The X Factor Week 2 Recap: The Judges Play Mean

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The X Factor wrapped up its audition rounds phase on Thursday night, pulling in some of the most original talent of the competition so far both good and positively awful. In the spirit of saving the best for last, well run down the worst first, and that had to be the judges behavior. Sure, Clarissa Cheatham, a 27-year-old office clerk, who goes by the nickname Cashmere, was awful as she gave a tone deaf rendition of Always Be My Baby by Mariah Carey, but Simon Cowell was worse. Clarissas smile faded when Simon, in front of thousands, couldnt control his giggling as he told her, Cashmere, when you said that people screamed after [you performed] karaoke, I dont think that was a compliment, giving the impression he was laughing at her. More brutal than Clarissa having the wind taken out of her sails was L.A. Reid telling Emily, one-half of teenage Glee-esque group (think Rachel and Kurt) Ausem, that only her partner Austin was a star. No disrespect, L.A. began as Emilys face dropped, but Im not convinced of the duo. Luckily, Simon lobbied for them, and they got through. As for the good stuff, there was plenty, beginning with a pint-sized teen with a heck of a lot of attitude Brian Bradley. The little man, just 14, hit the stage, demanding in his rap that the listener, stop looking at my mom! You are arrogant, obnoxious, argumentative, but you are one of the most talented young people Ive heard in a long, long time, Simon said. L.A., however, had much, much loftier praise. I used to run this label called Def Jam, and all the years that I was there I was looking for you and you never walked in, so Im the luckiest guy in the world that you walked into my life today, he said. Tora Woloshin, 21, hit the stage looking like a blend of Lady Gaga and Kat Von D, but when she opened her mouth to sing The Jackson Fives I Want You Back she rocked the number out with a rock grit to her big, poppy voice. Theres something about you, the minute you walk out, Simon raved. Thats why this show is called The X Factor its more than just a voice, its something else and I think you could be really special. Pretty-on-the-eyes Brennin Hunt, 26, from Nashville, Tenn., looked like a model, but he wasnt just a pretty face, performing an original song How We Make It and easily sailing through the judges vote. Jazzlyn Little was petrified when she hit the stage, and could barely respond when Simon asked her simple questions like her age 16 but when the music came on (Mary J. Bliges Im Going Down), she was nowhere close to a shy little girl. Paula Abdul and Nicole hugged each other in disbelief and L.A. wondered aloud where her big sound came from. With the auditions over, The X Factor will return with its boot camp round next Wednesday at 8/7 C on FOX. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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