LOS ANGELES (LALATE EXCLUSIVE) – Stacy Francis is not just a single 42 year old mother trying to be discovered by Simon Cowell and FOX producers on The X Factor USA. Rather, Francis was part of the 1998 Original Broadway Cast of the musical Footloose. Francis in Footloose performed the smash song “Let’s Hear It For the Boy”. Viewers have been left believing that that Simon Cowell has discovered Francis this season on his reality show. But Francis has already made it big as a singer, far before Simon Cowell ever met her.

The perceived concept of The X Factor rests on judges trying to find a performer who has a hidden star quality, or factor, that needs to be discovered. When Stacy Francis first appeared before Simon Cowell, his remarks included the following “It is always my favorite feeling in the world is when I sit in a chair and I meet a star for the first time.”

While Simon Cowell might have “met a star for the first time” in Francis now, if Cowell had gone to Broadway years earlier, Cowell allegedly could have seen her star then.

Francis is an exceptionally talented singer who deserves to win this season of The X Factor. Her singing is unmatched, her voice is exceptional, and her delivery is unmatched.

While Cowell makes one thing appear to telecast viewers, New York theatre fans have seen Francis on stage for years, from Born to Sing!, Smokey Joe’s Café and Street Corner Symphony. During her original appearance, X Factor producers aired the following statement by Francis “In my late 20s into early 30s, I met someone. Things just when really wrong … He kept on telling me I’m too old or not talented enough, I started believing him.”

During her initial audition, Francis told viewers that “I’m Stacy, I’m 42 years old, I’m a single mother with two kids”. She later added “I don’t want to die with this music in me Simon!” Francis’ music, however, is alive and well; the 1998 Original Broadway Cast recording from Footloose staring Stacy Francis is still available for purchase on Amazon.com.

Francis deserves to win this season of The X Factor. But will she?

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – The X Factor USA Top 16 spoilers online this week for the 2011 season predict Stacy Francis and Dexter Haygood (of Xavion) among those advancing. The X Factor USA Top 16 spoilers follow recent predictions leaked online for the Top 32 contestants that were relatively accurate. Unlike tv shows like Bachelor Pad and The Bachelor where spoiler RealitySteve has had a track record of perfectly predicting entire seasons, X Factor USA hasn’t yet spawn a go-to source for weekly spoilers of the reality show.

But if online spoilers for the Top 16 Contestants are accurate, than fans will be happy to know that Stacy Francis and Dexter Haywood apparently reach the Top 16. Francis and Haywood have been the two singers who initially helped FOX find its focus with X Factor. After being accused of being a stylized copy of American Idol, X Factor with two starkly different competitors found its focus with Haywood and Francis.

Stacy Francis was part of the initial media blast by X Factor. She was debuted in the 8 minute preview clip for the series, covered previously on LALATE.

LA Reid told Stacy “Everything that I do musically is about having my spirit stirred and the hair on my arm raised. And you did both for me today. You are so gifted. You got what it takes.”

Dexter Haygood / Xavion Pictures cerca 1984 (Set 1)
Dexter Haygood / Xavion Photo 1
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Simon told her “Let me tell you Stacy, I have done this a long long time. That was one of the best auditions I have seen in my entire life. You didn’t just sing. You believed in it. Loved it, loved you.”

Dexter Haygood gave us something different than Idol – a fallen rocker who is trying to get back up and prove himself again. “I am a rock and roll soul man…. I use to be in a rock and roll group Savion back in 1984, we went on tour with Hall and Oats” he told viewers last month.

Dexter Haygood / Xavion Pictures cerca 1984 (Set 2)
Dexter Haygood / Xavion Photo 5
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Haygood added “It’s not easy being a musician. It’s up and down hills and valleys.” While Idol is about first chances, X Factor for Haygood has been about second chances. “This is a definitely a second chance for me. Coming back.”

Dexter Haygood / Xavior Pictures cerca 1984 (Set 3)
Dexter Haygood / Xavion Photo 9
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Dexter Haygood / Xavion Photo 12

“I hope that, and pray that, all that I have done, this is my payoff. My passion for what I do kept me alive and keeps me alive to this day.” Click HERE for the alleged Top 16  spoilers.

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Tora Woloshin on The X Factor tonight blew Simon Cowell away. Tora Woloshin also delivered a standing ovation that left her in tears. Tora during Thursday night’s broadcast helped Simon Cowell explain to viewers why The X Factor is not just a singing competition.

When Tora Woloshin sang tonight, she was not particularly the most brilliant singer. But if there was anyone who just seemed like they could be an enormous star, it was her. From her look, to her energy, to her unique disposition (a mix of modesty and yet brilliant strong stage presence), Tora Woloshin blew Cowell away tonight. When Tora was done, the crowd went wild, giving her an elongated standing ovation.

Paula Abdul and LA Reid were impressed, but still were reserved in their comments. Paula told her “Tora, sweetheart how did that feel up there?” She responded “Oh, so good”, a remark that prompted more applause from the audience. “You are a little firecracker there.”

Reid remarked “I saw you a little blown away by your own reception here.” He added “But that was really good, really good. “

But when it got to Cowell, the crowd went wild. “I absolutely love you Tora.” Cowell used her performance tonight to assure viewers and fans that his show is more than just about singing but also about finding someone who has that special gift.

“Something about you, the minute you walk out. That’s why this show is called The X Factor. It’s more than just a voice. It’s something else.” Cowell added “And I think you could be special. I really do. I got a very good feeling about you.”

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Brian Bradley on The X Factor tonight told Simon Cowell to stop looking at his mom. Brian Bradley on The X Factor Thursday delivered the most memorable audition to date on the Fox reality TV series, not because of his rapping, but because of how the audition played out.

Brian Bradley came onto the stage with big eyeglasses and a hat. His appearance seemed conservative. But when asked by Simon Cowell why Bradley doesn’t have a record deal already, he responded “It’s politics man, I know somebody, I know somebody, if you don’t then, it’s politics.”

Then, without missing a beat, Bradley took off his glasses and looked at Simon Cowell with an angry look “Yo, yo, Simon, I see you man!” Cowell looked around. The audience had no idea what was about to happen. Bradley got angrier. “Na, na, hold on, hold on. What is you-r-r-r problem man?!” he exclaimed at Cowell.

The Fox camera panned to LA Reid whose mouth dropped. A quick shot of the audience had viewers surprised that the 14 year old was “apparently” mouthing off at Cowell. But he kept it up. “Are you serious?! You see, this is why I didn’t want to audition. “ He then proceeds to call Cowell “son”.

“Yo, what is your problem son? I swear man. I swear to my life you are lucky were aren’t in the streets.” With that line, the cameras cut to LA Reid who gave a smirk as if he knew what is about to erupt. “Cuz if we were in the streets, this is what I say to you, Simon drop that!” From there, the director dropped the track immediately. Bradley auditioned with the rap song “Stop Looking at My Mom” in one of the best auditions to date on The X Factor.

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LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Skyelor Anderson and Elaine Gibbs last night helped The X Factor prove its premise of being a unique talent show. Skyelor Anderson and Elaine Gibbs on any other talent show would have been too young or too old. And while The X Factor has been accused of being a copycat of American Idol, its finding of talent in Anderson and Gibbs helped last night to silence its critics.

Yes, other performers last night seemed like they could have auditioned for Idol instead. In fact, many of the audition songs to date on X Factor have been performed in other U.S. reality talent show programs.
But if FOX and X Factor producers are taking notes, the difference rests in the uniqueness of their X Factor talent. Last night that was exemplified in Skyelor Anderson and Elaine Gibbs.

Anderson is the young African American country western singer with the white coral necklace. At 16, Anderson has the stage presence of someone twice his age. His voice was incredible, his responsiveness to criticism was good, and he clearly has the potential to win The X Factor. He was so good that you just want to watch his performance (without music) over and over again.

Elaine Gibbs was the grandmother who proved great pipes last a lifetime. She belted out her notes so strong, so well, that viewers were undoubtedly left a bit confused why Fox aired so few minutes of her performance.

The question remains however how The X Factor will progress in future weeks. If the talent just looks like Idol and the songs sound like Idol, that viewers might be lost. But if the immense charm and talents of Anderson, Gibbs and other unique talent continue to shine, then Fox will have silenced its criticism of Idol copying.

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