Auditions for “X Factor,” a show created by Simon Cowell, came to Binghamton University on Saturday, April 30, bringing one person a step closer to fulfilling a dream of a music career.
Kelly Marie Anderson, who traveled to Binghamton from Brooklyn for the competition, was selected by the judges to continue on the audition process.
Saturday morning, 150 hopefuls waited in line starting at 7 a.m. at the BU Events Center in order to perform a song a cappella for a panel of judges to earn a special chance to be flown to Dallas, Texas to compete on the “X Factor” television show.
The “X Factor” competition is a show that originated in Europe and is now making its way to the United States. According to the “X Factor” network, the main regional auditions are being held in Hawaii, Arizona, Tennessee, Alaska, Kansas and Colorado.
Each Fox news station holds its own auditions. Fox 40 news in Binghamton is one of the sponsors of the “X Factor” auditions locally, in addition to Visions Federal Credit Union, Lourdes Hospital and Wild 104.
According to Vernon Rowlands, operations manager at Fox 40 in Binghamton, Fox rented the Events Center in its search to find one winner out of one hundred and fifty people.
Each person tried out for one minute without music, and the top five people will sing a cappella for an additional two minutes.
“The winners of the competition will be flown to Dallas,” Rowlands said. “There they will compete in regionals.”
Samantha Heatherman, a 16-year-old girl attending Chenango Valley High School, was first on line at the Events Center.
“I have been here since 5 a.m.” Heatherman said. “I am confident, I have been singing since I was seven years old, and I practiced a lot.”
Melissa Richardson, a 17-year-old attending Whitney Point High School, arrived at 6:30 in the morning.
“I would be ecstatic if I just make it to the top five,” Richardson said. “I have been performing since I was 5 years old.”
Jenna Harmon, a 15-year-old attending Union Endicott High School, came to try out with the support and encouragement of her best friend.
“My best friend gave me the idea,” Harmon said. “I am not nervous now, but I will be once I get in and my best friend won’t be there.”
Even some people who were not trying out were excited for the auditions.
Kelly Lutz, an undeclared freshman at BU, was enthused about the competition.
“It’s really exciting!” Lutz said. “I never expected ‘X Factor’ to come to Binghamton, it’s going to be a good show.”
According to a press release from Binghamton’s Office of Communications and Marketing, Anderson will be guaranteed an audition in front of judges at the Dallas Convention Center, airfare from Binghamton, and $3,000 for a hotel stay.