On the Scene: The X Factor Auditions

On Day 2 of auditions for Season 2 of Fox's The X Factor, judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato seemed to be settling in to their new roles. In Austin with veterans Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid, Spears was a mixture of harsh critic and southern belle on Friday, while Lovato was more vocal and quick-witted.
More than 4,500 people watched 21 acts compete for the chance to continue in the competition and ultimately win a $5 million recording contract. All of the judges took turns introducing the contestants. Spears was arguably a crowd favorite, drawing sporadic "I love you's" and only a few shouts of disapproval. Lovato, on the other hand, one of the harsher and more comedic judges, drew many shouts of anger as she turned down more and more contestants.
Spears was considerably more involved on Friday, compared to her Thursday judging, telling one act that they sounded like The Chipmunks and should stick to modeling. She was soft spoken with others, simply saying they were "sweet." At times, she seemed unsure what to do, almost standing up for an act that got her clapping and dancing in her seat; she became more comfortable as the taping continued. Her fiancé, Jason Trawick, stayed close the entire time, escorting her to and from the judges' table during breaks. (And unlike Thursday's taping, Spears stayed through the nearly four-hour show.)
Lovato and Spears disagreed on some contestants. After Lovato told one soulful singer that she was distracted by her lack of clothing, Spears said she understands what it's like to be judged for what you wear and to "rock whatever you want."
Lovato and Cowell — who hammed it up with the audience at times, blowing kisses and turning around when his name was called — had plenty of banter throughout the night. After Cowell told one contestant that he was looking at Spears the same way his dog used to look at him, Lovato quipped, "That's the only person who has looked at Simon that way." Towards the end of the taping, Lovato told Cowell to "stop picking on people."
Are you excited to see the new X Factor judges in action this fall? — Isadora Vail
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