‘The X Factor’ Week 2 Recap: The Judges Play Mean, More Talent Is Discovered

“The X Factor” wrapped up its audition rounds phase on Thursday night, pulling in some of the most original talent of the competition so far – both good and positively awful.

In the spirit of saving the best for last, we’ll run down the worst first, and that had to be the judges’ behavior.

Sure, Clarissa Cheatham, a 27-year-old office clerk, who goes by the nickname “Cashmere,” was awful as she gave a tone deaf rendition of “Always Be My Baby” by Mariah Carey, but Simon Cowell was worse. Clarissa’s smile faded when Simon, in front of thousands, couldn’t control his giggling as he told her, “Cashmere, when you said that people screamed after [you performed] karaoke, I don’t think that was a compliment,” giving the impression he was laughing at her.

More brutal than Clarissa having the wind taken out of her sails was L.A. Reid telling Emily, one-half of teenage “Glee”-esque group (think Rachel and Kurt) Ausem, that only her partner Austin was a star. “No disrespect,” L.A. began as Emily’s face dropped, “but I’m not convinced of the duo.” Luckily, Simon lobbied for them, and they got through.

As for the good stuff, there was plenty, beginning with a pint-sized teen with a heck of a lot of attitude – Brian Bradley.

The little man, just 14, hit the stage, demanding in his rap that the listener, “stop looking at my mom!” “You are arrogant, obnoxious, argumentative, but you are one of the most talented young people I’ve heard in a long, long time,” Simon said. L.A., however, had much, much loftier praise. “I used to run this label called Def Jam, and all the years that I was there… I was looking for you and you never walked in, so I’m the luckiest guy in the world that you walked into my life today,” he said.

Tora Woloshin, 21, hit the stage looking like a blend of Lady Gaga and Kat Von D, but when she opened her mouth to sing – The Jackson Five’s “I Want You Back” – she rocked the number out with a rock grit to her big, poppy voice. “There’s something about you, the minute you walk out,” Simon raved. “That’s why this show is called ‘The X Factor’ – it’s more than just a voice, it’s something else and I think you could be really special.”

Pretty-on-the-eyes Brennin Hunt, 26, from Nashville, Tenn., looked like a model, but he wasn’t just a pretty face, performing an original song – “How We Make It” – and easily sailing through the judges’ vote.

Jazzlyn Little was petrified when she hit the stage, and could barely respond when Simon asked her simple questions like her age – 16 – but when the music came on (Mary J. Blige’s “I’m Going Down”), she was nowhere close to a shy little girl. Paula Abdul and Nicole hugged each other in disbelief and L.A. wondered aloud where her big sound came from.

With the auditions over, “The X Factor” will return with its boot camp round next Wednesday at 8/7 C on FOX.

Copyright © 2024 by NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Read More

‘90 Day Fiancé: Love In Paradise’ Returning With Dramatic & Wild New Season