14 DAY TRIAL // The world of televised music competitions is about to change for good, if rapper Eminem sees his wish granted. The popular X Factor show, for instance, needs more “global stars” on the panel of judges, Em says in a recent interview cited by the Guardian, which is why he’d be more than interested in acting as a guest judge.
Until just recently holding everything mainstream in utter disdain, Eminem seems to have had a change of heart and would be willing to help aspiring singers, and rappers in particular, get their big break in the industry. Consequently, if Simon Cowell were to ask him to appear on the panel as a guest judge, Eminem would not say no because, this way, he would know for certain aspiring stars would get a good dose of reality, as opposed to what is happening right now.
“No disrespect to the current judges but you need people who are global, platinum-selling stars. You need to prepare contestants for what it’s really like out there, and what sort of pressure you are going to be under,” Eminem says in the interview cited by the prestigious British publication. At the moment, the judges on X Factor include Simon Cowell, Girls Aloud member Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh. Of them, only Simon comes close to what the contestants need, the rapper believes.
“So much average talent comes out of these reality shows. A hip-hop star will never win a show like the X Factor without somebody like me on the panel. It needs somebody in power to open a door for them. I’m not sure I would have the time to do it full-time, but I would come out and be a guest judge. Simon tells it like it is and I am down with that,” Eminem adds in the same interview.
As of now, Simon Cowell, who also owns the rights to the show aside from being its most high-profile judge, has not yet made any comment regarding Eminem’s offer. Should he take him up on it, though, it is certain the show will see a rise in audience numbers, estimates say.