Cape Town - Hundreds of Capetonians braved the cold and rain on Saturday in their bid for stardom, happy to queue for hours for the chance to feature in South Africa’s first season of The X Factor.
Would-be pop idols arrived in droves at the Athlone Stadium for the Cape Town auditions on Saturday, which will continue until the gates close at 1pm today.
The X Factor was created in 2004 by acclaimed music producer Simon Cowell to find the next musical superstar. The show launched the careers of stars such as Leona Lewis, and led to the formation of boy-band sensation One Direction.
South Africans have now been given the chance to compete against millions of other hopefuls for a shot at superstardom. Cape Town was the third location for auditions after Durban and Bloemfontein last week.
In the queue on Saturday, 18-year-old journalism student Bronwyn Margeman, from Mitchells Plain, said she planned to wow the judges with her rendition of David Guetta and Sia’s Titanium.
“I’m hoping for the best, and will at least get through to the next round. I’ve been singing since I was 11 years old and have done a few professional shows, but this could be my big break.”
Sindile Mavundla, a 24-year-old business management student from Khayelitsha, said he was at the audition for the experience.
“I saw the ad online and decided to register. I’ve been a singer for about two years and like contemporary jazz and R&B. I’ve come to do my best, and if I don’t make it through I’ll always use the feedback. Getting the opinion of a professional can only help me get better.”
Series producer Glenn Elliot said the rain may have kept some people away, but that there was definitely enough raw talent.
“There are definitely some diamonds in the rough in Cape Town, and that’s just from the first day of auditions. To be fair, Durban and Bloemfontein have also produced some singers who we believe could go all the way.”
They had also seen their fair share of “interesting characters”, he said, adding that 95 percent of all contestants were there with serious expectations.
The difference between The X Factor and other similar shows is that the judges have vested interests in the contestants, and will help them grow.
Auditions will move on to Polokwane, Joburg, Nelspruit and Pietermaritzburg before the still unnamed judges decide who goes into the next round.
Entry details are available on the The X Factor SA website at xfactor.sabc1.co.za.
Weekend Argus