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trope is renamed Prefers Going Barefoot. Dewicking old name
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* DoesNotLikeShoes: First season Music/JustinBieber fangirl [[OnlyOneName Drew]] seemed to like to perform barefoot.
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Has Two Mommies is now a disambig. Dewicking
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* HasTwoMommies: Beatrice Miller of Season 2.
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* CrossOver: Season 1 contestant Astro is featured on a remixed version of British X Factor finalist Cher Lloyd's single "Want U Back". Astro was ironically not on the American version of the song.
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* CrossOver: Season 1 contestant Astro is featured on a remixed version of British X Factor finalist Cher Lloyd's Music/CherLloyd's single "Want U Back". Astro was ironically not on the American version of the song.
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* CausticCritic: Guess. Although, perhaps due to the mentoring process, compared to ''Series/AmericanIdol'' he seems almost [[TookALevelInKindness cuddly to the contestants]] and typically reserves his harshest criticisms for their mentors. Cheryl Cole was a borderline case of this prior to being forced off the show; while not as mean as Simon or even LA, she was decidedly snarkier than either Paula or Nicole. Meanwhile, emcee Steve Jones at times plays this for the contestants, but usually by accident.
-->'''Steve Jones''': ''(to eliminated girl group Lakoda Rayne)'' The dream is over.
-->'''Steve Jones''': ''(to eliminated girl group Lakoda Rayne)'' The dream is over.
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* TheMeanBrit: [[TropeCodifier Guess]]. Although, perhaps due to the mentoring process, compared to ''Series/AmericanIdol'' he seems almost [[TookALevelInKindness cuddly to the contestants]] and typically reserves his harshest criticisms for their mentors. Cheryl Cole was a borderline case of this prior to being forced off the show; while not as mean as Simon or even LA, she was decidedly snarkier than either Paula or Nicole. Meanwhile, emcee Steve Jones at times plays this for the contestants, but usually by accident.
-->'''Steve Jones''': ''(to eliminated girl group Lakoda Rayne)'' The dream is over.
-->'''Steve Jones''': ''(to eliminated girl group Lakoda Rayne)'' The dream is over.
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Positive Discrimination is no longer a trope
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* PositiveDiscrimination: Nicole voted The Stereo Hogzz off the show in favor of Lakoda Rayne ''purely'' because the former was an all-male group, and the latter was all-female. On top of that, she said after the show that she would always vote for a girl group over a boy (or mixed) group, irrespective of how well they actually performed. At the time, some praised her for sticking to her beliefs even though they may be controversial, but in retrospect many regard this as where things started to go horribly wrong for Nicole.
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** Season 3's runner-up, Jeff Gutt, also became an example, as he went on to join Music/StoneTemplePilots a few years later.
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* TheMeanBrit: [[TropeCodifier Guess]]. Although, perhaps due to the mentoring process, compared to ''Series/AmericanIdol'' he seems almost [[TookALevelInKindness cuddly to the contestants]] and typically reserves his harshest criticisms [[ScapegoatCreator for their mentors]]. Cheryl Cole was a borderline case of this prior to being forced off the show; while not as mean as Simon or even LA, she was decidedly snarkier than either Paula or Nicole. Meanwhile, emcee Steve Jones at times plays this for the contestants, but usually by accident.
to:
* TheMeanBrit: [[TropeCodifier Guess]]. Although, perhaps due to the mentoring process, compared to ''Series/AmericanIdol'' he seems almost [[TookALevelInKindness cuddly to the contestants]] and typically reserves his harshest criticisms [[ScapegoatCreator for their mentors]].mentors. Cheryl Cole was a borderline case of this prior to being forced off the show; while not as mean as Simon or even LA, she was decidedly snarkier than either Paula or Nicole. Meanwhile, emcee Steve Jones at times plays this for the contestants, but usually by accident.
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* Music/DemiLovato (2012-2013); Creator/{{Disney}} TeenIdol known for her starring roles in ''Film/CampRock'' and ''Series/SonnyWithAChance'', as well as her own career in music. Became a tabloid sensation in late 2010 [[CreatorBreakdown when she entered a rehab facility for various emotional and physical troubles]]; after making a full recovery, [[CareerResurrection she released a new album to great critical and commercial success]].
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* Music/DemiLovato (2012-2013); Creator/{{Disney}} TeenIdol known for her their starring roles in ''Film/CampRock'' and ''Series/SonnyWithAChance'', as well as her their own career in music. Became a tabloid sensation in late 2010 [[CreatorBreakdown when she they entered a rehab facility for various emotional and physical troubles]]; after making a full recovery, [[CareerResurrection she they released a new album to great critical and commercial success]].
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*** Cher herself appeared on Demi's single "Really Don't Care" which ended being her second hit.
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* TakeThat: To Demi Lovato after she told an unlucky auditionee that "it's not meant for everybody" he replied "That's why you use auto tune and I don't".
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* TakeThat: To Demi Lovato after she they told an unlucky auditionee that "it's not meant for everybody" he replied "That's why you use auto tune and I don't".
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The most successful contestants of the U.S. version have been chart topping girl group Music/FifthHarmony (who came in third place during the second season), boy band Emblem3 (who came in fourth place during the same season), Beatrice Miller (who was in ninth place during the same season) and Music/KaneBrown (audition for the third season and passed, but declined to be part of a band).
to:
The most successful contestants of the U.S. version have been chart topping girl group Music/FifthHarmony (who came in third place during the second season), boy band Emblem3 (who came in fourth place during the same season), Beatrice Miller (who was in ninth place during the same season) and Music/KaneBrown (audition (auditioned for the third season and passed, but declined to be part of a band).
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The most successful contestants of the U.S. version have been chart topping girl group Music/FifthHarmony (who came in third place during the second season), boy band Emblem3 (who came in fourth place during the same season) and Beatrice Miller (who was in ninth place during the same season).
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The most successful contestants of the U.S. version have been chart topping girl group Music/FifthHarmony (who came in third place during the second season), boy band Emblem3 (who came in fourth place during the same season) and season), Beatrice Miller (who was in ninth place during the same season).season) and Music/KaneBrown (audition for the third season and passed, but declined to be part of a band).
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[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/x_factor_us.jpg]]
%% [[caption-width-right:350:some caption text]]
%% [[caption-width-right:350:some caption text]]
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* Simon Cowell again (2011-2013)
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* Simon Cowell Creator/SimonCowell again (2011-2013)
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The most successful contestants of the U.S. version have been chart topping girl group Music/FifthHarmony (who came in third place during the second season) and Beatrice Miller (who was in ninth place during the same season).
to:
The most successful contestants of the U.S. version have been chart topping girl group Music/FifthHarmony (who came in third place during the second season), boy band Emblem3 (who came in fourth place during the same season) and Beatrice Miller (who was in ninth place during the same season).
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* Kelly Rowland (2013); Former member of Music/DestinysChild, who's since carved out a niche for herself aside from simply being known as {{Beyonce}}'s bandmate once upon a time. She served as a judge for the 2011 series of the show's UK counterpart, before being replaced by Nicole Scherzinger - who was a judge on this incarnation of the show herself.
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* Kelly Rowland (2013); Former member of Music/DestinysChild, who's since carved out a niche for herself aside from simply being known as {{Beyonce}}'s Music/{{Beyonce}}'s bandmate once upon a time. She served as a judge for the 2011 series of the show's UK counterpart, before being replaced by Nicole Scherzinger - who was a judge on this incarnation of the show herself.
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* BoltOfDivineRetribution: At season 2 during the auditions when a contestant was given a second chance to perform, loud thunder boomed during her lackluster performance of Music/WhitneyHouston's "I Have Nothing." Simon said there was a reason this happened. Needless to say, the contestant was voted down, and went into a ClusterFBomb afterwards.
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* PapaWolf: As much of a {{Jerkass}} he is, Simon looks over the category artists he's mentoring quite well compared to some other judges. He had a moment at Season 1 when Drew was eliminated, and Simon went to the stage to comfort her, stating that he has nothing to say to the other judges.
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Expy clean-up (see here: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=13983140170A37263400&page=1#5)
.
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* Antonio "LA" Reid (2011-2012); [[{{Expy}} black, bald, award-winning record producer]] willing to be harsher than Randy Jackson of ''Series/AmericanIdol'', and thus more likely to confront Simon directly. Also even ''more'' experienced in the music industry than Randy, making him a WorthyOpponent for Simon.
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* Antonio "LA" Reid (2011-2012); [[{{Expy}} black, bald, award-winning record producer]] producer willing to be harsher than Randy Jackson of ''Series/AmericanIdol'', and thus more likely to confront Simon directly. Also even ''more'' experienced in the music industry than Randy, making him a WorthyOpponent for Simon.
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* OlderThanTheyLook: Rachel Crow from the first season plays up a precocious, ShirleyTemple-like image, which is somewhat disconcerting because she was actually 13 years old when she auditioned.
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* OlderThanTheyLook: Rachel Crow from the first season plays up a precocious, ShirleyTemple-like Creator/ShirleyTemple-like image, which is somewhat disconcerting because she was actually 13 years old when she auditioned.
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* DeathIsCheap: As was tradition with ''Series/AmericanIdol'', all eliminees returned for an opening number in the final episode of the first season. Less traditionally, popular eliminees Drew, Astro and Marcus Canty were given duets with the surprise guest musicians (Music/JustinBieber, [[FiftyCent 50 Cent]] and Pitbull & Ne-Yo, respectively), while Rachel Crow emceed for one segue.
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* DeathIsCheap: As was tradition with ''Series/AmericanIdol'', all eliminees returned for an opening number in the final episode of the first season. Less traditionally, popular eliminees Drew, Astro and Marcus Canty were given duets with the surprise guest musicians (Music/JustinBieber, [[FiftyCent [[Music/FiftyCent 50 Cent]] and Pitbull & Ne-Yo, respectively), while Rachel Crow emceed for one segue.
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* Music/DemiLovato (2012-2013); Creator/{{Disney}} TeenIdol known for her starring roles in ''CampRock'' and ''Series/SonnyWithAChance'', as well as her own career in music. Became a tabloid sensation in late 2010 [[CreatorBreakdown when she entered a rehab facility for various emotional and physical troubles]]; after making a full recovery, [[CareerResurrection she released a new album to great critical and commercial success]].
to:
* Music/DemiLovato (2012-2013); Creator/{{Disney}} TeenIdol known for her starring roles in ''CampRock'' ''Film/CampRock'' and ''Series/SonnyWithAChance'', as well as her own career in music. Became a tabloid sensation in late 2010 [[CreatorBreakdown when she entered a rehab facility for various emotional and physical troubles]]; after making a full recovery, [[CareerResurrection she released a new album to great critical and commercial success]].
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* CloudCuckooLander: No, not Paula Abdul. At least, not by comparison to Nicole Scherzinger, whose grandiose praise often contains very mixed metaphors.
--> '''Simon Cowell''': I'm sitting in Nicole's chair so [[DeadpanSnarker I'm going to critique like Nicole]]. I believe in you. You believe in me. You transcend the universe. God is smiling on you. Life is a waterfall, and you are the ultimate rainbow.
** BritneySpears in the new series said a person sung like "She was in a dream" and has said some other intriguing critiques.
--> '''Simon Cowell''': I'm sitting in Nicole's chair so [[DeadpanSnarker I'm going to critique like Nicole]]. I believe in you. You believe in me. You transcend the universe. God is smiling on you. Life is a waterfall, and you are the ultimate rainbow.
** BritneySpears in the new series said a person sung like "She was in a dream" and has said some other intriguing critiques.
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* CloudCuckooLander: CloudCuckooLander:
** No, not Paula Abdul. At least, not by comparison to Nicole Scherzinger, whose grandiose praise often contains very mixed metaphors.
--> ---> '''Simon Cowell''': I'm sitting in Nicole's chair so [[DeadpanSnarker I'm going to critique like Nicole]]. I believe in you. You believe in me. You transcend the universe. God is smiling on you. Life is a waterfall, and you are the ultimate rainbow.
**BritneySpears Music/BritneySpears in the new series said a person sung like "She was in a dream" and has said some other intriguing critiques.
** No, not Paula Abdul. At least, not by comparison to Nicole Scherzinger, whose grandiose praise often contains very mixed metaphors.
**
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* TheRunnerUpTakesItAll: Tate Stevens went nowhere after his season finished, leaving Fifth Harmony and Emblem3 batting for supremacy. Then Emblem3's momentum came to a screeching halt and Fifth Harmony, much like a certain other five-piece formed specifically for the show and finishing in third, easily becoming its most successful alumni.
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* TheRunnerUpTakesItAll: Tate Stevens went nowhere after his season finished, leaving Fifth Harmony and Emblem3 batting for supremacy. Then Emblem3's momentum came to a screeching halt and Fifth Harmony, much like [[Music/OneDirection a certain other five-piece five-piece]] formed specifically for (the British version of) the show and finishing in third, easily becoming became its most successful alumni.
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* TechnicianVersusPerformer: On season 1, Melanie Amaro is a technically perfect pop belter, whereas 3rd place finisher Chris Rene may not have the best voice, but his simple message ("Love life!") and sincerity connect with the audience on a larger scale. Meanwhile, Josh Krajcik, who finished in 2nd is both a multi-talented composer/musician with a stunning set of pipes for blues and rock and also a relatable and extremely likable bloke (albeit decidedly not in a "prefabricated pop star" way - which is, like Rene, part of his charm). This was everything just short of [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] in the penultimate episode with the final three's duets with established pop stars. Amaro's partner was RKelly, whose personal life is... let's just say "off-putting"... but who is undeniably, even to his detractors, as competent a singer and songwriter as they come. Rene's was Music/AvrilLavigne, who has been lambasted and spoofed for her less-than-polished voice and often simplistic music, but who has maintained a career long since many of her "pop diva" contemporaries faded into nostalgia collection obscurity with her seemingly boundless energy and grungy charm. Whereas Krajcik's partner was Music/AlanisMorissette, who began her career, in the eyes of many, as a sort of poor man's Music/SherylCrow, Music/LizPhair or Music/CourtneyLove, due both to her slightly less conventional attractiveness and slightly more formulaic songwriting, but who has since established herself, in the words of judge Nicole Scherzinger, as "rock royalty," thanks to both her willingness to use her unique stage presence to her advantage and her nearly encyclopedic knowledge of music industry history and current events.
to:
* TechnicianVersusPerformer: On season 1, Melanie Amaro is a technically perfect pop belter, whereas 3rd place finisher Chris Rene may not have the best voice, but his simple message ("Love life!") and sincerity connect with the audience on a larger scale. Meanwhile, Josh Krajcik, who finished in 2nd is both a multi-talented composer/musician with a stunning set of pipes for blues and rock and also a relatable and extremely likable bloke (albeit decidedly not in a "prefabricated pop star" way - which is, like Rene, part of his charm). This was everything just short of [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] in the penultimate episode with the final three's duets with established pop stars. Amaro's partner was RKelly, Music/RKelly, whose personal life is... let's just say "off-putting"... but who is undeniably, even to his detractors, as competent a singer and songwriter as they come. Rene's was Music/AvrilLavigne, who has been lambasted and spoofed for her less-than-polished voice and often simplistic music, but who has maintained a career long since many of her "pop diva" contemporaries faded into nostalgia collection obscurity with her seemingly boundless energy and grungy charm. Whereas Krajcik's partner was Music/AlanisMorissette, who began her career, in the eyes of many, as a sort of poor man's Music/SherylCrow, Music/LizPhair or Music/CourtneyLove, due both to her slightly less conventional attractiveness and slightly more formulaic songwriting, but who has since established herself, in the words of judge Nicole Scherzinger, as "rock royalty," thanks to both her willingness to use her unique stage presence to her advantage and her nearly encyclopedic knowledge of music industry history and current events.
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The American version of the Series/TheXFactor, which started in September 2011, taking Cowell away from ''Series/AmericanIdol'', and [[NoodleIncident for a few weeks]], Cole from the UK X Factor. It ran for three seasons, before being cancelled due to mediocre ratings and Cowell deciding to return to the UK version.
The judges are:
* Simon Cowell again (2011-2013)
* Paula Abdul (2011); returning from ''Series/AmericanIdol'' to rekindle her on-screen chemistry with Simon and to add a note of sweetness to an otherwise snarky panel. [[note]]When Paula left the show, both she and Simon made it very clear that it had nothing to do with problems between them, and Simon even mentioned that he's working up another project he wants Paula for.[[/note]]
* Cheryl Cole (2011); borrowed from the UK version for a few episodes until she either quit or was fired to return to the UK version (and then, for whatever reason, did not return to the UK), replaced by would-be co-hostess Nicole Scherzinger.
* Antonio "LA" Reid (2011-2012); [[{{Expy}} black, bald, award-winning record producer]] willing to be harsher than Randy Jackson of ''Series/AmericanIdol'', and thus more likely to confront Simon directly. Also even ''more'' experienced in the music industry than Randy, making him a WorthyOpponent for Simon.
* Nicole Scherzinger (2011); TheAce from the UK series in her guest judging, initially hired as co-hostess but promoted to judge/mentor on Cole's departure early in the first season.
* Music/BritneySpears (2012); It's Britney, [[ThisIsForEmphasisBitch bitch]].
* Music/DemiLovato (2012-2013); Creator/{{Disney}} TeenIdol known for her starring roles in ''CampRock'' and ''Series/SonnyWithAChance'', as well as her own career in music. Became a tabloid sensation in late 2010 [[CreatorBreakdown when she entered a rehab facility for various emotional and physical troubles]]; after making a full recovery, [[CareerResurrection she released a new album to great critical and commercial success]].
* Kelly Rowland (2013); Former member of Music/DestinysChild, who's since carved out a niche for herself aside from simply being known as {{Beyonce}}'s bandmate once upon a time. She served as a judge for the 2011 series of the show's UK counterpart, before being replaced by Nicole Scherzinger - who was a judge on this incarnation of the show herself.
* Paulina Rubio (2013); Mexican pop star, commonly noted as being one of the most successful Latinas in the Spanish-speaking music industry.
Winners of the US version, their categories and their mentors:
* '''Season 1 (2011)''': Melanie Amaro, Girls, Simon Cowell
* '''Season 2 (2012)''': Tate Stevens, Over 25's, L.A. Reid
* '''Season 3 (2013)''': Alex & Sierra, Groups, Simon Cowell
The most successful contestants of the U.S. version have been chart topping girl group Music/FifthHarmony (who came in third place during the second season) and Beatrice Miller (who was in ninth place during the same season).
!!The American series contains examples of:
* CloudCuckooLander: No, not Paula Abdul. At least, not by comparison to Nicole Scherzinger, whose grandiose praise often contains very mixed metaphors.
--> '''Simon Cowell''': I'm sitting in Nicole's chair so [[DeadpanSnarker I'm going to critique like Nicole]]. I believe in you. You believe in me. You transcend the universe. God is smiling on you. Life is a waterfall, and you are the ultimate rainbow.
** BritneySpears in the new series said a person sung like "She was in a dream" and has said some other intriguing critiques.
* ClusterFBomb: [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlQstQzb4A8 Dylan Lawson's audition performance]] was basically a minute-long example of this trope. Granted, that was kinda to be expected since he chose to perform Lil Wayne's "Swag Surfin'," but Dylan certainly seemed very enthusiastic in his vulgarity.
* CringeComedy: In the final episode of the first season, trying to banter with Nicole Scherzinger, emcee Steve Jones asked her if he could come to her house for Christmas. Scherzinger twice said, "What?" forcing him to [[DiggingYourselfDeeper repeat the question]] before finally answering, "Yes. Yes. [[ByNoIMeanYes No.]]" The [[NoJustNoReaction already awkward moment]] was given [[StalkerWithACrush an added layer of creepy]] the next day, when Jones told reporters, if fired from the show, he would [[PrinceCharmingWannabe ask Scherzinger out on a date]].
* CrossOver: Season 1 contestant Astro is featured on a remixed version of British X Factor finalist Cher Lloyd's single "Want U Back". Astro was ironically not on the American version of the song.
*** Cher herself appeared on Demi's single "Really Don't Care" which ended being her second hit.
** Louis Walsh took a break from shooting the UK version to fill in for Simon during one round of auditions in Season 2.
* DeathIsCheap: As was tradition with ''Series/AmericanIdol'', all eliminees returned for an opening number in the final episode of the first season. Less traditionally, popular eliminees Drew, Astro and Marcus Canty were given duets with the surprise guest musicians (Music/JustinBieber, [[FiftyCent 50 Cent]] and Pitbull & Ne-Yo, respectively), while Rachel Crow emceed for one segue.
* DefrostingTheIceQueen: In season 2, Cece Frey toned down her bitchy attitude after Demi told her she was coming off as unlikable.
* DoesNotLikeShoes: First season Music/JustinBieber fangirl [[OnlyOneName Drew]] seemed to like to perform barefoot.
* EyepatchOfPower: Lyric Da Queen of Lyric 145 wears one, which is actually necessary for her; her left eye was already pretty messed up on its own, [[EyeScream and then somebody at a club elbowed it...]]
* FaceHeelTurn: While Nicole Scherzinger was quite popular and well-liked on the UK version, American audiences had a much different reaction to her as a judge. At first, they were lukewarm, but then she [[MoralEventHorizon voted to eliminate]] [[KickTheDog 14-year-old sweet Christian girl Drew]] [[ForcedToWatch just to punish Simon]] and [[DisproportionateRetribution received death threats]] afterward. The following week, she refused to vote against three-time bottom two member Marcus Canty, so as not to hurt his feelings, which caused the elimination of BadassAdorable Rachel Crow (and led to the HeartwarmingOrphan falling to the stage in tears and the [[TearJerker Crowning Moment Of Heartbreaking]] in which she begged her adoptive mother for forgiveness). From then until the final episode, fan opinion on Scherzinger [[BrokenBase was split]]. Some referred to her as a DirtyCoward, [[Creator/BillHicks whereas others insisted]] she was a monster.
* HasTwoMommies: Beatrice Miller of Season 2.
* IApprovedThisMessage: A FOX commercial calls Simon Cowell the "best judge ever" and has him stating "I'm Simon Cowell and I approved this message."
* ImNotHereToMakeFriends: Said almost word for word by Season 2 contestant, Cece Frey.
* InspirationallyDisadvantaged: Rion Paige from Season 3
* IsItAlwaysLikeThis: Similarly to Louis in the UK version, a frequent question from the US judges to Simon Cowell during the auditions phase.
* LogicBomb: When Nicole was making the decision that would ultimately lead to Rachel Crow's elimination, she said "I don't want to have to send you home Rachel... so the act that I'm gonna send home is Rachel."
* MaleFrontalNudity: Within the ''first'' episode, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOL7ORreNbQ Geo Godley]] sang about being a stud. Then he dropped his pants and showed off his ''ahem'', "other stud" in front of the entire audience. It was such an awful sight that it led Paula to become quite nauseated by it, having to RageQuit to the bathroom.
** He was wearing a thong, though that didn't stop people from leaving the auditions.
* TheMeanBrit: [[TropeCodifier Guess]]. Although, perhaps due to the mentoring process, compared to ''Series/AmericanIdol'' he seems almost [[TookALevelInKindness cuddly to the contestants]] and typically reserves his harshest criticisms [[ScapegoatCreator for their mentors]]. Cheryl Cole was a borderline case of this prior to being forced off the show; while not as mean as Simon or even LA, she was decidedly snarkier than either Paula or Nicole. Meanwhile, emcee Steve Jones at times plays this for the contestants, but usually by accident.
-->'''Steve Jones''': ''(to eliminated girl group Lakoda Rayne)'' The dream is over.
* MercyKill: Simon seems to have done this when he eliminated Beatrice Miller because he felt she couldn't handle the competition anymore
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: This occurred during the first season; Marcus Canty (who was in the bottom 2 for the third time) and Rachel Crow (who was seen as a frontrunner by many) were in the bottom 2, and the deciding vote went to Nicole Scherzinger. If she voted to eliminate Marcus, he would have gotten the boot. Nicole didn't want to do that, though, so she voted to eliminate Rachel, sending the vote to deadlock. The final result? [[TragicMistake Rachel has the lowest amount of votes from America and was sent home.]] [[BreakTheCutie Cue a now-very sad 13 year old girl]], sobbing while [[BigNo FALLING TO HER KNEES]], in front of millions of people. Nicole ([[ItsAllMyFault who was directly responsible for this happening]]), naturally grew inconsolable at what she had done and [[TearsOfRemorse began crying as well.]]
* MyGreatestSecondChance: Season 1 contestant, Arin Ray, returns to compete in Season 2, this time as a solo artist in Britney's Teen category.
** Season 3 had both Jeffrey Gutt (from Season 2) and James Kenney (from Season 1) return in the over 25's category, both making it past the audition stage.
* NauseaDissonance: The first act of one episode featured a flasher who got on stage just to expose himself to the judges. While 3 of them were totally fine, Paula went to the bathroom to vomit for about 15 minutes.
* NowBuyTheMerchandise: Played straight by Simone Battle during the first season. Just moments after being eliminated, Simone announced that her first music video was going to officially premiere the next day on Website/YouTube.
** Not to be outdone, The Stereo Hogzz also released their first music video within a day of their elimination, though they didn't announce it onscreen like Simone did.
* OlderThanTheyLook: Rachel Crow from the first season plays up a precocious, ShirleyTemple-like image, which is somewhat disconcerting because she was actually 13 years old when she auditioned.
* OnlyOneName: In the time between the Judge's houses and the live shows, first season finalist Drew Ryniewicz dropped her last name.
* OnlySaneMan: In the first episode of season 2, after wedding-dress/panty-clad Quatrele Da'an Smith auditioned, Britney, Demi, and SIMON all said yes, largely for the potential entertainment factor and the fact the he actually sang well. LA Reid, however, said no, and looked at the other judges like they were high after saying yes.
-->'''LA Reid''': "My fellow judges have gone mad..."
* PositiveDiscrimination: Nicole voted The Stereo Hogzz off the show in favor of Lakoda Rayne ''purely'' because the former was an all-male group, and the latter was all-female. On top of that, she said after the show that she would always vote for a girl group over a boy (or mixed) group, irrespective of how well they actually performed. At the time, some praised her for sticking to her beliefs even though they may be controversial, but in retrospect many regard this as where things started to go horribly wrong for Nicole.
* ReassignmentBackfire: The decision to replace Cheryl Cole with Nicole Scherzinger, if only because of the mess surrounding Rachel Crow's elimination. If, as many have speculated, Cheryl was [[SpringtimeForHitler deliberately set up]] to make a total ass of herself and get fired, then Nicole was supposed to come in and bowl US viewers over in the same way she had done in her brief UK stint, then it's an even worse case of this trope.
* ReTool: Steve Jones, Nicole Scherzinger, ''and'' Paula Abdul all parted ways with the show after its first season... ''on the same day''. Simon wasn't kidding when he said the show would undergo changes ahead of its second season.
** And ''then'', the show underwent another panel shakeup following Britney's and LA's respective departures; they were eventually replaced by former UK X Factor judge Kelly Rowland and Mexican pop star Paulina Rubio.
* RevolvingDoorCasting: The panel of judges (including the host(s), for that matter) has never stayed the same for multiple seasons.
* TheRunnerUpTakesItAll: Tate Stevens went nowhere after his season finished, leaving Fifth Harmony and Emblem3 batting for supremacy. Then Emblem3's momentum came to a screeching halt and Fifth Harmony, much like a certain other five-piece formed specifically for the show and finishing in third, easily becoming its most successful alumni.
* ScrewTheRulesIMakeThem: After initially eliminating Melanie, Simon decided that he would add a fifth member to his team. This proved fortunate, as she would go on to win.
* SurferDude: Emblem3's stylistic shtick.
* TakeThat: To Demi Lovato after she told an unlucky auditionee that "it's not meant for everybody" he replied "That's why you use auto tune and I don't".
* TechnicianVersusPerformer: On season 1, Melanie Amaro is a technically perfect pop belter, whereas 3rd place finisher Chris Rene may not have the best voice, but his simple message ("Love life!") and sincerity connect with the audience on a larger scale. Meanwhile, Josh Krajcik, who finished in 2nd is both a multi-talented composer/musician with a stunning set of pipes for blues and rock and also a relatable and extremely likable bloke (albeit decidedly not in a "prefabricated pop star" way - which is, like Rene, part of his charm). This was everything just short of [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] in the penultimate episode with the final three's duets with established pop stars. Amaro's partner was RKelly, whose personal life is... let's just say "off-putting"... but who is undeniably, even to his detractors, as competent a singer and songwriter as they come. Rene's was Music/AvrilLavigne, who has been lambasted and spoofed for her less-than-polished voice and often simplistic music, but who has maintained a career long since many of her "pop diva" contemporaries faded into nostalgia collection obscurity with her seemingly boundless energy and grungy charm. Whereas Krajcik's partner was Music/AlanisMorissette, who began her career, in the eyes of many, as a sort of poor man's Music/SherylCrow, Music/LizPhair or Music/CourtneyLove, due both to her slightly less conventional attractiveness and slightly more formulaic songwriting, but who has since established herself, in the words of judge Nicole Scherzinger, as "rock royalty," thanks to both her willingness to use her unique stage presence to her advantage and her nearly encyclopedic knowledge of music industry history and current events.
* TitleDrop: Astro
--> "WHEN YOU SAY X, I SAY FACTA!"
* TransatlanticEquivalent
* WalkingShirtlessScene: Drew Chadwick of Emblem3, though the group as a whole seems to like losing their shirts in general. Lampshaded by various contestants.
* WiseBeyondTheirYears: Carly Rose Sonenclar of Season 2 definitely comes across as this.
The judges are:
* Simon Cowell again (2011-2013)
* Paula Abdul (2011); returning from ''Series/AmericanIdol'' to rekindle her on-screen chemistry with Simon and to add a note of sweetness to an otherwise snarky panel. [[note]]When Paula left the show, both she and Simon made it very clear that it had nothing to do with problems between them, and Simon even mentioned that he's working up another project he wants Paula for.[[/note]]
* Cheryl Cole (2011); borrowed from the UK version for a few episodes until she either quit or was fired to return to the UK version (and then, for whatever reason, did not return to the UK), replaced by would-be co-hostess Nicole Scherzinger.
* Antonio "LA" Reid (2011-2012); [[{{Expy}} black, bald, award-winning record producer]] willing to be harsher than Randy Jackson of ''Series/AmericanIdol'', and thus more likely to confront Simon directly. Also even ''more'' experienced in the music industry than Randy, making him a WorthyOpponent for Simon.
* Nicole Scherzinger (2011); TheAce from the UK series in her guest judging, initially hired as co-hostess but promoted to judge/mentor on Cole's departure early in the first season.
* Music/BritneySpears (2012); It's Britney, [[ThisIsForEmphasisBitch bitch]].
* Music/DemiLovato (2012-2013); Creator/{{Disney}} TeenIdol known for her starring roles in ''CampRock'' and ''Series/SonnyWithAChance'', as well as her own career in music. Became a tabloid sensation in late 2010 [[CreatorBreakdown when she entered a rehab facility for various emotional and physical troubles]]; after making a full recovery, [[CareerResurrection she released a new album to great critical and commercial success]].
* Kelly Rowland (2013); Former member of Music/DestinysChild, who's since carved out a niche for herself aside from simply being known as {{Beyonce}}'s bandmate once upon a time. She served as a judge for the 2011 series of the show's UK counterpart, before being replaced by Nicole Scherzinger - who was a judge on this incarnation of the show herself.
* Paulina Rubio (2013); Mexican pop star, commonly noted as being one of the most successful Latinas in the Spanish-speaking music industry.
Winners of the US version, their categories and their mentors:
* '''Season 1 (2011)''': Melanie Amaro, Girls, Simon Cowell
* '''Season 2 (2012)''': Tate Stevens, Over 25's, L.A. Reid
* '''Season 3 (2013)''': Alex & Sierra, Groups, Simon Cowell
The most successful contestants of the U.S. version have been chart topping girl group Music/FifthHarmony (who came in third place during the second season) and Beatrice Miller (who was in ninth place during the same season).
!!The American series contains examples of:
* CloudCuckooLander: No, not Paula Abdul. At least, not by comparison to Nicole Scherzinger, whose grandiose praise often contains very mixed metaphors.
--> '''Simon Cowell''': I'm sitting in Nicole's chair so [[DeadpanSnarker I'm going to critique like Nicole]]. I believe in you. You believe in me. You transcend the universe. God is smiling on you. Life is a waterfall, and you are the ultimate rainbow.
** BritneySpears in the new series said a person sung like "She was in a dream" and has said some other intriguing critiques.
* ClusterFBomb: [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlQstQzb4A8 Dylan Lawson's audition performance]] was basically a minute-long example of this trope. Granted, that was kinda to be expected since he chose to perform Lil Wayne's "Swag Surfin'," but Dylan certainly seemed very enthusiastic in his vulgarity.
* CringeComedy: In the final episode of the first season, trying to banter with Nicole Scherzinger, emcee Steve Jones asked her if he could come to her house for Christmas. Scherzinger twice said, "What?" forcing him to [[DiggingYourselfDeeper repeat the question]] before finally answering, "Yes. Yes. [[ByNoIMeanYes No.]]" The [[NoJustNoReaction already awkward moment]] was given [[StalkerWithACrush an added layer of creepy]] the next day, when Jones told reporters, if fired from the show, he would [[PrinceCharmingWannabe ask Scherzinger out on a date]].
* CrossOver: Season 1 contestant Astro is featured on a remixed version of British X Factor finalist Cher Lloyd's single "Want U Back". Astro was ironically not on the American version of the song.
*** Cher herself appeared on Demi's single "Really Don't Care" which ended being her second hit.
** Louis Walsh took a break from shooting the UK version to fill in for Simon during one round of auditions in Season 2.
* DeathIsCheap: As was tradition with ''Series/AmericanIdol'', all eliminees returned for an opening number in the final episode of the first season. Less traditionally, popular eliminees Drew, Astro and Marcus Canty were given duets with the surprise guest musicians (Music/JustinBieber, [[FiftyCent 50 Cent]] and Pitbull & Ne-Yo, respectively), while Rachel Crow emceed for one segue.
* DefrostingTheIceQueen: In season 2, Cece Frey toned down her bitchy attitude after Demi told her she was coming off as unlikable.
* DoesNotLikeShoes: First season Music/JustinBieber fangirl [[OnlyOneName Drew]] seemed to like to perform barefoot.
* EyepatchOfPower: Lyric Da Queen of Lyric 145 wears one, which is actually necessary for her; her left eye was already pretty messed up on its own, [[EyeScream and then somebody at a club elbowed it...]]
* FaceHeelTurn: While Nicole Scherzinger was quite popular and well-liked on the UK version, American audiences had a much different reaction to her as a judge. At first, they were lukewarm, but then she [[MoralEventHorizon voted to eliminate]] [[KickTheDog 14-year-old sweet Christian girl Drew]] [[ForcedToWatch just to punish Simon]] and [[DisproportionateRetribution received death threats]] afterward. The following week, she refused to vote against three-time bottom two member Marcus Canty, so as not to hurt his feelings, which caused the elimination of BadassAdorable Rachel Crow (and led to the HeartwarmingOrphan falling to the stage in tears and the [[TearJerker Crowning Moment Of Heartbreaking]] in which she begged her adoptive mother for forgiveness). From then until the final episode, fan opinion on Scherzinger [[BrokenBase was split]]. Some referred to her as a DirtyCoward, [[Creator/BillHicks whereas others insisted]] she was a monster.
* HasTwoMommies: Beatrice Miller of Season 2.
* IApprovedThisMessage: A FOX commercial calls Simon Cowell the "best judge ever" and has him stating "I'm Simon Cowell and I approved this message."
* ImNotHereToMakeFriends: Said almost word for word by Season 2 contestant, Cece Frey.
* InspirationallyDisadvantaged: Rion Paige from Season 3
* IsItAlwaysLikeThis: Similarly to Louis in the UK version, a frequent question from the US judges to Simon Cowell during the auditions phase.
* LogicBomb: When Nicole was making the decision that would ultimately lead to Rachel Crow's elimination, she said "I don't want to have to send you home Rachel... so the act that I'm gonna send home is Rachel."
* MaleFrontalNudity: Within the ''first'' episode, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOL7ORreNbQ Geo Godley]] sang about being a stud. Then he dropped his pants and showed off his ''ahem'', "other stud" in front of the entire audience. It was such an awful sight that it led Paula to become quite nauseated by it, having to RageQuit to the bathroom.
** He was wearing a thong, though that didn't stop people from leaving the auditions.
* TheMeanBrit: [[TropeCodifier Guess]]. Although, perhaps due to the mentoring process, compared to ''Series/AmericanIdol'' he seems almost [[TookALevelInKindness cuddly to the contestants]] and typically reserves his harshest criticisms [[ScapegoatCreator for their mentors]]. Cheryl Cole was a borderline case of this prior to being forced off the show; while not as mean as Simon or even LA, she was decidedly snarkier than either Paula or Nicole. Meanwhile, emcee Steve Jones at times plays this for the contestants, but usually by accident.
-->'''Steve Jones''': ''(to eliminated girl group Lakoda Rayne)'' The dream is over.
* MercyKill: Simon seems to have done this when he eliminated Beatrice Miller because he felt she couldn't handle the competition anymore
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: This occurred during the first season; Marcus Canty (who was in the bottom 2 for the third time) and Rachel Crow (who was seen as a frontrunner by many) were in the bottom 2, and the deciding vote went to Nicole Scherzinger. If she voted to eliminate Marcus, he would have gotten the boot. Nicole didn't want to do that, though, so she voted to eliminate Rachel, sending the vote to deadlock. The final result? [[TragicMistake Rachel has the lowest amount of votes from America and was sent home.]] [[BreakTheCutie Cue a now-very sad 13 year old girl]], sobbing while [[BigNo FALLING TO HER KNEES]], in front of millions of people. Nicole ([[ItsAllMyFault who was directly responsible for this happening]]), naturally grew inconsolable at what she had done and [[TearsOfRemorse began crying as well.]]
* MyGreatestSecondChance: Season 1 contestant, Arin Ray, returns to compete in Season 2, this time as a solo artist in Britney's Teen category.
** Season 3 had both Jeffrey Gutt (from Season 2) and James Kenney (from Season 1) return in the over 25's category, both making it past the audition stage.
* NauseaDissonance: The first act of one episode featured a flasher who got on stage just to expose himself to the judges. While 3 of them were totally fine, Paula went to the bathroom to vomit for about 15 minutes.
* NowBuyTheMerchandise: Played straight by Simone Battle during the first season. Just moments after being eliminated, Simone announced that her first music video was going to officially premiere the next day on Website/YouTube.
** Not to be outdone, The Stereo Hogzz also released their first music video within a day of their elimination, though they didn't announce it onscreen like Simone did.
* OlderThanTheyLook: Rachel Crow from the first season plays up a precocious, ShirleyTemple-like image, which is somewhat disconcerting because she was actually 13 years old when she auditioned.
* OnlyOneName: In the time between the Judge's houses and the live shows, first season finalist Drew Ryniewicz dropped her last name.
* OnlySaneMan: In the first episode of season 2, after wedding-dress/panty-clad Quatrele Da'an Smith auditioned, Britney, Demi, and SIMON all said yes, largely for the potential entertainment factor and the fact the he actually sang well. LA Reid, however, said no, and looked at the other judges like they were high after saying yes.
-->'''LA Reid''': "My fellow judges have gone mad..."
* PositiveDiscrimination: Nicole voted The Stereo Hogzz off the show in favor of Lakoda Rayne ''purely'' because the former was an all-male group, and the latter was all-female. On top of that, she said after the show that she would always vote for a girl group over a boy (or mixed) group, irrespective of how well they actually performed. At the time, some praised her for sticking to her beliefs even though they may be controversial, but in retrospect many regard this as where things started to go horribly wrong for Nicole.
* ReassignmentBackfire: The decision to replace Cheryl Cole with Nicole Scherzinger, if only because of the mess surrounding Rachel Crow's elimination. If, as many have speculated, Cheryl was [[SpringtimeForHitler deliberately set up]] to make a total ass of herself and get fired, then Nicole was supposed to come in and bowl US viewers over in the same way she had done in her brief UK stint, then it's an even worse case of this trope.
* ReTool: Steve Jones, Nicole Scherzinger, ''and'' Paula Abdul all parted ways with the show after its first season... ''on the same day''. Simon wasn't kidding when he said the show would undergo changes ahead of its second season.
** And ''then'', the show underwent another panel shakeup following Britney's and LA's respective departures; they were eventually replaced by former UK X Factor judge Kelly Rowland and Mexican pop star Paulina Rubio.
* RevolvingDoorCasting: The panel of judges (including the host(s), for that matter) has never stayed the same for multiple seasons.
* TheRunnerUpTakesItAll: Tate Stevens went nowhere after his season finished, leaving Fifth Harmony and Emblem3 batting for supremacy. Then Emblem3's momentum came to a screeching halt and Fifth Harmony, much like a certain other five-piece formed specifically for the show and finishing in third, easily becoming its most successful alumni.
* ScrewTheRulesIMakeThem: After initially eliminating Melanie, Simon decided that he would add a fifth member to his team. This proved fortunate, as she would go on to win.
* SurferDude: Emblem3's stylistic shtick.
* TakeThat: To Demi Lovato after she told an unlucky auditionee that "it's not meant for everybody" he replied "That's why you use auto tune and I don't".
* TechnicianVersusPerformer: On season 1, Melanie Amaro is a technically perfect pop belter, whereas 3rd place finisher Chris Rene may not have the best voice, but his simple message ("Love life!") and sincerity connect with the audience on a larger scale. Meanwhile, Josh Krajcik, who finished in 2nd is both a multi-talented composer/musician with a stunning set of pipes for blues and rock and also a relatable and extremely likable bloke (albeit decidedly not in a "prefabricated pop star" way - which is, like Rene, part of his charm). This was everything just short of [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] in the penultimate episode with the final three's duets with established pop stars. Amaro's partner was RKelly, whose personal life is... let's just say "off-putting"... but who is undeniably, even to his detractors, as competent a singer and songwriter as they come. Rene's was Music/AvrilLavigne, who has been lambasted and spoofed for her less-than-polished voice and often simplistic music, but who has maintained a career long since many of her "pop diva" contemporaries faded into nostalgia collection obscurity with her seemingly boundless energy and grungy charm. Whereas Krajcik's partner was Music/AlanisMorissette, who began her career, in the eyes of many, as a sort of poor man's Music/SherylCrow, Music/LizPhair or Music/CourtneyLove, due both to her slightly less conventional attractiveness and slightly more formulaic songwriting, but who has since established herself, in the words of judge Nicole Scherzinger, as "rock royalty," thanks to both her willingness to use her unique stage presence to her advantage and her nearly encyclopedic knowledge of music industry history and current events.
* TitleDrop: Astro
--> "WHEN YOU SAY X, I SAY FACTA!"
* TransatlanticEquivalent
* WalkingShirtlessScene: Drew Chadwick of Emblem3, though the group as a whole seems to like losing their shirts in general. Lampshaded by various contestants.
* WiseBeyondTheirYears: Carly Rose Sonenclar of Season 2 definitely comes across as this.
