So X Factor is back this weekend and back with changes as usual! Once again, there has been a shake-up with the panel, gone is Tulisa (not surprisingly after her recent media coverage) and back is former judge Sharon Osbourne. However there has been much speculation due to the X Factor's twitter account on a 'fifth judge'. This has since been revealed as being an 'app' which the audience use to be 'judge', giving their opinions on contestants and predicting who will win.
They are also bringing back the original audition room, rather than the stage (which I prefer as people just showed off in front of the audience on the stage). This room can be seen in the video below and somewhat resembles the 'American Idol' audition room. There has also been speculation that viewers will now only get 200 seconds to vote after the performances are finished and whoever has the lowest votes will be competing for a place on the Sunday show.
Its also been revealed that this is going to be Louis' last year on the panel! Speculation is flying around as to who would replace the only judge who has been present in every series! I don't think it'll be as good if its just another pop star, Charlotte Church revealed recently that she was actually approached for the panel but 'politely declined'.
Past Winners
I actually think its a curse winning the show, and that to become successful you need to come any other place but the winner! There is too much pressure on the winners to become a success, so if the first song that's released isn't so catchy, they'll be stigmatised as unsuccessful. Many have been dropped from their record labels in the past and struggled to ever make a come back. Names such as Leon Jackson, Joe McElderry, Shayne Ward and Steve Brookstein are all examples of this.
2012: James Arthur
2011: Little Mix
2010: Matt Cardle
2009: Joe McElderry
2008: Alexandra Burke
2007: Leon Jackson
2006: Leona Lewis
2005: Shayne Ward
2004: Steve Brookstein
Successful Contestants
Some of the most successful contestants to come out of the X Factor are surprising ones and only a couple of them actual winners of the show. Look at Leona Lewis for example and then there's One Direction whose fame has soured worldwide.
JLS - Recently announced their split, JLS were very successful with many songs such as 'Everybody in Love' and 'She Makes Me Wanna'. They were the runners up in 2008 and at the time, there was a niche in the market for a boy band like this. Back then, there was no One Direction or The Wanted.
One Direction - One of the most successful, in fact, probably THE most successful. They've cracked America and have the biggest following.
Olly Murs - Though he didn't win, Olly Murs was a likeable character from the very start. His first single 'Dance With Me Tonight' was a catchy, successful hit and from then on, his career has gone from strength to strength, even recently duetting on a song with Flo Rida (even though he admitted they'd actually never met still!)
Cher Lloyd - Cher had minimal success over here, with just a couple of mediocre songs, but her biggest success is in the US. Performing with stars such as Taylor Swift and TI, (I bet Cheryl Cole is green with envy!) Cher has proved the critics wrong.
Jedward - Whether you love them or hate them, they are now millionaires!
Leona Lewis - Cracked the US when 'Bleeding Love' was released and has since won three grammys!
Little Mix - Every song they've brought out so far has been quite a success! (as well as some annoyingly catchy pop) Their latest was with Missy Elliott and Perrie has just got engaged to One Direction's Zayn! (congrats!).
Here's a little teaser of an audition in the new series...
