‘The X Factor’ USA: Simon Cowell lowers prize, touts Fifth Harmony success at TCA
While Simon Cowell was not exactly talking at TCA when it came to the recent news that he was expecting a child was his friend’s wife Lauren Silverman (saying that he wants to respect the privacy and “feelings” of everyone involved for the time), he was a little bit more open when it comes to one other subject of conversation: The show that actually is earning him a paycheck in America right now in the American version of “The X Factor.”
One of the biggest headlines of his entire panel (which included in part his fellow judge Demi Lovato) was hearing the news that the show no longer had the massive / ridiculous “$5 million recording contract” at its disposal. Instead, the plan now is for the winner of the show to receive money, but something that was not so great of a financial investment:
“We got to a point where it was almost too much. We want artists to be artists. The prize is now $1 million, and they still get a Sony recording contract.”
Now, we do have to believe that had Melanie Amaro or Tate Stevens turned out to be something more of a major success, we would be seeing them keeping that prize money going. However, neither has made an impact when it comes to record sales, and that is enough to make us believe that there is a certain amount of protection in here for the show, as well.
Simon also touted the chart success of Fifth Harmony when explaining why it was important for a show to find stars, and disagreed with Adam Levine of “The Voice,” who said that this is not necessarily the obligation of the show:
“No show can survive without that. You’re making a promise to the contestants that you’re going to turn them into a real-life artist. Otherwise it’s a game show. This is the most serious thing that i do.”
What do you think about some of these comments, and are you excited to see what season 3 brings? If you want to read some more news about Cowell’s current baby situation, just be sure to head on over to the link here.
Photo: Fox
PinkDoubled310
August 9, 2013 @ 12:53 pm
Despite all of the hype surrounding X Factor, it has proven to be a big disappointment. When neither of the previous winners has done much of anything from a musical standpoint since they won, makes you wonder. I personally felt that the wrong person won the past two seasons. It wasn’t because they were not talented, it was because they were not marketable. It’s no secret in the music industry, that one does not succeed on vocal ability alone. So far, I have heard a song on the radio by Chris Rene (I still say he should have won season 1), and Emblem 3. Emblem 3 were not my favorites from season 2, but I have to admit that they had enormous marketability. Same with Chris Rene. Chris had talent, a unique vibe with his music and a feel good story. For me, Chris is the one that X Factor let get away. I personally thought Carly was the best from Season 2. Again, with Carly, an amazing talent and so young, X Factor could have been the start of something huge with Carly and yet she too gets away. Simon knows the music business inside and out and he is usually spot on with things, however, so far he’s missed the monumental potential of 2 amazing singers and this surprises me. I’m thinking maybe he should run fast back to idol and get back that instinct he apparently left there.
Happy Bday Keaton
August 2, 2013 @ 10:22 pm
didnt fifth harmony drop out of the billboards after like a week
Luner45
August 3, 2013 @ 5:50 am
And didn’t E3 spent multiple weeks trying to reach hot 100??, only getting to #98 whereas 5H was #85 when they first debuted. Plus 5H were the first X factor USA act to debut on BB hot 100, so they will go down in history. Jealous much??
Happy Bday Keaton
August 3, 2013 @ 4:27 pm
I was asking a question based on a rumour I heard…..answer it or don’t answer it! Just don’t get all rude. And you guys wonder why other fandoms stay away from you.
Happy Bday Keaton
August 2, 2013 @ 10:21 pm
lol i dont think tca means the teen choice awards
Emmy
August 2, 2013 @ 3:54 am
Enough of the Simon Cowell-butt-kissing. The only thing this man is interested in is making money as quickly as possible. He doesn’t care about artistry or longevity, he wants the big bucks and the fame. Look at how he destroyed Emblem3 with a mediocre debut album that sucked the life and raw energy out of their original selves. Fifth Harmony really isn’t going anywhere because I’m detecting some friction within that group. I honestly feel like there’s something very off in the relationship and that some girls may be starting not to like each other or this experience. Body language says a lot. Their debut single was generic and mediocre. Simon has a reputation of dropping his acts very quickly if he thinks they don’t sell. I hope Carly Rose escapes the clutches of SyCo. They have no interest in producing artists, they want money. Look at the shameless exploitation of One Direction and their image! a makeup line? A ridiculous amount of tour dates that would drive a normal person insane? Simon disgusts me and I no longer see in him what saw when he was on American Idol. This is why the music industry is in shambles.
Luner45
August 2, 2013 @ 3:26 am
This is a good idea. TBH I’m glad they’re not wasting 5 Million anymore, and @e3814b2092400c877453ceb308d4077d:disqus I disagree with you on Fifth Harmony, they are the ones taking the first big steps and being the first to make it on Billboard is the start of something new. Soon other Groups/Artists from future seasons of X factor will follow their footsteps too and it will be easier for the future acts. The X factor uk has been on for around 10 years so someone has already paved the way for X factor uk acts to be successful, that hasn’t happen yet in the US, Till now. However the winners of the X factor, that remains uncertain especially since Melanie hasn’t released her album yet which is so sad. I hope the season 3 winner will be the first to accomplish stardom, like Little Mix & Leona Lewis. :)
Ben
August 2, 2013 @ 2:32 am
Why would you want to give a $5million recording contract when 90% of the time the winner is the biggest flop from the series? Two seasons and two flop winners and there goes $10million down the drain lol. Also I wouldn’t say 5th Harmony has had ‘success’ on the charts as of yet. Yes they were the first x factor usa act to debut on billboard but at 85 is less than impressive. And this is in their home country where x factor uk alumni have done much better. Even Cassadee Pope managed to get in the top 40 and Danielle Bradberry to 58 being country artists which is a lot harder than pop.
munchkinz
August 2, 2013 @ 2:55 am
It’s FIFTH harmony firstly. Secondly, they are working hard and gaining footing. It’s not fair to say that it’s not impressive because this girls had nothing and a small fan base that grew over time. And as you say country has the most support plus cassadee pope was already an artist with legit fans before she joined the voice. So yea it wouldn’t be fair to judge them on equal grounds with fifth harmony. And finally, even though the charts don’t reflect success, they are still hot selling on itunes WORLDWIDE. To focus on just USA would be dumb.
Happy Bday Keaton
August 2, 2013 @ 10:05 pm
lol they dropped from itunes top100 in 2 weeks and arent even in top 200
Mandy Beed
August 8, 2013 @ 10:50 am
How about you stop lying? Fifth Harmony is currently 68 on US Itunes. If you want to argue, at least get your facts straight?? Ahead of Danielle Bradberry and Cassidee Pope btw
tello
August 2, 2013 @ 11:06 am
First of all you are comparing artists from The Voice with X Factor artists which is wrong. The Voice contestants get their votes through itunes and thats’s why when they release music it sells a lot its first week. In terms of longetivy though, Fifth Harmony is way better positioned. Their fanbase is growing everyday and their single debuted and 85 but is far from peaked. The TV promo they have lined up is massive. Just to name a few: America’s Got Talent, X Factor USA, and Ellen. Also, they will be touring the rest of the year building their fanbase up including a tour with Cher Lloyd in September and a possible tour with Demi at the start of next year. All of this doesn’t even include the fact that their song is still just starting on radio and will go on to reach into the 20’s at least in airplay. They already have the 2 biggest stations playing it with Z100 and KIIS FM, not to mention other Top 20 stations like Q102, 997 Now, Hot 99.5, 104.7 Kiss FM, Y100, etc. They are also featured on the Disney Channel a lot. With time, they clearly have the best chance at stardom. They are still starting out but the other songs on their album sound amazing!
FTaylor
August 2, 2013 @ 8:16 pm
Key word there is “promo”, but it needs to be “demand”. It took GangnamStyle 2 months, without much promo…point is, if a song and it’s artist are going to blow, they’re going to blow, and it doesn’t take a massive amount of promo, that’s just reality, especially in this internet age. I can’t imagine their label is too happy with the Billboard debut and sales, especially after pushing back the single release for that very reason. Simon on the other hand, is just looking for something to give his show credibility, but until someone goes platinum or even gold, he’s just grasping at straws, cause at the end of the day that’s all that matters.
BBJ
August 2, 2013 @ 5:46 pm
I’d disagree and say it is easier to chart on the Country chart than on the Pop charts. Cracking into the Billboard considering they were the underdogs on X Factor is pretty impressive. They are just starting to expand their fan base. Syco has done a good job with the girls and building them slowly rather than rushing their album and putting it out like Emblem 3. I predict Fifth Harmony will become the female response to One Direction within the next year or so. They’ve only just begun.