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The X Factor made its series premiere in the United States today and we’re covering the events live!

The show will award a $5 million recording contract with Sony. Hosting the show is Steve Jones and the judges are Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid, Cheryl Cole and Paula Abdul. Where’s Nicole Scherzinger?!?

Rachel Crow is up first to the auditions. She’s 13-years-old and really wants to be a singer and she’s nervous! She’s singing Mercy by Duffy. She sounds okay, but a tad flat. The crowd loves her. Paula loves her performance and said she delivered the goods. Cheryl said she had her before she sang. L.A. Reid said she’s feisty, soulful and she has it all. Simon said she’s the reason why they lowered the age limit for the show. All of the judges gave her a “yes”.

Up next is Terrell Carter and he sounds okay, but not wonderful. Four yes’es from the judges! Ellona Santiago sang her heart out and got four positive responses from the judges. John Lindahl sang Forget You be Cee Lo Green and he wasn’t too bad. Four positive responses!

Next up, is Siameze Floyd and he’s definitely got some kind of style going on. AWFUL. He can hold a note. Cheryl said she doesn’t know if it’s just weird. Simon said it was poppy jazz, but it was fascinating. Paula said he gave that energy, but it wasn’t enough. L.A. said no, Cheryl said yes, Paula said yes and Simon said yes, even though he’s talented but deluded. Ugh.

Dan and Venita are up next to auditions. They’re singing Unchained Melody and while they’re a cute and funny couple, they sing like they belong in a senior center. Terrible, but cute. L.A. looks like something awful invaded the stage. Simon said it was terrifying. Paula said no, Cheryl agreed, Simon said they’re adorable, but the answer is no.

Two young girls called You Only Live Once just performed and one is singing and the other is literally screeching. Simon said the girl swallowed poison. Four NOs! Jessa is performing next and she was super terrible. PASS. Next. Miranda Singleton is up next and she couldn’t carry a tune if she had a bucket. Four Nos and especially because her attitude sucked.

Auditioning next is Simone Battle and she just wants to sing and be a pop icon. She’s singing When I Grow Up by The Pussycat Dolls. She doesn’t sound bad, but I’m not impressed. Simon said she’s fearless and ambitious. Cheryl enjoyed it and said she has potential. L.A. said he disagrees. She sang another song, and this one is a little better. Simon asked L.A. if he stands by his previous comments and he does. Cheryl said yes, Simon agreed, Paula said shes is fierce and the answer is yes.

Simon and L.A. are already feuding. They seem to be getting on each other’s nerves already. Too funny. Stacy Francis is up next for the audition and she’s nervous and scared, because she’s always been told that she’s too old. She’s singing Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin. This woman has a voice and the judges and audience seems to agree. Standing ovation from the judges and the crowd. Kudos to her. L.A. said she raised the hair on his arms and she’s got what it takes. Paula said opportunities like this come once in a lifetime. Cheryl said she was blown away and she just won. Simon said that it was one of the best auditions he’s heard in his life. “Loved it, loved it, loved it”. All of the judges gave her a “yes!”

Now that they’ve taken the auditions to Seattle, they’ve replaced Cheryl Cole with Nicole Scherzinger. First up is Geo Godley, singing a song that he wrote. He is truly awful. The guy really just pulled his pants down. WTF?!? AND HE’S NOT DONE. Paula walked away from the judge’s table after being so disgusted. Everyone is grossed out.

Marcus Canty is up next, singing I Wish by Stevie Wonder. Everyone is dancing along with the music. He’s not bad at all. L.A. said he’s unique and he’s got that Bobby Brown thing. Nicole said he’s what they’ve been waiting for. Paula said he’s fresh and adorable. Simon said this was one of those songs that people shouldn’t sing, but he pulled it off. Four yes votes from the judges.

Next up for the auditions is a boy band called The Anser. The serenaded Nicole for her birthday. They’re singing Rolling In The Deep by Adele, but they’re putting their own spin on it. Everyone loved it. L.A. said it felt good and the answer is yes. Nicole said they are fabulous and her answer is yes. Paula said they are honored to have them. Simon said that’s four yes’s.

Nici Collins is up next in the auditions and she’s singing something that is just plain awful. TERRIBLE. It turns out that the song is actually Emotions by Mariah Carey, but she butchered it something awful. She got four NOs. Up next are mother/daughter team T For Two, singing some Stevie Wonder. Terrible.

Darren Michaels is up next, singing Madonna’s song, Like A Virgin. Simon said he’s living in some sort of nightmare. Four NOs. Performing next is a group called The Sonnetts, singing what sounds like a funeral song. Four NOs again. Ha. Up next is Chris Rene, singing an original song called Young Homie. He’s pretty good and the song is inspirational. The judges are into it and the crowd loved it. Nicole said she’s tripping on him. Paula said he’s a bright light and he’s so talented. L.A. said that he is “the truth”. Simon said it’s his favorite feeling in the world when he sits in that chair and meets a star for the first time. Four yes votes.

More auditions tomorrow — stay tuned!

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