By Chris Johnson


Crazy scenes: A growing crowd of 18,000 hopeful pictured in the car park of the LA Sports Arena in Los Angeles today where the first U.S. X Factor auditions got underway


X Factor U.S. officially got rolling today as thousands upon thousands of hopefuls descended on Los Angeles for the first round of auditions.

A swarming crowd of around 18,000 people are assembled in the car park at the LA Sports Arena in Downtown Los Angeles - making it the largest talent show turnout the city has seen.

Despite the rainy weather, would-be contestant camped out overnight in a bid to get a good spot before doors opened at 9am this morning.

Not deterred: Despite the rainy weather, wannabes braved the elements as they took their place in the huge queue in a bid to get an audition


A show insider told MailOnline: 'The scenes down here a crazy. There are around 18,000 people here and the numbers are growing by the second.

'There's gridlock on the freeways into the venue, it's absolute chaos.

'These auditions are going to be going on well into the night - there are a lot of people to get through.'

Dedicated: Would-be-contestants camped out over night before doors opened at 9am this morning

Front of the queue: Revellers stand behind the gated area at dusk


As it's the first round of auditions, hopefuls will perform in front of producers of the show, rather than the judges, which has still not been revealed in full.

Simon Cowell, who is heading the panel, has revealed one of the judges however - record executive and music producer Antonio 'L.A.' Reid.

He has helped launch the careers of stars including Mariah Carey, Pink, Rihanna, Kanye West and Justin Bieber.

Showing what she's got: Jordan Adelberger reveals her short red dress underneath her robe

She's got swagger: Kameron Kemp shows off her free-styling rapping abilities while another fan waves an LA Reid banner, one of the judges on the show


Today's crowd is a mixed bunch, with people ranging in age from 12 to the ripe old age of 87.

Maranda Jones, 16, from Huntington Beach, Los Angeles, plans to wow producers with a song she wrote herself.

The teen, who was joined by her father, said: 'I hope I'm good enough. I'm just so excited to be here. I know Simon wants confidence and if I give it everything I've got then I can't go wrong.

'I'm excited, not nervous,' she added confidently.

Far and wide: Antonia Duggar, left, travelled all the way from Liverpool in the UK to attend the auditions

Mixed crowd: A father and son duo arrived with a huge double bass in tow


Karen Turner, 18, from Newport Beach insisted she would not be fazed if she comes face-to-face with Cowell at a later audition.

'Simon doesn't scare me. I plan on intimidating him! That will shock him from the start!'

Paul Pointer, 54, is hoping X Factor will give him a chance to get recognition, despite his age.

He said: 'I want to thank Simon for giving people like me, my age the chance to live our dream.

'I might be older than most but I sure as hell ain't gonna let that stop me!'

Madding crowd: Teams of people arrived to the audition venue and the crowd is still growing


Across the swelling crowd, hopeful are waving banners as they excitedly wait to see if they will get the chance to audition.

One group had assembled a giant X out of fizzy drinks cans and there is also a hudge 3D stage where people can have their photographs taken.

There has been much speculation about who the other judges will be for the American version of X Factor, which kicks off in September on Fox.

Names touted have included former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger and George Michael.

Wave your hands in the air: Other hopefuls seen here waving their placards


Meanwhile, Cheryl Cole, who is a judge on the British show, is still very much in the frame to join the panel.

However some Fox executives are believed to be less than keen after audience focus groups showed that she was not that popular in the States.

The winner of the show will receive a Sony Music recording contract worth $5 million - which trumps the £1m deal offered on the British show.

The judges: So far Simon Cowell and LA Reid have been confirmed as judges on the U.S. panel


source:dailymail