OLLY MURS IN TORONTO | SIGNED PHOTO GIVEAWAY

Olly Murs in Toronto - May 2012

Although he originally was slated as a Guest Performer for One Direction's North American Tour, British Pop Star Olly Murs is making the most of his first Toronto visit... and the Fans are loving it!  The charismatic The X Factor First-Runner-Up already has reached Double-Platinum sales in his native UK where he has released two Discs already, but he just now is making his Debut stateside.

Showing a generous display of Fan Appreciation, Murs has been snapping Photos and signing Autographs for Fans outside his Hotel, inviting Fans to tag along with him to check-out some fine Establishments like The Loose Moose and Hooters. He Tweets, "It had to be done", regarding his visit to the latter - know most for its sexy Waitresses.

Fans waiting outside the Bell Media Building for him yesterday received the sweetest surprise as he walked-up to the Gate, posing for Photos with ecstastic Fans, before and after his Soundcheck for MuchMusic's New.Music.Live. Murs also made a visit to CityTV's Breakfast Television, chatting with the equally charming Dina Pugliese.

DEMI LOVATO & BRITNEY SPEARS JOIN "THE X FACTOR"

Demi Lovato in Toronto - October 2011

Most amazing news! Demi Lovato and Britney Spears have inked deals to star on FOX's The X Factor. The Rolls Royce of Reality TV!

Spears' rumoured $15-million deal comes as no surprise after months of speculation that she would be appearing as a Judge on the Series. Lovato reportedly inked a $1-million deal and will proceed with judging duties following her Summer Tour.

Creator and Judge Simon Cowell could not be more pleased about all the publicity the Singing Reality TV Series has received, especially after yesterday's unveiling at the FOX Upfronts in New York City. He tells TMZ, last night that despite some concerns about Spears' well-being, Cowell is not in the least bit worried as either way he wins in terms of ratings should the Megastar act-up.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

BRITNEY SPEARS CLOSE TO SIGNING $15-MILLION "THE X FACTOR" DEAL

Britney Spears & Nicole Scherzinger in Toronto - March 2009

Although we're still waiting on confirmation, Britney Spears is reportedly close to signing a $15 million deal to judge on the second season of FOX's The X Factor according to multiple sources, including Deadline. Having been in major talks to appear on the show since February, it is said that Spears originally was expecting $20 million for the Deal. 

To place this into context, Jennifer Lopez currently is receiving $12 million to judge on American Idol, while Christina Aguilera - whom Spears has been pitted against since the early days of her career - is earning $10 million for her work as Mentor on NBC's The Voice.

With the recent exits of Judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger from The X Factor leaving room for new faces, this actually marks the second time that the latter has "opened" for Spears.  Former Pussycat Doll Scherzinger back in 2009 had opened for Spears on her Circus Tour.  Some Girls have all the luck!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

NEW MUSIC: REBECCA FERGUSON - "NOTHING'S REAL BUT LOVE"

Still from Nothing's Real But Love

Adele voted for her over 80 times before she went on to win First-Runner-Up in Series 7 of The X Factor (UK). She's dated One Direction's Zayn Malik. Her Debut Album Heaven reached number three in the UK and now 25-year-old Rebecca Ferguson is setting her sights on North America.  The British Soul Singer/Songwriter has often drawn comparisons to the likes of Macy Gray and Aretha Franklin and there is much reason to believe that she will be received warmly in these parts as there is a lack of presence in the Genre of late. 

Like other The X Factor Contestants poised to take-over North America including the likes of Cher Lloyd and One Direction, Ferguson will be visiting North America for Press this May and you should check out her Single, Nothing's Real But Love co-written by Eg White (Adele, Duffy, James Morrison)  Understated and elegant.

Watch the Video for Nothing's Real But Love below:

 

 Follow Ferguson on Twitter here.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Music)

LISTEN: ONE DIRECTION - "UP ALL NIGHT" (FULL ALBUM)

One Direction - Up All Night

In-stores Tuesday, March 13, 2012, Pop Music's new Princes One Direction are set for the North American release of their hit Album, Up All Night via Sony Music Canada.  Hot on the heels of their sell-out Show at the Air Canada Centre along with Co-headliners Big Time Rush, Fans now can preview in full the Canadian pressing of their Disc!

If you haven't yet discovered the fun known as One Direction, you need to listen below:

In case you missed my Review of Big Time Rush and One Direction's Toronto Show, click here to catch-up!

And as an aside, Fans of The X Factor (UK), will be thrilled to know that Sony Music Canada also will be servicing Alumni, Cher Lloyd's Single Want U Back over here, with it impacting Radio in April!

Order Up All Night on iTunes here.

(Photo credit: Sony Music | Audio content: Sony Music)

ONE DIRECTION & BIG TIME RUSH IN TORONTO AT AIR CANADA CENTRE

One Direction at Air Canada Centre - February 2012

The Girls went crazy tonight at Air Canada Centre with the merging of two super-hot Boy Bands in one compact Show.  British Boy Band One Direction whose rise to fame has been meteoric since 2010 when they first surfaced on The X Factor in the U.K., originally were meant only to be an Opening Act for Big Time Rush.  The latter, comprised of four Actor/Singers who based on the success of their Nickelodeon TV Series of the same name, have gone on to achieve major success south of the Border also as Recording Artists, wound-up sharing headlining responsibilities with their British mates.  By the Show's start time, it was clear which Band had won the hearts of young Toronto Women with One Direction Tour Merchandise cleared off-the-racks completely and screams heard at a deafening pitch when the Quintet arrived punctually on-stage at 7:30 PM.

Hot off the success of their BRIT Awards win last week in the category of Best British Single with What Makes You Beautiful, One Direction celebrated their Victory to happy cheers from the crowd, who for the first time tonight, were graced by the Band's presence in Toronto.  Performing a fantastic version of Kings of Leon's Use Somebody and zipping through hits like One Thing and Album Title Track, Up All Night, their energy was absolutely infectious despite performing only to Backing Tracks - no bells and whistles.  The only complaint that could be heard among the sold-out crowd was that their 30-minute Set was far too short.  Forgivable I suppose, considering that their stateside Debut Up All Night won't be in-stores till March 13, 2012 via Sony Music Canada.

ELTON JOHN & MELANIE AMARO IN SUPER BOWL AD FOR PEPSI

Elton John and Melanie Amaro in Pepsi Ad

I swear, this was made for the Gays and the Gays only.  Watch Elton John and Melanie Amaro in this sassy little TV Spot for Pepsi, set to premiere during the Super Bowl this Sunday.  

Elton John is  Queen King of the Castle and decides who ultimately gets their Pepsi.  After others fail to impress us with their vocal skills, The X Factor Winner Amaro graces us with her presence, doing a high-energy version of Aretha Franklin's Respect which sounds lifted off the sweaty, sticky Dance Floors of a Gay Club shortly after midnight. 

Dare I say, John has been out-diva'd?  "Pepsi for all", Amaro declares.

Watch the TV Spot in full:

VIDEO PREMIERE: ONE DIRECTION - "ONE THING"

Still from One Thing

These five Boys are set to take over North America soon and their third Single, One Thing just might be the Track that makes you fall in love with them if you haven't already! Meet Niall Horan, Zayn Malik,  Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson, who first made their debut in the UK on The X Factor before signing with Simon Cowell's Syco label.

Slated to open for another teen sensation in Big Time Rush on their upcoming North American Tour, this British-Irish Quintet already has become a smash in the UK. Their debut Disc Up All Night sold 468k copies within five weeks and now Sony Music Canada will be releasing the Album here on March 20, 2012.  They will be in-town February 26, 2012 and seen at Air Canada Centre.

Check out their Declan Whitebloom-directed Clip below:

(Photo/video credit: Sony Music)

MARIAH CAREY LIKELY AS "THE X FACTOR" MENTOR

Mariah Carey in Toronto - February 2010

How exciting!  Deadline reports that Mariah Carey is currently in the final stages of negotiation to be a Celebrity Mentor on FOX's new Reality TV Series The X Factor.  It is said that Carey will be mentoring contestants from Simon Cowell's home.

Other names currently in talks are the likes of Rihanna, Beyoncé and Usher.  The X Factor premieres on September 21, 2011.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

PAULA ABDUL JOINS "THE X FACTOR USA"

Paula Abdul & Simon Cowell lock lips on American Idol

She's back! And it was only a matter of time. Paula Abdul is the final judge confirmed to sign aboard Simon Cowell's latest endeavour in the U.S., The X Factor USA.

Cowell told a crowd at the University of Southern California's Galen Center yesterday during the first round of Auditions, "I admire that at the 11th hour, she (Abdul) decided to play hardball. It's a little nuts.... she's got a lot at stake here.".

Abdul will be joining her American Idol alumni Cowell, Music Mogul Antonio "L.A." Reid and former Girls Aloud member Cheryl Cole as judges on the American version of the same popular UK Series which made Leona Lewis a Star.

The Show's Hosts will be former Pussycat Doll member Nicole Scherzinger and popular British TV personality, Steven Jones.

The winner of the Competition, which premieres this September on Fox, will win a $5 million record deal.

(Photo credit: Fox)

ANTONIO "L.A." REID POSSIBLY BRINGING MARIAH CAREY BACK TO SONY MUSIC?

Mariah Carey in Toronto - March 2010

Antonio "L.A." Reid, who has been responsible for shaping the careers of many a great Pop Star including P!nk, Usher, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Bon Jovi, TLC and Avril Lavigne, announced today that he will be leaving Island Def Jam effective immediately as its Chairman. He will be working again with Sony Music, having prior overseen the careers of Artists under that label.  There are speculations that he will be a Judge on Simon Cowell's U.S. version of The X Factor.

According to Roger Friedman at Showbiz411, Mariah Carey whom Reid aided in scoring one of the biggest comebacks ever seen in Pop Music in 2005 with The Emancipation of Mimi, will be headed back to her original label Sony Music.  She must however first complete her contractual obligations to Island Def Jam (Univeral Music) with just one more album left, due some time later this year.

Although Island Def Jam did an amazing job with Carey, perhaps indeed it is time for a change with the lackluster performance of her last few releases under the imprint, including E=MC² and Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel.  Could be great!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

GEORGE MICHAEL IN TALKS TO JUDGE ON AMERICAN VERSION OF "THE X FACTOR"

George Michael in Toronto - 2008

Best news in a long time! George Michael is currently in talks with producers to be a Judge on the U.S. version of The X Factor. It is believed that he is being offered upwards of 1 million pounds for the gig, making him the latest in Simon Cowell's move to have Celebrity Judges take over mentoring responsibilities on his massively successful Singing Reality Show franchises.

As we all know, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and Jennifer Lopez will be judging on the forthcoming season of American Idol, premiering Wednesday, January 19, 2011 on FOX.

This would help with a much-needed comeback from Michael as Sony Music is planning to re-issue his classic Grammy-winning album Faith  next year.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

GLEE CAST ON "THE X FACTOR"

Cast of Glee on The X Factor

Where is the justice? It was just announced this weekend that our friends in the UK will get to see the Glee Live! In Concert! Tour late June with stop-offs slated for Manchester and London. And Canada gets shafted yet again. 

The New Directions with the exception of Kurt (Chris Colfer) who was busy filming scenes, flew out to London this weekend for an appearance on The X Factor performing Journey's Don't Stop Believin' - making their first ever live appearance ever overseas.  Needless to say, the Brits loved it.  Have a look:

(Photo/video credit: ITV)

THE X FACTOR'S MARY BYRNE IS THE NEXT SUSAN BOYLE

The X Factor's Mary Byrne

50 year-old Dubliner Mary Byrne is all the rage over in the UK right now as like overnight Internet sensation Susan Boyle, she too has gained a lot of support virally.  Known affectionately as Tesco Mary because she currently works as a Cashier at a branch of that Supermarket back in Ireland, even her employer has launched a campaign to get its star employee some extra votes.  She is a finalist on the UK's favourite Singing Reality Show The X Factor in the Over-28 Female category.

I came across Byrne after seeing many of my friends overseas Tweeting about her and decided to check out some of her performances, including this rendition of Dusty Springfield's You Don't Have to Say You Love Me from last night.  

QUESTION OF THE DAY: AMERICAN IDOL vs. THE X FACTOR

VS.

As we're all aware, The X Factor is in development for the American market by Simon Cowell.  In all honesty, I've only seen YouTube clips of The X Factor, so I don't appreciate the subtle differences between this and American Idol.  So other than the fact that groups are eligible to enter The X Factor whereas American Idol is exclusively solo artists, what is the bloody difference between the two shows, really?  Or like me, are you pretty much bored of reality television talent competitions and that proverbial One Album of Fame (no, I'm not talking about you Kelly and Carrie) that comes from the winner?