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Simon was “fashionably” late to the audition tapings in Dallas today. Well, according to L.A., Simon is “always late”! Paula said they’d start the tapings without him because’s “he has a tendency to be late” and “not even just fashionably late”. Simon arrived just after the second audtition and seemed quite pleased with himself while the crowd cheered. Here is more on the fun today from Digital Spy. Be sure to visit the link for the full story. Picture above from The Daily Mail.

“We are going to start without him,” Reid told the audience at the American Airlines Center. “We don’t want you to have to wait and he’s always late. This time we’re going to get rolling, Simon or no Simon!”

Abdul quipped: “I’ve waited 12 years to start without Simon! This is the first time in history this has ever happened. He has a tendency to be late – and not even just fashionably late!”

“Don’t worry about him – he’ll be just fine,” Cowell’s former American Idol co-star reassured fans, as Scherzinger added: “This is about the talent, and you guys, you are the more important.”

Cowell turned up shortly after, with one audience member telling Digital Spy: “Simon arrived after just two auditions in the middle of a 15-year-old boy’s song. The crowd immediately jumped to their feet cheering – the guy didn’t know if it was for him or not, then he saw Simon but like a true professional he kept on singing.”

As the crowd chanted his name, Abdul realized her co-star had arrived, announcing: “Elvis has entered the building.”

Cowell jokingly declared that his delayed arrival had been caused by a helicopter falling on his car, adding: “I had quite a hectic day. I’m very sorry.”

Another member of the crowd added: “Simon was clearly delighted to arrive in the middle of a fantastic audition too – and naturally took full credit for it being so great. There were no complaints from him when the audience went even more crazy to see him.”

Above are some fun pictures of all four judges arriving at the X Factor auditions in Dallas yesterday. If “fashion” is any indication of what’s to come with these four, I’d say a diverse mix in judging is what we’ll receive.

You can view more pictures of the judges arrivals to the Dallas auditions on the first day >>>>HERE.

Digital Spy is reporting that a refreshed X Factor USA presentation made at Fox upfronts has been released online. What’s more, early footage with axed judge Cheryl Cole hasn’t been edited out. She is still shown sitting alongside Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Antonio ‘L.A.’ Reid in the first couple of shows as hopefuls perform on stage for the panel. You can view the new official, refreshed version of X Factor Presentation below. It’s exciting and powerful stuff to say the least!

Dallas News is really covering the X Factor auditions well this week. It sounds like it was a mixed bag of the really bad and the really good yesterday. Simon Cowell (as always), was brutally honest. He told one contestant, “You gotta keep still. You’re making me feel sick.” But, there were “glowing reviews” as well. For example, Paula Abdul compared one singer to “a firefly. You just light up the room.” More in detail below and at the link. Also, be sure to check out the video above where the judges are each interviewed upon their arrivals.

“There won’t be a second song for you. I feel like we went through all four seasons with the first one.”

Yes, folks, Simon Cowell is back as a singing-competition judge, delivering barbs as only he can. He and his fellow panelists on The X Factor , — Nicole Scherzinger, L.A. Reid and a radiant, sharper-tongued Paula Abdul, — are in Dallas this week to film audition segments for the show, which debuts on Fox this fall.

And any rumblings that he’s a sweeter version of his American Idol self are false. Thankfully.

“OK, so this is very easy,” he told another hopeful at a taping at American Airlines Center on Tuesday. “It’s a no.”

As another singer chatted and nervously swayed onstage, Cowell interrupted him with, “You gotta keep still. You’re making me feel sick.”

But he wasn’t the only tell-it-like-it-is judge at the table. Taking her familiar spot at Cowell’s right, Abdul was surprisingly blunt at times. About one act, she said, “I just want them to sing right. That’s all I want.”

But a few glowing reviews were bestowed. Abdul compared one singer to “a firefly. You just light up the room.”

Before taping began, the judges walked the red carpet one at a time, greeting fans and signing autographs. Abdul hugged every little kid she spotted, while Cowell stuck his tongue out at one. (Turns out, she’d done it first. So there.)

During a quick one-on-one interview, Cowell said he disagrees with judges who say that they want to be nicer to contestants because they’ve been there and know what it’s like to be criticized harshly.

“I actually, genuinely, genuinely believe that the kindest person, not just on this show but on all shows, is me,” he said. “Because I’m the only truly honest person on all of these panels.”

As for being paired once again with his old Idol pal Abdul, Cowell said: “I’m glad I brought her on, because I don’t think the show would have been the same without her. It’s been long enough that we miss each other.”

Dallas seems to hold fond memories for the Brit, who thinks locals possess a certain energy.

“The people here are what I call in England ‘up for it,’ ” he explained. “They’ve kind of got their mojo, and I like that.

“We came back here because this is where we found Kelly,” he added. “This is where we started Idol, and now we’re back. I’m really happy to be here.”

Tapings continue today! Don’t forget you can follow LIVE tweets >>>>HERE to get some hints of what’s happening inside. Yesterday, they did a super job!

Above is Paula showing up for the X Factor auditions in Dallas, Texas today. We hope to have more coverage later or in the morning on today’s auditions. In the meantime, Caitlin Johnston, of the Dallas News, is on the scene at the American Airlines Center for the X Factor tapings. You can follow her LIVE tweets >>>>HERE to get some hints of what’s happening inside.

According to X Factor’s Official Twitter, the audience had “amazing energy” for the 2nd day and night of audition tapings at the BankCenter in Coral Gables, Florida. Some of the auditions must have been amazing. It’s said one of the auditions brought Nicole Scherzinger to tears. Simon is said to have said “Genius” too to one of them. There were also two standing ovations and the judges were brought to their feet. One of them was also described as being “spooky”.

Overall, TV Guide is calling this week’s tapings as being a showcase of the judges personalities. Paula Abdul remarked Simon has got a little softer. In fact, when the judges introduced themselves at the beginning of the auditions (Tuesday), Abdul sat on Cowell’s lap and said, “I’m in love with Simon.” Read more below on all of the judges and how they interacted.

But Cowell showed few signs of being a softie as contestants faced him at the BankUnited Center. It’s becoming apparent that music producer Reid joins Cowell as the harsh critics, while Scherzinger and Abdul are the kinder, gentler judges. Cowell and Reid were especially blunt to a young guy whose dream is to appear on Glee; they also likened one duo to karaoke singers.

Cowell also playfully poked fun at Scherzinger, who has easily stepped into the judge’s chair vacated by Cheryl Cole. During the performance of a female quartet, the judges were trying to figure out who was the star of the foursome. Cowell explained that there has to be a star, and pointed to Scherzinger and her role in The Pussycat Dolls as an example.

“There has to be someone greedy in the group,” he said. “I wasn’t greedy,” Scherzinger responded. “It wasn’t about that.” Then Abdul broke in and mended fences: “She stole the limelight and that’s why she’s here on this panel.”

Below is a video of the judges entering the BankCenter last night. The energy of the audience is ‘indeed’ amazing.

And here is a sneak peek into one of the auditions.

So, now the judging panel travels to Dallas, Texas on June 21st and 22nd for the next audition tapings. If you live or are in the area, be sure to get your free tickets HERE.

It’s being reported by CBBC that Simon taught Nicole how to judge “really fast” when she had a hard time saying “No”. Nicole remarked that she’s been through the auditioning process before, so, she has a good idea on what the contestants are going through. Nicole also speaks of what she is looking for in a winner. More below and at the link.

“I can hopefully be of some service mentoring these contestants, coming from the same place.”

The judge revealed how she plans to keep contestants at ease: “I try to keep a big fat smile on my face so they feel like I’m there for them.”

On what she’s looking for in the winner: “I know the work that I’ve put into where I’ve got where I am today – my entire life – and how serious I’ve taken it and how hard I’ve worked. So I’m really looking for someone like that.”

WSVN in Miami is reporting how two people rocked the house last night at the Miami auditions….a 16 year-old and a 22 year-old. The live audience had a specific job to do. Read on it below as well as their thoughts on L.A. Reid who they are saying is “the meanest judge”. Wow, I’ve got to see this! Be sure to view a video at the link covering yesterday’s X factor auditions in full.

Nicole Scherzinger expects contestants put all of their energy and originality into their performances. “I’m hoping that they flipping bring it,” she said. “We only have a couple of cities left and I really want to be inspired.”

The X-Factor taped the first two of four audition rounds Tuesday, with selected contestants ranging from 12 years old and up. Male, female, groups and seniors all auditioned in front of a live audience.

People who attended auditions said South Florida represented. “There’s two people who rocked the house tonight,” said Denise Henay, “Jasmine, 16-year-old, and there was a 22-year-old, his name is Jeremiah.”

Another attendee agreed with Henay’s opinion. “I saw that little girl and I said, ‘This girl can sing,’” said Elvis Monge. “She opened that mouth, her name is Jasmine. People remember her name, Jasmine from Miami, she rocked the house.”

Before taping the auditions, some audience members suffered from heat exhaustion, thanks to record highs outside.

The live audience is considered the fifth judge, as audience members are encouraged to react to the auditions. “My God, it’s like the Roman Coliseum in there. They’re down, they’re up and they do it to us as well,” said Cowell. “I mean we get a hard time as well, if they disagree with us. They can turn on you, in other words my life is in danger.”

Audience members said that music mogul judge L.A. Reid is the meanest judge. “L.A. Reid was the meanest to me,” said Henay.

He disagrees. “No, I’m not mean at all. I’m a marshmallow. I don’t know, I’m far from mean.”

The Sun Sentinelalso reported on yesterday’s events at the BankCenter in Miami. Here is a take of what they said of some of the contestants and the judging. Much more at the link.

First up was a girl group in their twenties. Next came a 67-year-old condo performer from Parkland. A 13-year-old, whose goal is to be on “Glee,” followed.

(“The X Factor” requested no spoilers on names, who won the judges’ favor, and the songs that were sung, since the auditions will become a show in September.)

Simon is still Simon. “You sucked,” he told one delusional wannabe.

Another, who didn’t score well, asked what he could do to improve. “Sing in tune,” Simon retorted.

It looks like it’s going to be tough season to be a contestant. Reid, a successful record producer, can be just as caustic as Simon. A young man who said he was going to sing, “My Girl” was stopped short by Reid asking, “Anything from this century?”

He piled on after the performance. “I like you … I just don’t like your voice.”

Even Paula had her sharp moments. “You’re not at all at the level we’re looking for,” she told a deflated hopeful.

Scherzinger, a Pussycat Doll, seems to be fitting into the niche Paula used to occupy, the reassuring voice even when she’s not crazy about a performance.

View more pictures of yesterdays arrivals HERE!!!

Above is a picture of Nicole, La Reid, Paula, and Simon arriving at the BankUnited Center in Miami, Florida today (June 14th) for the first US X Factor tapings. At the time of this post, round one has finished. According to the X Factor Official twitter, Simon “has seen loads of people that he would like to work with.” At one point in the show, there was a dance battle between two girls in the audience who were said to be good. It’s also being reported Simon and the crowd absolutely loved one contestant and the crowd gave them a standing ovation….the first of the day!!

Stay tuned! We hope to know more soon! The second round is being held this evening.

Sources for the pics above: X Factor Official Twitter , Celebrity Gossip

In an interview with Sky News in the UK yesterday, Simon commented that the departure of Cheryl Cole will be played out on the X Factor shows this Fall. He said, “It’s reality TV. There’s no point in lying about it. It is what it is.” He explains even more in the video below.

I know it’s pathetic, but, this will probably make good drama for the show.