Britney shocked by X Factor tribute act

Britney shocked by X Factor tribute act
Britney shocked by X Factor tribute act (Image credit: AP/Press Association Images)

Britney Spears reportedly stormed out of the X Factor USA auditions when one of the hopefuls turned out to be a drag tribute act to the pop princess. At the North Carolina auditions this week, People reports that a man, dressed in women's clothes, performed her hit (You Drive Me) Crazy, as Britney apparently watched in shock and fellow judge LA Reid patted her on the back. Fellow judges Simon Cowell and Demi Lavato covered their faces in horror at the drag act, dressed in sunglasses, a sparkly denim jacket, boots and with his hair in a bun, while the audience appeared to be impressed. After the song Britney, 30, is said to have left the stage followed by LA and Demi. Simon told the hopeful: "I don't think she quite understood your tribute." The singer broke down in tears and told Simon: "I had to fight real hard to get here," adding that he nearly missed the audition because he couldn't afford his phone bill. Britney later returned to the judges' desk and said: "I really respect the tribute. It was really nice." The X Factor USA auditions are now over and Britney revealed Simon treated all the judges to a meal of Southern food to celebrate. She tweeted: "Wow can't believe The X Factor USA auditions are over. So much FUN... bring on boot camp!"

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.