'X Factor USA' Season 2 Recap: Britney Spears Demi Lovato Debut; Cross Dresser Singing Lady Gaga Stands Out (VIDEO)
The first installment of the two-night premiere of "The X Factor USA" aired on Wednesday, Sept. 12.
The hit singing competition is the world's only reality show contest that offers $5 million to the final winner.
Simon Cowell, the show's creator, added two new judges to the highly-anticipated new season: former pop star Britney Spears and former Disney alum Demi Lovato.
The singers joined Cowell and music executive L.A. Reid at the judges' table at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas.
The show opened with Lovato defending her age.
"I know what music my generation is listening to right now," said Lovato. "I think I know what it takes to make a star."
The next segment featured an image of Spears with her song "Oops! I Did It Again" playing in the background. Spears then explained that she qualifies for the judging gig especially because she has been performing since the age of eight.
"You're going to see Britney, and Demi, unfiltered," Cowell said after the pop stars' introduction.
When Spears arrived into the auditorium, the crowd went into a frenzy.
There were several auditions that stood out and garnered witty responses from all of the judges. Paige Thomas, 21, a nursing student, sang Mary J. Blige's "I'm Going Down."
"Girl, you're a star," said L.A. Reid, comparing the singer to Rihanna. "I see that same something special in you," he added.
"You're commercial with a capital C," said Cowell. Thomas walked away with four "yes" votes.
Spears showed her tough side when Sean Armenta, a 50-year-old airline worker, sang "Candy Girl."
"I want to know who let you on stage," said Spears. Spears' "Toxic" began to play and the audio clip ended with "It's Britney, bitch."
Cowell delivered perhaps his best sarcastic comment of the night to Vincent Thomas, a 22-year-old from Los Angeles who has experience singing in boy bands. After he performed on stage, Cowell responded, "There was always one (in the band) who didn't sing...that's you." The crowd erupted into laughter.
A cake decorator gave the most memorable performance by many opinions. Quatrele arrived on stage wearing a bride's veil, short shorts and bright pink lipstick. Surprisingly, his rendition of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" only received negative feedback from L.A. Reid.
"In a weird way, I quite liked you," said Cowell. Simon described his look as a combination of Madonna, Bobby Brown and Dracula.
"Sometimes I have to embrace the madness ... today I am. I'm gonna say yes," Cowell added.
Lovato said she loved his lipstick, while Spears admitted she also liked his act. With that, Quatrele received 3 votes. "You guys have gone mad," replied Reid.
Part two of the season premiere of "The X Factor: USA" airs Thursday, Sept. 13, 8-10 p.m. ET on FOX.
Watch the most memorable performance from Quatrele, the cross-dressing cake decorator who sings Lady Gaga's "Born This Way."
