“X-Factor” Auditions (Video)

Video by Carlos Miller

“X Factor,” Simon Cowell’s solo answer to “American Idol,” came to Miami this week to see if our city could provide the music industry’s next big thing. Crowds started lining up as early as 6 a.m. outside the University of Miami’s Bank United Center in Coral Gables to get a shot at $5 million and a recording contract. Unlike “Idol,” “X-Factor” is open to not only younger solo artists, but also singing groups, children and older folks. Which, not surprisingly, brought with it a very eclectic crowd.

NOT EVEN A SEASONED BS-ER CAN GET US IN

Unfortunately, we could not get inside the BUC to get any footage of people trying out. Though we tried Carlos Miller’s patented bullshiting your way in method, as it was no media were allowed inside the building. Apparently Fox doesn’t want any unauthorized sneak previews of the always-hilarious audition process. Similarly, the contestants who were chosen to advance on to the next round were not allowed to do any interviews after their auditions. So who did that leave MiamiBeach411.com to interview? The ones who were not selected.

REJECTION AT THE STAGE DOOR

So on an unseasonably oppressively humid Thursday afternoon, we waited outside the side exit of the Bank United Center like a couple of very unattractive groupies. And let me tell you, people who have just traveled hours – and in some cases days – to audition and are told ”no” in a matter of seconds are not always eager to sing again on camera. So, like very unattractive groupies, we found ourselves rejected over and over again.

But some folks were nice. We heard this big black guy from West Palm (who’d walked an hour to the Tri-Rail, then taken that to the Metrorail to UM) singing Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.” He was happy to be on camera. We found an opera singer from Virginia who had come here rather than New York to audition because it was warmer. We found a Christian teenager with a guitar, a girl who went by Kid Cadet from Aventura, a guy who came to help earthquake victims and a tall man in black singing Johnny Cash. Check out all of them in the video up top.

MAYBE I CAN DO THIS….MAYBE NOT

Though nobody we talked to will be on “X-Factor,” they were still an eccentric cross section of people one can only find at something like a reality show mass audition. It was hard to tell how real people felt their chances were, but there was certainly some talent that did not make it through.  And after watching some of them, it makes you think “Gee, I shoulda auditioned for this. I could make it.” Then you realize that involves standing out in this humidity from 6 a.m. on. And then you realize it’s actually a lot more fun just to come and watch.

Related Links: • Acting in Miami: “CSI” Casting Director Ellen Jacoby’s Inside Perspective • Miami Casting Directors • Miami Talent and Modeling Agents Related Categories: Miami: Local News, About the Author: Matt Meltzer is a featured columnist at Miami Beach 411. See more articles by Matt Meltzer. See more articles by Matt Meltzer Was This Post Helpful? Please Share It With Others! Tweet

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"“X-Factor” Auditions (Video)"

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