Filed under: Music, Television, Interviews, Celeb Updates
Antonio "L.A." Reid knows exactly what it takes to succeed in the music business. As former Island Def Jam honcho, he's helped acts including Mariah Carey, Justin Beiber and Jay-Z become even bigger international superstars. So it made perfect sense when Simon Cowell tapped Reid to be a judge on 'The X-Factor.'
"I'm a supreme court judge," Reid said of his slight career shift. "I'm a supreme court judge of talent." In fact, preliminary rounds of judging have already begun. 'The X Factor' auditions, which have taken place in Los Angeles and Miami, are scheduled for Newark (April 14), Seattle (April 20), Chicago (April 27) and in Dallas (May 26). In a recent phone call, Reid told us about how excited he is about his new job title and how he can't wait to find the superstars of tomorrow.
Brett Johnson: On the surface your role as 'The X-Factor' judge seems like a major career shift but you'll be evaluating talent like you have been doing for years, right?
Antonio "L.A." Reid: Yeah it's basically what I've always done. I'm very excited to join the 'The X Factor,' really excited to be in business with Simon Cowell and honored to be on the same judging panel as Simon. I'm trying to find really interesting and exciting talent and hopefully reaching outside of the mainstream music genres and really reaching deeper into all genres of music. I want to see singers. I want to see rappers. I want to see big voice gospel singers. I want to see it all. I want to see pop and country and rock. I want to see all genres represented here. That to me is really vitally important.
BJ: How has it been working with Simon?
Reid: I've known him for quite some time. I love that he's created this platform. He created 'American Idol.' He's had huge success with 'The X Factor' around the world and 'America's Got Talent,' 'Britain's Got Talent,' so many shows. He's so talented at what he does. [But on 'The X Factor'] we don't intend to agree and it won't be for show. We're going to be bloody honest about what we think of talent. That's the beauty of it. There won't be any yessing. It's the Simon show, and I'm very happy to take a back seat to that, but I will be very honest about my opinions with the artists and music.
BJ: There have been reports that you let it slip that Cheryl Cole will be the third judge. Can you set the record straight?
Reid: No, that isn't correct. I never even interviewed or did anyone asked me about that. But what I can say is that the judging panel, it is a process and there have been many names that have been discussed, many people who have been thought about. Simon is an expert at this and when he finally decides the panel, I'm sure it's going to be a fascinating panel. I don't have any preferences. I don't do casting.
BJ: What's your advice for folks interested in auditioning?
Reid: We're in the middle of the audition process and I'm really just looking for people to come out and be amazing and give up themselves. Get lost in their performances. I'm looking for the next generation of superstar artists. I'm looking for people who want it. People who really understand what it is to get on television in front of millions and millions of people and if you nail it, you become a superstar. You win a $5 million recording contract. I want to really emphasize that. That is a huge win. Huge opportunity. We're looking for superstars. We're looking for greatness out of people. We want people who really want this and you know we want many people from all genres to come out. We want everyone out for the show, for this audition.
BJ: @MRJORDANBROWN had a question for you via Twitter: Will you and Babyface ever write and produce together again?
Reid: Yeah, there's always that possibility. We've talked about it many times. I don't know, this may be the opportunity to do it. I stopped because I never wanted to become dated. So I decided that I love so much music from so many great people and I wanted to open up the door of opportunity for great creative talent. I didn't want to be viewed as the competition, we opened the door and allowed other people in. But we may get back in the studio. We loved working together.