Contestants vie for ‘X Factor’ fame on Covelli stage

By ED RUNYAN

runyan@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Their experience level ranged from extensive — in the case of Tara Elkins of Warren — to minimal — in the case of Andrea Cicoretti of Struthers.

But their goal and that of the 37 other semifinalists who sang at the Covelli Centre on Friday night was the same: to eventually perform in front of judge Simon Cowell on the Fox television show “The X Factor.”

“I want to win. I want to be the next ‘X Factor’ and do my very best,” said Elkins, 26, who has competed about 100 times at various singing competitions and advanced past the local level three times for “American Idol.”

She also has competed on NBC’s “The Voice” and other competitions and has performed since she was 5 years old.

Cicoretti, on the other hand, was competing for the first time, despite having the lead in the play “Miracle on 34th Street” two years ago at the Youngstown Playhouse.

A nurse and sales and marketing representative, Cicoretti, who competed in the 30-and -over category, says her biggest reason for competing was the “wonderful support and encouragement” of her husband, Dean.

“I think just the opportunity to sing at the Covelli Centre makes it worth it,” she added.

Elkins and Cicoretti were among 352 singers who auditioned for producers early Friday afternoon, with no music, in order to narrow the field to 39 for Friday night’s competition.

After performing for either a minute for individual performers or 90 seconds for groups, eight were chosen to compete in Youngstown’s final round.

The four best — one each from groups, female age 12-to-29; male age 12-to-29; and age 30 and over — advanced to the next round, to take place in Providence, R.I., on May 10. They are: Synphony, a group from Youngstown, singing “If I Ever” by Shai; Mazhorell Johnson, 25, of Boardman, who sang “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston; Jason Rosendary, 28, of Liberty, who sang “Ordinary People” by John Legend; and Cynthia Wright-Palmer, 30-and-over, who sang “Summertime”.

In Providence, they will compete to be chosen for this fall’s second season of the national television show.

The four contestants advancing from Youngstown will receive a two-night stay at the Providence Hilton Hotel and $200 for travel expenses. They also will not have to wait in long lines to compete in Providence, said David Redig of Fox Youngstown.

Tommy Chris, 64, a veteran Youngstown musician, sang the Marvin Gaye song “What’s Going On.” Chris, who toured for a year with Dennis Yost and the Classics, says he’s probably “the oldest contestant in the history of ‘The X Factor.’”

But win or lose, Chris says the exposure can only improve his already established musical interests. He writes music, has an Internet talk show, a television show on Armstrong Cable and a recording studio. Singing on the Covelli stage was great, he said.

“I had no idea it would be this much fun,” he said, adding, “Once you get past the butterflies, it’s cool.”