"The X Factor": A Retrospective

"The X Factor": A Retrospective

: Published on Friday, December 07 2012; Written by Raffy Ermac

It’s no secret. “The X Factor” is a bona fide GLOBAL PHENOMENON. It seems like every country has their own version of the hugely successful reality singing competition that has launched the careers of so many people; a short list of stars including One Direction, Cher Lloyd, Olly Murs, and Leona Lewis, just to name a few.

The brain child of the Godfather of Reality Talent Shows, Simon Cowell, “The X Factor” started in the U.K. in 2004 as a way for regular people whose dream it is to become the next big thing to showcase why they have the chops to become singers, and the next big thing in music.

Although there have been many line-up changes since the British version’s inception, some of the most well-known stars to have judged on the panel include Sharon Osbourne, Kelly Rowland, Nicole Scherzinger, and the U.K.’s Queen of Pop Cheryl Cole; the show was a perfect way to promote her solo career, which is one of the most successful in the world of pop music right now.

“The X Factor” made its way to the States back in 2011, with the same response as its original British counterpart. Currently in its second season here in the U.S., the superstar line-up of celebrity judges include L.A. Reid, pop’s teen queen Demi Lovato, and one of, if not the biggest singers in the world, Britney Spears.

Besides the judges who frequent “The X Factor”, there is also a slew of regular performers who grace the stage season after season. On all versions, anyone who is anyone has performed on “The X Factor” stage, including, but not limited to, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, and, most recently, Ke$ha on the Australian telecast.

And now, the U.S. version is chock-full of some really amazing talent, including the much buzzed about groups Emblem3 and Fifth Harmony.

Both the U.S. and U.K. versions are winding down to the finals soon, so make sure to tune your TVs in to what is surely the biggest talent show to have ever graced the world of pop culture!

In the meantime, you can catch up with all the latest and greatest with the American version of "The X Factor" by subscribing to YH's YouTube channel! Check out our latest offering with the boys of Emblem3, below!