With the premiere of The X Factor only five days away, Fox has released a few promotional previews of what viewers can expect in the second season--including a contestant butchering judge Britney Spears' song, "Circus" and another accusing Demi Lovato of using "auto-tune."
The clips underscore judge Simon Cowell's assertions that Spears can be "surprisingly mean," but also reveal that Lovato, who says in an interview that she is the "happy judge," has plenty of bark in her bite as well.
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For instance, one auditioner, who Cowell said is "like a mouse trying to be an elephant," begins to argue that he worked "too hard" to be criticized. Lovato interrupts, telling the less than talented competitor that "a lot of people work really, really hard for their dreams, but it's not meant for everybody."
After an angry retort of "that's why you use auto-tune and I don't," Spears cuts him to the quick, hissing "I want to know who let you on stage...I feel uncomfortable with you even staring at me."
Ouch! Another hopeful makes Spears physically wince shaking his booty to "Circus" (prompting another Cowell-ism, "It was like you had an argument with Britney Spears, got drunk and started to scream at her"), while one kid tells Lovato he envisions himself in a "glitter explosion."
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More revelations come courtesy of judge interviews. L.A. Reid, chairman of Sony's Epic Records, said the new season feels "a little looser, younger, and lighter," while Cowell said the energy of the show "feels like ten years ago."
"I'm more excited this year," he said. "The show is better this year...the auditions felt different than what they did a year ago. There is something in the air right now."
He also said that the reaction to the girls is electric when they walk into the room.
"I've never seen a response like it in my life. People are fainting, screaming..it's a great reaction," he said.
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While comparing Lovato to an "annoying younger sister," he praises her confidence and fearlessness as a member of the panel, and added that Spears "really wants to be taken seriously as a judge."
Spears said she found a kindred spirit in Cowell, and said she respects "the fact that he says what he thinks."
"I'm usually siding with Simon..[he is] usually on my side with a lot of things," she said. "We kind of are in agreement in the direction of what we think a star should be."
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Watch the clips below: