'The X Factor' visits L.A., finds some kooky characters
They came. They sang (some even danced). They had burritos.
An estimated 15,000 people filled the L.A. Sports Arena parking lot early Sunday morning -- 5 a.m.-ish early ... even with the rain -- for the first round of auditions for Fox's new singing competition series, "The X Factor."
The show will mark the return of "American Idol" star judge, Simon Cowell. At stake is a $5-million recording contract with Sony, and those in attendance were pulling out all the stops so that they might find themselves competing for all that dough when the show premieres in the fall.
Sure, it was chilly and there were puddles of water on the asphalt, but those were minor setbacks! Plus, it helped that there were vendors making the rounds with burritos, cotton candy and hot chocolate (all sure-fire ways to soothe vocal cords)
Click through our gallery to get a glimpse at some of the hopefuls.
What do you think? See anyone with the "X Factor"?
-- Yvonne Villarreal
Twitter.com / villarrealy
Photo: "The X-Factor" hopefuls dance outside the Sports Arena before auditions in Los Angeles early Sunday morning. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times
This audition was a complete Joke! I was there and let me tell you. People were selling there wristbands and Tickets so they could audition. Thats how bad it got. The top section people said they weren't going to get to be heard, so were trying to be wristbands. They people were sneaking from other sections in with the ones going down. I know I saw the girl get in that was infront of me. It wasn't all what it was cracked up to be sadly. Tickets were going like hot cakes with in 3 hrs. After that it took an act of god.. to get one. One booth ran out so she was saying no to everyone. COMPLETE FAIL!
Posted by: Karen Austria | March 28, 2011 at 04:30 PM
2012 here i come
Posted by: deandria elizabeth walker | March 28, 2011 at 04:43 PM
I'm really looking forward to seeing what X Factor has to offer - Simon is responsible for signing a diverse array of talent that has achieved a great amount of success in recent years. I know auditions are still taking place in other cities, so everybody should tell their friends!
Posted by: Julie | April 04, 2011 at 05:11 AM