x factor woes

LegacyUser

So Im considering going to the xfactor auditions in london in 2 weeks. bit all over the place because Im not sure what the repercussions would be. Ive sang for years, am 34 now, and at last have a career on track after a lot of messing around and delusional behaviour lol.
So my main worry is I will make a fool of myself in front of everyone, friends, relatives, bosses, clients, everyone! Even if I get past the first round it will be pretty embarassing! On the one hand Im telling myself to push all the rubbish out of my head and think of the fact I'll make a bit of money out of it if I do well, on the other Im worried any credibility I have as a professional that Ive worked for in the past 5 years will go down the swanny.
Would love to hear some opinions on it please!!

RedXIV

Xfactor only focus on people for 2 reasons, if they are really good or if they are really bad. you rarely see average singers on the show as people either want to be blown away or laugh at people.

Point is, if you're good enough to hold a note, you are only going to get attention if you're very good. Just keep calm, give it your best and at the end of the day, its just a bit of fun anyway

ilovefridays

Think Positive. Go for it you have nothing to loose. best of luck..x

Taltos

Look at it this way - if you don't go - will this be something that for years to come you will wonder - "What If???"

On a separate note - maybe ask some folk (not family) if you can carry a tune? We all know every year we get a huge kick at watching folk melt-down after being told they cannot sing, while outside their parents and family are insistent that they are the best thing ever.

In terms of your career - unless you have an absolute melt-down I would not be too concerned. If it ever comes up just say you were dared or thought you would give it a shot since you were in London for a long weekend or something similar.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

seamus

Most if not all of the finalists have been established gigging artists, many have had previous record deals or released records before going on the show.

Remember that it's an entertainment show - they tend to paint these idealistic pictures of the contestants as people who've been down on their luck for years, never had the courage to stand up and sing in front of anyone and suddenly they stand up in front of 4 famous people and their "undiscovered" talent is realised.

Mary Byrne has been gigging for years before she did X factor, but they gave you the impression that she's been doing nothing but working in Tesco and being a Mum and never had the courage to sing in public before.

I don't think it can do that much harm. If you're talented, then that will still come out on camera. I don't think you can lose credibility unless you come across as a complete weirdo.

Also consider that if you get anywhere past the initial auditions, you will likely make a few useful contacts - essential in the entertainment business - it's not about what you know, but who you know.

It's also worth knowing the format so you don't get put off on the day. You don't go and stand in front of the main judges. You go through at least 1 set of preliminary judges who weed out those people who are talentless and uninterested and let the talented and weird people through.

Cunning Stunt

even Leona Lewis had been working hard on her singing career before X Factor, though the show would make you believe she went straight from office worker to superstar. The show has given some the big break they needed. Best of luck if you do go, OP.

poozers

it shouldnt be what the show will do TO you! its about what itll do FOR you! in fairness to xfactor (me being one who only watches the auditions ), they never make fools out of people who have some bit of talent...its only the weirdos they make a "laugh" of (and from your post you dont strike me as one of those narcissistic weirdos )! so what if you dont get through, who cares!!! at least you can say to yourself "i got up and sang in front of 4 people who really know their stuff" and you and anyone else should be proud of that alone!!! do it! theyre not going to make fun of you, they do have the power to edit it that way...but unless your one of those "weirdos" they wont do it !! and i assure you, your friends, relatives and collegues would be well proud of you, and if anything...theyll be falling all over you looking for gossip from the show

MitchKoobski

Bit of a misconception here, OP before you even get to the judges you have to go through two or three different panels who decided whether or not you perform in front of 3/4 judges. Couple of friends have gone for it before and were told they had great voices, but didnt have "IT" to perform in front of the audience.

Fittle

I know someone went for the auditions 2yrs ago in Belfast.

She told me that she was sent to a hotel corridoor and went to a room (of about 50 rooms). There was a very young 'producer' of the show there, auditioning her.

She is great singer - she sings around pubs in Dublin and is really, really good. The very young producer told her she wasn't what they were looking for that day.....

She happened to be staying in the same hotel as the producer that night, and met her in the bar in the early hours. The producer told her that she, and many others, had an agenda to find 'certain' types of singers. Her agenda that day was to find the crap, middle aged men singers, and unfortunately, my friend didn't fit into the category.

So it's quite hit and miss OP. I think you should go for it, but be mindful that if you don't get through the initial stages, it's not necessarily a reflection of your talent. Best of luck.

Be wary that they will likely get you to sign a release form beforehand too. This is to basically say that the the station, the show, and the producers have the right to show whatever they want however they want. If they give you one, read over it first to see exactly what is stipulated. These more-or-less ensure that you can't sue them if they show you messing up. But as another poster pointed out - there are many auditions before the main audition. The likes of x factor and American Idol tell you that thousands turn up in one city, but do you expect the main judges to audition thousands in one day?

Spore

allovertheplace11 wrote: »

So Im considering going to the xfactor auditions in london in 2 weeks. bit all over the place because Im not sure what the repercussions would be. Ive sang for years, am 34 now, and at last have a career on track after a lot of messing around and delusional behaviour lol.
So my main worry is I will make a fool of myself in front of everyone, friends, relatives, bosses, clients, everyone! Even if I get past the first round it will be pretty embarassing! On the one hand Im telling myself to push all the rubbish out of my head and think of the fact I'll make a bit of money out of it if I do well, on the other Im worried any credibility I have as a professional that Ive worked for in the past 5 years will go down the swanny.
Would love to hear some opinions on it please!!

For the above reasons I would really advise you not to audition. If you've had any 'delusional' behaviour in the past this sort of show will only exacerbate it. X-Factor is an exploitation machine, the only people who profit from it are Simon Cowell and those safely sitting at home laughing at other people's public delusions. It sounds like your life is finally on track, keep it that way. If you love performing then do it, sing in a band, do open-mic's in town, whatever, just don't do this show!

ongarboy

I totally agree with the above post. Someone else mentioned below and Mary Byrne elaborated on it when interviewed on the Late Late that she had to go through and "succeed" in multiple screening auditions before she even got to audition in front of Simon/Louis etc. Doesn't that make you ask how all the hideous auditionees we've all cringed/laughed at got throught those initial auditions? They weren't picked for their talent, they were picked for their ridicule/"entertainment" value. Unfortunately, they were too gullible to realise this tactic. I'm not suggesting for a second that you do not have great talent but to even make it up the first rung of the ladder in showbiz, you need to believe in yourself 100% that you are a great singer. Worrying that your friends and acquaintances may laugh at you does not suggest you are fully confident with your talent and does not bode well for the harsh world of showbiz (particularly the exploitative nature of X Factor "talent" seeking where talented singers are brushed aside for more entertaining freakish talent). If you want to be able to sing and entertain, start with auditioning for wedding bands/ pub singers and make it that way. Try not to use it to seek fame as that is a shallow goal that will ultimately leave you disatisfied.

letsbehonest

As faras I know Mary Byrne won some Christmas number one show on TG4 in 2008. As far as I know with the x-factor you first of the x-factor you first of all apply and some people gets eliminated. Then you go onto the producers auditions and they pick out the really good people and the really bad people. They all ways pick the people that are unique in some way. I know that it was Cher llyods third time going for the x-factor before she got it and it was Olly Murrs fifth time. So before you go you should know if you get through to the next round they would prob really like or they think yoour funny!
Just go for it this time year next year you could me laufghing at your co-workers!

LegacyUser

Just do it for the craic. You don't need a panel of people to help determine what you should do with your life, or to tell you if you are good or not. Do you think you are good? Then do it anyways. You don't need that ape cowell to justify you being on that show, or to put your destiny in his hands....

n900guy

allovertheplace11 wrote: »

So Im considering going to the xfactor auditions in london in 2 weeks. bit all over the place because Im not sure what the repercussions would be. Ive sang for years, am 34 now, and at last have a career on track after a lot of messing around and delusional behaviour lol.
So my main worry is I will make a fool of myself in front of everyone, friends, relatives, bosses, clients, everyone! Even if I get past the first round it will be pretty embarassing! On the one hand Im telling myself to push all the rubbish out of my head and think of the fact I'll make a bit of money out of it if I do well, on the other Im worried any credibility I have as a professional that Ive worked for in the past 5 years will go down the swanny.
Would love to hear some opinions on it please!!

Ask yourself - is X-Factor for the benefit of the participants or is it for the benefit of TV ratings and advertising revenue?

If you genuinely want to be a singer, then audition for some bands, or get an agent.

If you want to be on television, go on X-Factor (it doesn't really translate to becoming a singer - but the celebrity pull vs. actually singing for a career is what is in the balance. Most singers don't get to go on TV).

Kidchameleon

Ask yourself what Mary Byrne would tell you. Thats your answer OP. Go for it.

Ickle Magoo

Please keep replies on topic and helpful to the OP.

Be aware that off-topic and unhelpful posting can earn you a ban from this forum.

Please take the time to read the forum rules in the charter and abide by them.

Many thanks.
Ickle

LegacyUser

ok, well Ive been in a good mood over the past few days and have decided to go for it! must say the chance of even getting in front of the judges will be near impossible after having looked at the videos on youtube of the prelim auditions. we are talking a one in 50000 chance haha!! but I do believe Ive a good voice, great sometimes, just didnt get the breaks over the years....so im gonna believe in myself and give it a shot

Freddie59

RedXIV wrote: »

Xfactor only focus on people for 2 reasons, if they are really good or if they are really bad. you rarely see average singers on the show as people either want to be blown away or laugh at people.

Point is, if you're good enough to hold a note, you are only going to get attention if you're very good. Just keep calm, give it your best and at the end of the day, its just a bit of fun anyway

Our daughter auditioned for it in 2009 (Glasgow). She is recognised as having a great (trained) voice, but is overweight. You should be aware that you have to sing in a cubicle (twice), then a junior production assistant decides whether or not you come back the following day. Our daughter heard a lad singing in the cubicle next door, and she honestly thought it was Josh Groban. Neither of them made it. The 'auditioners' were on the last leg of a very gruelling journey and were completely uninterested. It is a total lottery. And a farce.