Welcome to Pure X Factor

Thanks to The Wall Street Journal, here is a X Factor promotional picture of the 4 judges and host Steve Jones. What do you think of it? I think it depicts all of them and their personalities quite well.

Below is some fun footage of what Simon and the judges thought about making their first promo for the show. You can see some behind the scenes footage as well. This is too cute!! You can also see some images behind the scenes here.

The Wall Street Journal has a great new article up about Simon Cowell and the X Factor. It’s quoted that each episode of the new US X Factor is going to cost him $3.5 million. Simon has recently said, “This [show] better bloody work or I am in huge trouble.’” The take below writes about how it’s time for Simon to be judged and how the X Factor is his baby. The stakes are definitely high and he’s putting everything into it. Be sure to read the link for the full story which outlines more on Simon’s career and how he has made it this far. The link has some cool pictures to view too.

“This is exactly what would’ve happened on ‘Idol,’ ” Mr. Cowell said just before shooting the promo. “I’ll get killed for saying this, but so many shows on TV all look the same. ‘Voices need to be heard,’ blah, blah, blah.”

Mr. Cowell’s vision is brash, campy and conflict-driven, featuring lavish, concert-style live auditions across the country. As usual, he will not sugarcoat his appraisals of contestants. Last month, in front of a live audience of more than 4,000 people, he told a group of 12-year-old girls that their voices sounded like cats being run over on the freeway.

Now, it is Mr. Cowell’s turn to be judged. He didn’t own “American Idol” and had only limited creative control. “The X Factor” is his baby, and it closely tracks his personality— equal parts charm, drive and unapologetic nastiness. A $5 million recording contract with Sony Music is the grand prize. Other major sponsors include Pepsi and Chevrolet, whose rivals (Coke and Ford) enjoy a similar relationship with “Idol.”

The stakes are high for all concerned: The series, premiering on Wednesdays and Thursdays in September, is shaping up to be the most expensive reality show ever, at just under $3.5 million per episode, according to Mr. Cowell’s reckoning. (Other estimates put the budget closer to $2.5 million.)

Would you believe enteraintainment betting sources in Las Vegas are already placing their bets for who will win the US version of the X Factor? Currently, odds makers are saying the winner will be a man under age 25. More below and at the link from Sportsbook Gurus.

The first season of American X Factor is set to premier this fall on the FOX network and already fans are talking about the talent we are expected to see in the first season. Online sportsbooks are already offering entertainment betting odds on who will win this season of the American X Factor. Not yet knowing who the contestants are at this point makes it difficult to predict who the winner will be. Odds makers know how popular reality television can be and are sure to follow this series from start to finish.

To win American X Factor 2011:

Boys under 25 +125
Girls under 25 +250
Individuals over 25 +250
Groups +425

This is only the beginning. Stay tuned! We will be keeping a close track to all of the gambling sources out there because it’s fun to see how close or far away they are in their hunches and predictions. Sometimes they seem to know more on the outcome than a person would think?

Paula Abdul was seen shopping on Rodeo Drive yesterday in Beverly Hills, CA looking cuter than ever in tight jeans, a beige leather coat, a crocodile purse, and a pair of high stilettos. The Daily Mail is reporting she was picking up some “fancy designer threads”. You can view more pics of her at the link. She looks incredible!

Last night, Nicole Scherzinger was musical guest on “So You Think You Can Dance”. Before the top 10 contestants of the dancing show were announced, the new US X Factor judge showed off her new single “Right There”. Here she is on all of glory singing and dancing with the best of them. I love this single!

Will the US X Factor will be as big as American Idol? Busta Rhymes sure thinks so!! He calls Simon Cowell a “marketing genius”. More in a take below from This Is London.

Hip hop super star Busta Rhymes thinks the American X Factor will be as big as American Idol.

The platinum selling artist thinks Simon Cowell is a marketing genius and said: “Simon is a great guy and all the campaigning gives people a real chance to make a difference.”

I think Busta has hit it dead on. You can read more on Busta and his current music projects at the link.