“The X Factor” begins Season 2 auditions March 1

While it is also on the hunt for a couple of new judges to join Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid, as well as a new host (after the major revamp that saw former judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger, along with host Steve Jones, get the axe; Whitney Houston had been approached as a possible replacement judge before her untimely passing, and news today is that Janet Jackson is in early talks to be on the panel), The X Factor USA will begin its quest for Season 2 contestants in a few weeks.

The audition process is being expanded to reach more singers as it looks for solo artists and vocal groups. New for Season 2, artists with pre-existing management contracts can now audition (subject to limited restrictions). Auditions can be done online, or at a number of open calls or MyStudio HD recording studios in cities across the country.

According to Cowell, “We wanted to change a few things this year, so starting with the auditions, we’ve torn up the rulebook again. Even if you have management you can still enter, and we are making it easier by extending the online auditions and taking the MyStudio booths to even more cities. You can enter as many times as you want and come to any of the cities, too.”

There are a few ways in which you can audition for Season 2. See TheXFactorUSA.com for further details, rules, information, location updates and registration forms.

ONLINE
Online auditions open March 1 at TheXFactorUSA.com. Entrants are asked to upload a 1-minute introduction and 2-minute a cappella video performance to the site.

MYSTUDIO HD RECORDING STUDIOS
The following MyStudio HD Recording studios will be open for auditions on the dates listed below. More MyStudio locations will be announced at a later date:

Paramus, NJ: March 1, Westfield Garden State Plaza
Tempe, AZ: March 1, Arizona Mills Mall
Nashville: March 1, CoolSprings Galleria
Aiei, HI: March 1, Pearlridge Center
Los Angeles: March 9, Westfield Culver City Mall
Mashantucket, CT: March 9, Foxwoods Resort Casino
Las Vegas: March 14, Planet Hollywood Resort

OPEN CALLS
The following cities and locations will hold open calls on the dates listed below. A fifth open call location will be announced at a later date:

Kansas City, MO: March 14, Kemper Arena
Austin, TX: March 22, Frank Erwin Center at the University of Texas
San Francisco, CA: April 20, Cow Palace
Greensboro, NC: May 1, Greensboro Coliseum

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