TV News: Chicago Auditions For Simon Cowell’s ‘The X Factor’ on April 27, 2011 With $5 Million Prize

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CHICAGO – While Simon Cowell has outgrown “American Idol,” he’s got the itch again. Now the nation’s meanest music critic is scouring cities large and small to unearth the singer with “The X Factor”. And this time, the winner nabs more than national notoriety and a recording contract. A grand prize of $5 million is enough clams for the show to start cracking some serious skulls.

Following auditions in Los Angeles, Miami, Newark and Seattle, Chicago is up next on April 27, 2011. Hopeful auditioners in the Windy City must have registered in advance on April 26, 2011 and then the potentially all-day hurry up and wait begins on Wednesday. Details about the Chicago audition can be found beneath the following promo video for “The X Factor”.

Audition venue: Sears Centre Arena
Audition address: 5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192
Audition date: Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Audition time: Arrive before 8 a.m.

Eligibility: Singers and vocal groups 12 years of age or older as of March 1, 2011 who are legal U.S. citizens or eligible to work in the U.S. and do not currently have a music recording contract. Some restrictions apply.

Registration: Wristbands distributed from approximately 6 a.m. on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 until approximately 6 a.m. on Wednesday, April 27. Auditioners will not be permitted to camp out. Once auditioners obtain their wristbands, they will be asked to return to the Sears Centre Arena by 8 a.m. on Wednesday, April 27, 2011.

Bring ID: You must bring two forms of ID that show proof of your age and at least one of those must have a photograph. For example, bring a birth certificate and driver’s license, a birth certificate and a passport or a birth certificate and a school ID card. Any auditioner under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Audition details: No musical instruments are allowed. Pick three songs to sing that make you stand out. Choose a verse and chorus from three different songs to sing without backing music (vocals only). You may not get to perform all three. Cowell advises you to be “original” and “the wackier the better”. If you’re singing a known song, do it with “your” unique spin and arrangement. Full frequently asked questions about the audition process can be found here.

“The X Factor” on FOX.
Photo credit: FOX

“The X Factor” airs this fall on FOX. The winner will be presented with a grand prize of $5 million along with a recording contract from Simon Cowell’s Syco Music, which is an affiliate of Sony. Along with Simon Cowell, past judges have included Sharon Osbourne, Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh with presenter Dermot O’Leary.

By ADAM FENDELMAN Publisher HollywoodChicago.com adam@hollywoodchicago.com