‘The X Factor’ USA: Contender Lillie McCloud actually Nicole McCloud, singer with long resume
How is this for a little bit of insight following tonight’s season 3 premiere of “The X Factor” USA? A pretty excellent bit of research courtesy of Mjsbigblog has turned up quite a bit about a 54-year old singer named Lillie McCloud who is clearly not as undiscovered as the show wanted you to believe.
Basically, Lillie’s real name is Nicole McCloud, and she had a slew of major dance hits over the course of the 1980s and 90s. One of them, entitled “Runnin’ Away,” even charted as high as #3 on the US dance chart in 1994. We’ve also got something that is far more scandalous than this: McCloud apparently performed the theme song for the Slovakian “Got Talent” show in 2010 called “Česko Slovensko má talent.” This franchise is a creation in part of Simon Cowell, even if he is not directly involved with every version of the show across the board. (McCloud, per Wikipedia, moved to Slovakia during the mid-2000s.)
In addition to all of this, we managed to find what we believe is the recording of the “Got Talent” theme below along with a mix for “Runnin’ Away.”
As for our perspective on all this, the first thing to know here is that you can’t blame Lillie for any of this. Producers wouldn’t put someone on TV without checking out their background, mostly because they don’t want too much egg on their faces. She had to have told them about her background in the industry, and like with some contestants lately (Sam Bailey on the UK series, Stacy Francis on the first season of the show), they decided not to show it. This almost does a disservice to the singer, given that it makes America feel like they were deceived in some way.
Personally, we don’t care at all if Lillie / Nicole had a history in the recording industry, given that you’re not going to find many 54-year olds this talented without them having a background in music in some shape or form. We just wish it was told to us, and the story was about a former singer trying to make her way back into music. The only thing that is somewhat problematic is that she was seemingly involved somewhat in the “Got Talent” franchise, which has direct connections to Cowell previously. That does not mean that he had any clue who she was when she auditioned, but you can still read it as a conflict of interest.
Does all of this information change your opinion of McCloud at all, or are you of the belief that with so many singing shows these days, it’s almost impossible to find that truly “undiscovered” talent over the age of 25? Click here if you want to read our full review of tonight’s premiere.
Photo: Fox
Victoria C. A.
September 12, 2013 @ 6:43 pm
There is SO much undiscovered talent out there … more than you can possibly imagine. Maybe you can get a press pass to see all of the immensely talented and UNDISCOVERED over 40 crowd that gets sent packing at the auditions. You should!
Kenneth Schreiber
September 12, 2013 @ 3:02 pm
There should be a new category on XFactor—“Seasoned Pro”—-Simon Cowell is such a phoney!!! Do they think viewers are stupid and wouldn’t find out about Lillie/Nicole McCloud?
reemghazaala
September 12, 2013 @ 12:08 pm
Hi .. no offense but I commented on the video first. I was looking for her video on the net and all this other stuff came up. One of the pages mentioned lillie and Nicole in the same page. Once I saw the resemblance on the cd I decided to Google nicole mccloud and all the info came up. U can see my comment on the first video posted before any blog put it up. Anyways she’s a great singer I think there are other shows that are not necessarily this one that she could have sang on. I believe xfactor is for amateurs but anyway glad we all got to see her song.
Nevergiveup
September 12, 2013 @ 8:50 am
Lille’s real name is Lillie! When I was very young (now 35) and she was trying to have a career her stage name was Nicole, and obviously it never truly took off. For more reasons then I care to share. This is why you have only just known of her. Those that discovered her long ago where not genuine they only used her. After that came my sister then brother and many family orientated set backs. I give thanks that she has this time a real opportunity to share her talent with the world! P.S. more research should have been done before posting. LOVE2U -Rayne McCloud Lillie daughter ;)
Babar Suhail
September 12, 2013 @ 10:58 am
She has a long list of singles and albums.
Shelly_Shell
September 12, 2013 @ 11:55 am
Either way sweetie…that’s a bad chick. And what God allows or ordains it His business because He’s sovereign.
The Diva
September 12, 2013 @ 4:44 am
I could care less…I know a slew of entertainers, who had nominal hits & nominations in the 90’s, who are struggling w/kids & don’t make more than $15 an hour in an office setting. Just because you got close to fame, at one time in your life, doesn’t mean the desire goes away or that you don’t deserve another chance to make it!
Chale
September 12, 2013 @ 1:33 pm
You are either slow or can’t read too well, she LIED, that’s what the fuzz is about, not about second chances.
Danielle
September 12, 2013 @ 5:26 pm
Technically she didn’t lie. The producers pick and choose what clips to show, we as the general public, have no idea what wasn’t aired. And I would disagree, the fuzz is partly beacuse people feel they were decieved (whether it’s her fault or the producers) and partly because she already had a first chance.