New X Factor Series To Allow Children To Sing
Controversy has gripped the UK this week after ITV announced that they are now allowing kids from the age of fourteen upwards to take part in the popular talent show The X Factor. Representatives from child protection agencies are dubious as to whether it’s a good idea letting children take part.
NSPCC head of child protection awareness Chris Cloke, said: “Success on X Factor could be a real lift to a young artist’s career. However, it will be vital that ITV ensure they have robust child protection measures in place and that all young participants and their parents are made fully aware of what they are entering into.�
And an education consultant, Sue Palmer, said: “Young teens may think it’s a brilliant opportunity to get on TV and become celebrities, but the public humiliation doled out by Cowell would be emotionally destabilising for anyone.”
Record company boss and media mogul Simon Cowell is famous (or should I say Infamous) for his cutting remarks and down right vicious criticism of contestants on The X Factor show, and at his hands we’ve seen rejected contestants crying, throwing drinks, threatening the judges and many other amusing things, but funny though it may be to watch, I wouldn’t subject my kids to that kind of humiliation (if I had any).
This adjustment of the rules goes along with other changes like the axing of Louis Walsh as judge and Kate Thornton as presenter, for the all new X Factor, set to be back on British TV in the Autumn.
As an aside, Cowell is also running his own talent show hosted by Ant & Dec, called Britain’s Got Talent and with the auditions open to the public it’s going to be top class entertainment. Manchester Apollo are showing live auditions on March 23rd, 24th and 25th at 11:15am and 15:15pm, so if you’re up for a laugh get yourself along there, tickets are free by calling: 08700 24 1000, or apply online at: talent.itv.com
The X-Factor, X Factor, Simon Cowell, Children, ITV, Child Protection, Record Company, Louis Walsh, Kate Thornton, New Series, Ant And Dec, Britain, UK, Britains Got Talent, Manchester
March 17th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
I think it is good that they have lowered the age on the x factor,as long as the parent of the child goes in to the audition room i think that would be ok.We all watch x factor and know what to expect,my daughter will be 14 next year,and is really excited about it!At least one thing for sure,as with Britans got talent,and you had to wait to see whether or not you have made it,through to the next round,at least they do`t keep you in suspense!
March 20th, 2007 at 2:32 am
Thanks for commenting Elizabeth, and you have a n interesting point. IF the arents are allowed in with the kids then maybe that’s more acceptable, but these 14 year olds, some of whom will be quite innocent may still be subjected to vicious and cutting remarks from the judges. And this will be shown on TV so there’s no hiding place when they have to face the kids back at school!
April 18th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
I’m nearly 13 at the moment and i can’t wit to be old enough to take part. i love to sing and even if i don’t get through the first auditions i still want to hear the judges comments, and their personal opinions of my voice. And it will be such an amazing experience!!
i am one of those people who doesn’t care what people think of me but i like to take in peoples opinions of me so i know how to improve
April 18th, 2007 at 11:33 pm
Thanks for commenting Paige, and I do take your opinion on board, that you’d love the chance to get feedback about your talents and what you could do to improve. But, have you ever seen Simon Cowell and the way he treats some contestants on X Factor and Pop Idol? If he can upset adults and bring them to tears, imagine what impact a scathing attack on a young girl such as youself could have. It could potentially put you off singing for life, and that would be a great shame.
April 22nd, 2007 at 8:43 am
I wouldn’t get too excited anyone wanting to audition for the xfactor. It is THE most fixed and farcicle event i have ever had the misfortune to witness. You have a million times more chance of winning the lottery than being successful at your first audition. My daughter auditioned on Saturday and even though she has a fantastic voice and has won awards and starred in shows the so called producer who auditioned her didn’t even have the manners to look up from his book while she was singing ! Their was only one man in a small room, he asked her no questions and gave no feedback. We knew befo
re she staRted singing what a waste of time the whole experience was. She is LOVELY LOOKING GIRL WITH A BRIGHT BUBBLY PERSONALITY AND DEFINATE STAR QUALITY BUT UNFORTUNATELY SHE ONLY HAD ONE HEAD AND NO SOB STORY OR DISABILITY SO OF COURSE DIDN’T QUALIFY. i saw thousands of fantastic talent on the day NONE of whom went through.I only hope my daughter who is doesn’t
take this pathetic experience serious.
April 22nd, 2007 at 9:11 am
you are right i will never watch this show again as it is such a fix. One person who auditioned only done so for the experience so that she could feeback to pupils in her singing workshop. She has years of experience and has gone on tour with such people as kylie minogue,joss stone, jamiroqui as a supporting act. she had recently finished a 50 date tour and has had albums etc , and yet at her so called audtion the little weasle sitting behind his desk while she was singing was reading a text message. She decided it was pathetic and so didn’t bother to carry on. Like she said if you truly want to be a professional singer steer clear of the x factor circus.
April 23rd, 2007 at 6:18 pm
Kristie, it’s a shame your daughter had such a bad experience, that’s my fear over such young children being allowed to audition.
Tom, It’s good advice, if you want to be a pro singer and enjoy a long career, The X-Factor probably isn’t the way to go.
April 30th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Funny you should say that Tom.My experience echoed exactly what she went through.I went to the audition as I knew I could sing and had everyone saying..’God you should audition..etc’ even strangers alike.
Well I applied and had my audition today in Birmingham NEC.It was supposed to be between 9-12noon.I got there 8.40 and eventually had the audition about 11.45.I was taken to a small room.My partner wasn’t allowed to attend.In there was one man at a table by himself a so-called producer.Anyway I was gonna sing ‘Baby Now That I found You’ by the foundations and if you know it ,it starts with the chorus.Well he was looking down reading a sheet of paper and didnt have the grace to even look up,so I waited til he finally did and said shall I start.
I sang the chorus and he looked down then up at me again and I could see he was visibly shocked because I think he thought I was going to be awful and wasn’t.
When I stopped I asked him ‘Was that enough?’ and he then said ,’Yes,Not this time I’m afraid.’His reply was very quick and,again no feedback or reason given.And he looked nervous like he knew I’d know something wasn’t right.He was right I did.
My conclusion.Filter out any serious competition.Put through entertaining no hopers or singers who havent a chance of displacing the pre-arranged winner.
And also like mentioned before I saw others who were definite YES’s get put down when they shouldnt have.I asked girl outside with checklist and out of 40 people who went in only 2 were accepted.Whats really going on here?
And before I get told it’s sour grapes I say this.Go to website SINGSNAP.COM.Look for a member called WILSON.Thats me.Nearly 300 songs and I’ll put my money where my mouth is.Afterall I prepared to back up my words with proof.Someone ask why X-FACTOR doesnt have the first auditions with the option of being public so we can all see what level of talent is rejected.
I have always found Simon Cowell to be honest and told it as it is but at this first level without him its pot luck from the flip a coin decision of some right cowboys.