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Age Limit Lowered to 14
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A representative from The X Factor confirmed the age lowering to 14 to MailOnline saying: 'This is to allow a new generation of budding singers to audition for the series. Anyone under the age of 18 will need their parent or guardian's permission to apply and they will also need their parent or guardian to accompany them to their audition.'
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2596831/Simon-Cowell-lowers-age-limit-14-The-X-Factor-hopes-finding-younger-One-Direction.html
I don't think they should do that. Surely 16 is young enough? Realistically, a 14 year old isn't going to be a big star... It's too young. However, it does really seem that Simon is going to go all out to find someone to replicate the success of 1D. Maybe we'll see a big star this year.
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2596831/Simon-Cowell-lowers-age-limit-14-The-X-Factor-hopes-finding-younger-One-Direction.html
I don't think they should do that. Surely 16 is young enough? Realistically, a 14 year old isn't going to be a big star... It's too young. However, it does really seem that Simon is going to go all out to find someone to replicate the success of 1D. Maybe we'll see a big star this year.
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I remember hearing it was being upped to 18?
I think personally they should have the age the same as the school leavers age.
Education is important and if they get there GCSE's and the X-Factor does't work out at least they have the exams to get them either into the next level of education or into a job.
Yeah, it's 18
I think 16 is OK.
I know it sounds ridiculous... But an 18 year old may almost be too old for their first audition? If they're teen pop singers, these younger contestants are going to be targeted at young girls. So, after X Factor (assuming they do well) the 18 year old will be around 19 when their first single/album is out. There would then be a further year of working hard and trying to break the big time. By this time, once they've actually made it properly, they'd be around 20.
Don't get me wrong, of course it's incredibly young to be successful, but when you think about the 12 year old girls who are the main selling demographic... Suddenly 20 seems quite old in comparison. Look at 1D... Their success is linked to their ages, they were only 16 when they auditioned. Yes, they're now 20, but have had years (three?) of success under their belt, they're not only just making it.
I think if 1D were 20 when they had first made it, I don't think they would have been as successful.
This only applies to teen pop singers, as these are the ones who going to be targeted at the young girls. For other contestants, making it at 20 would be fantastic.
Another reason for me to not watch the next Series. >:(
Aaliyah signed with Jive when she was 12, became a huge star at 15. Beyoncé was in Destiny's Child for years and became a star at 16. Monica actually released her first album at 14, which has went 3x platinum in the US. None of them had breakdowns or anything.
IMO it depends on maturity. All of the above were very mature for 14/15/16 year olds.
Listen to this ;-) http://youtube.com/watch?v=rRwhm-B6yNI
Aaliyah isn't HUGE though, is she? Or is she? I've never even heard of her
I think 16 is fine. A 16 year old could easily be a massive success (JB and 1D were 16/17 when they first made it).
She died in 2001 at age 22
Seriously, Cowell likes to criticise and that's what viewers want as well; it was uncomfortable seeing them be mean to 18 (?) year old Abi last series and even Tamera, not to mention Misha B from a couple serieses back - and they want to put kids up for that? I'm not seeing it working.
Oh... That's awful
Aww it's ok!
Is this what viewers really want to see.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qckdu6JxQAo
Although Beatrice is only 13 at that time there is very little difference to a 14 year old in maturity wise.
I wonder if the show is struggling for numbers/talent or something? (re: applications they've already had)
In response to this...
I remember reading that the amount of applications has risen by 20% since last year. Apparently, the return of both Cheryl and Simon has lured people back into auditioning. I wonder if the ratings will see this same impact? Hopefully.
At least this way we will finally the lose the "Only 16" comment to "Only 14" lol.
I do worry for the young singers that plan on taking part in the show. Although younger people have made it in the music industry X Factor can be brutal.
Or how about that time on series one Rachel Crow collapsed to the floor after being eliminated with cries of 'mummaaa you promised meeeee'.
Yes we know the americans are slightly more over dramatic, but 14 is still ridiculous.
Why simon has this obsession with finding a child star I do not know