Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The X Factor breezed through three cities in just two hours Wednesday night.

Along the way, they introduced us to just six advancing artists. That includes three talented ladies named Paige Thomas, Jannel Garcia and Jillian Jensen, a 13-year-old Justin Bieber look-alike named Reed Deming, a guy in a wedding dress named Quatrele Da’an Smith and a boy group named Emblem 3 whose members insisted they weren’t a boy band.

Hopefully, given the number of vocally challenged singers we met in the premiere — and please put Quatrele in that category — we haven’t seen all of the talent the judges discovered in Austin, San Fran and Providence, Rhode Island.

The search for a contestant worthy of a $5 million prize continues tonight. But if you’re wondering what you missed last night, head here. Or if you’re wondering what fans are saying about Britney Spears’ judging debut, head here.

Otherwise, follow along with the live blog.

Johnny Maxwell, 16, Calif.: He says he has the ambition to win and he’s going to sing an original song, “All These People.” The young man raps much better than he sings. But you get the distinct feeling he’s headed to boot camp by the close-ups of Demi and Britney smiling as he performs. L.A. says Johnny is “exactly what we need.” Demi says he has “swag;” Britney thinks he’s cute. Simon echoes my thoughts: He’s a better rapper than singer. He might also be the best male performer we’ve met on the show so far. And, sure enough, he’s off to boot camp.

Lexa Berman, 22, Fla.: Next up is a dancer from Florida who’s smoking hot and knows it. “I know what I got and I’m not scared to show it,” she says. Or apparently, jiggle it. Oh, and she says she doesn’t have a Plan B. Then she reveals her Plan B: Marry rich. Unfortunately, she doesn’t sing nearly as good as she looks. Simon says yes, but the young ladies on the panel say no. And so we say so long to lovely Lexa. For pics of Lexa, head to her Facebook page.

She’s followed by lots of hot looking gals and guys who can’t cut it as singers.

Jason Brock, 34: He works in tech support, but sings to customers who call in. He calls his voice “unbelievable,” and loves it when one auditioner compares him to Elton John. After describing what his first concert would be like, he launches into “New York State of Mind.” And behind all that flamboyance, is a fairly good singer. His performance prompts a standing ovation from three of the four judges. Simon says he was prepared for the worst and “suddenly, we were at your concert.” And Jason is off to boot camp after being called “flawless” by L.A. Reid.

Patrick Ford, 20: Now The X Factor decides to waste our time by introducing us to a cashier who equates meeting Britney to “meeting God,” shows up on stage with a bouquet of roses for the pop princess and decides the way to her heart would be to butcher one of her songs — “Circus.” It isn’t, of course, and despite his professed love for Britney, she dismisses him and dashes his dream of music stardom with a simple “no.”

Carly Rose Sonenclar, 13, West Chester, N.Y.: She’s a student who says she “just loves music” and wants to be a “superstar.” She’s hoping especially to get the support of Demi and Britney. She’s going to sing “Feeling Good.” Oh, my, my — a contestant who can actually sing. If Carly Rose keeps singing like this, she might change my mind about super-young contestants … as long as she sticks to age-appropriate material. She also knows how to work a stage, doesn’t she? Pretty impressive for someone so young. L.A. calls her an “old soul.” Simon proclaims “a star has just walked out on that stage.” And she’s boot-camp bound, of course.

So, between a hottie and lots of wasted time, we met two really good singers tonight — teenagers Johnny Maxwell and Carly Rose Sonenclar.