, moving Paula Abdul (is that a new face?) and prompting Simon Cowell to declare “When I was asked by a lot of people why I was bringing this show to America, it was because I hoped we were going to find someone like you.” (HERE).
And from the series premiere, 28 year old ‘garbologist’ Chris Rene delivered his own composition ‘Young Homie’ to the judges with style and spunk. This clip (below) has since gone viral, clocking up almost two and a half million hits in less than a week.
Just the talent shared by these four artists alone makes X Factor Australia look like a poor man’s karaoke competition.
Australia's first stop for pop!
Anonymous says
I think everyone is being way too harsh and it’s too early to tell.
Besides, it’s only this year that the Australian version of The X Factor has started drawing reasonable viewer numbers.
Didn’t it take 3 seasons for even the UK X-Factor to begin firing… when Leona Lewis came along. I don’t recall anyone significant before her. Or even after her, imo.
I also think the Australian X-Factor is showing a big improvement over last year. And it really only takes 1 singer to make the show legitimate. Imagine where American Idol could have been if Kelly Clarkson didn’t show what can happen from these shows. But you can’t have a Kelly or Leona or a Carrie Underwood every year.
If we can get close to a Guy Sebastian or Jessica Mauboy type of talent in this year’s group, then I think The X Factor has done its job.
Brad says
Agree with you all. Just looking at the last UK season, there was so much more talent, more gossip and more speculation. Obsessive fans. Everything. It was so big! Look how massive Cher Lloyd and One Direction have become!? Then from the past seasons like Olly Murs, JLS, Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke and Jeward. You don’t even have to win or be the runner up to score a record deal these days. It’s because the contestants are so much more interesting.
The Aussie version claims to be looking for the next “international superstar” which I think is an unattainable goal, judging from last night. Truth is, no one from our own X Factor or Idol series has ever achieved a significant amount of success in the international market.
Another problem is that all the judges this year come from a performing background. There is no one who has a business, marketing, managing, promoting, or actual record label perspective. You need someone from that side of the industry because they specialise in knowing what works with the buying public.
Anonymous says
Don’t worry guys. This time next year all the Aussie finalists will be back doing their 9-5 jobs and all those international acts will have scored deals to release their stuff here. Just like every other idol/factor show ever!!!
Will says
Agreed! The Australian version is so bad! Some of the contestants overseas are very exciting indeed – excellent post, auspOp!!
Sjors says
I’m so glad that it’s not just me who was thinking this. I gave up on X Australia and am hooked on the UK one now. Would be great if Seven could put it on one of their digital channels maybe
MARTAN says
I lived in Europe last year missing out on the Australian reboot of the X factor, instead I followed the seventh season of The X Factor UK.
Fast forward to this year, watching the Australian X Factor season 2.
There is no comparison or talent.