The X Factor is a television show that has become an annual event in the UK. X Factor is in much the same vein as American or Pop Idol, in that it is a televised singing contest. The X Factor is a little different though and aims to hand the X Factor crown to an act that has the whole package, that extra something, namely the X Factor.

With four groups of acts there are:-

Groups

Under 25 years old-boys

Under 25 years old-girls

Over 25 years old.

Each group has its own mentor. Usually the mentors receive a different group of acts each year. However more recently it always seems to be Louis Walsh who is given the groups to mentor. Most years this group of acts are not very good. However last year, 2008, the X Factor runners up were a boy band called JLS. These guys have gone on to chart success in 2009 and look set for a rosy future.

For 2009 though the category of bands looked pretty dire. So much so, I think, that mentors Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell persuaded three girl acts to join forces and create a girl band. As the mentors or judges were not going to put these girls through to the final 12 and the live shows, in many ways these girls had no choice.

Despite seeming to get their act together though these girls, Miss Frank, have already been sent home from the competition. In fact there is only one act left in the groups category and that is twins, John and Edward Grimes. These two young Irish lads did not get off to the best start in X Factor. During the auditions they rudely sang over two acts that they had been teamed with. As Simon Cowell said at that the time they were obnoxious. Of course there is one other reason to disregard them from the X Factor competition, namely that they cannot sing.

It is strange then that, as Week 5 of the X Factor live shows approaches, John and Edward, or as they are being called Jedward, are still in the competition. In fact they have gone from rank outsiders to one of the favourites to win X Factor 2009.

Just how this change of heart has come about is hard to pinpoint.

Of course who is sent home each week is down to the voting public and many UK residents have an opinion about Jedward but never actually vote.

If Simon Cowell is to be believed, he wants this act to go home. That fact alone may be causing extra votes simply to annoy Simon.

Simon has now changed his tune though about Jedward, as people, and claims that they are nice guys really. Some of this seems to confirm the press gossip that actually Simon thinks Jedward are great. Rumour has it that both Louis and Simon have seen potential in Jedward from the start. It would seem that ifthese rumours are true, they both have told plenty of people that Jedward will be massive in the future.

Engineering this Jedward gossip though could also vastly increase the amount of votes cast each week and so make the X Factor producers plenty of cash.

Another thing which is definite though is that Jedward have a large fan base already. Although they are poor singers each week their song choice is performed almost like a mini musical. With backing dancers, theatrical sets and the like it is a brief High School Musical. Maybe this is what the voting British public want.

Jedward have also perfected their own personal style. With overly high bouffant hair and extreme make overs they look different. Perhaps different enough to appeal a young audience. However as almost everyone you talk to says that they think Jedward should be sent packing it is hard to guess who is really voting for them.

As each week, successive talented acts are sent home Jedward are receiving plenty of publicity. Blogs, articles , YouTube and daily newspapers are carrying information about Jedward on a daily basis. This must be a little soul destroying for some of the other acts who will find it hard to compete against these two. Even though almost every other performer left in X Factor 2009 has far more talent than Jedward they know this act will be a hard one to beat.

Jedward currently is simply a UK phenomenon much like Susan Boyle was earlier in 2009. However Susan did have talent.

Whether the twins will win X Factor and build a lasting career, only time will tell. My gut instinct though is that they will simply be a fad of the day and very short-lived celebrities.

X Factor 2009 is currently shown on ITV in the UK on Saturday evenings at 8pm

The results show is on the same channel the next day, Sunday, at 8 pm.

Learn more about this author, Ethel Smith.
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