X Factor vs American Idol, Some of the Differences

The brainchild of former American Idol judge Simon Cowell, The X Factor has already spent seven seasons discovering best-selling and award-winning artists such as Leona Lewis.

Like Idol, The X Factor is a show where amateur singers compete for audience votes. Also like Idol, the prize is a recording contract. There are several differences, however, beginning with who can apply. There is no age limit in The X Factor and groups can audition. Anyone who passes the spring auditions is placed into one of four categories: Girls, Boys, Over 25 and Groups.

The main difference is the role the judges play. On Idol, the judges often disagree with each other but there is still a clear line between them and the contestants. The X Factor adds a new dimension between the judges and, on some level, make them compete against each other.

Rather than simply evaluating each performance, the judges of The X Factor are assigned one of the categories to mentor. They guide the contestants in song choice and performance style. During the live shows, the judges critique each other’s categories.

Aside from Cowell, the judges of the US X Factor have yet to be announced. The UK version has included Sharon Osbourne, Dannii Minogue, pop singer Cheryl Cole and manager Louis Walsh.

This year, critics complained that American Idol has grown stale after 10 years. The X Factor may be arriving just in time.