What makes a winning X Factor mentor?

Success isn’t always solely about talent or hard work. For aspiring singers at The X Factor UK, winning is also a matter of mentorship.

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As mentors in their respective categories, judges play a huge part in guiding X Factor hopefuls from song selection to performance style—ultimately so contenders can play the game to their strengths and win the crowd.

The UK’s most talked-about talent show has given us judges who’ve not only brought excitement to audiences worldwide for the past 13 seasons, but have also raised contestants to the top of the competition. Here we list down some of the crucial factors that set a winning mentor apart from the rest of the judging panel.

Firm, honest criticism

The truth may hurt, but an X Factor mentor must be willing to evaluate singing performance without watering down facts: vocal weaknesses, poor song choices, lack of originality, and strengths that can be honed and exploited. A little kindheartedness is always appreciated, though it shouldn’t get in the way of good, honest feedback when it’s needed.

An artist by their own right

Being an accomplished performer is an advantage that can give X Factor judges an edge when it comes to mentoring. Whether it’s about singing technique or the choreography, a top-charting artist with plenty of experience on stage and on camera would definitely have much to contribute to creating a performance worthy of a standing ovation.

Years in the music industry

A winning mentor doesn’t always have to be a singer to know what makes or breaks a performance. Years of working with recording artists and entertainers would allow an X Factor judge to build a wealth of knowledge needed to assess talent and help aspirants flourish as performers. A background in music production is definitely a plus.

Unwavering support

In a contest that stirs a lot of nerves, emotional support goes a long way to helping X Factor hopefuls feel confident in their talent as well as the hard work they’ve put in to advance in the competition. Even the slightest encouragement from a mentor can inspire contestants to believe in themselves more and do their best even in the face of an enormous audience.

This Season 14, who among our judges—Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger, Sharon Osbourne, and Louis Walsh—will bag the title of “winning mentor” and raise the next biggest artist to the top of the charts? Catch The X Factor Season 14 every Sunday and Monday at 10:30AM with primetime encore at 9:00PM, same day as the UK, first and exclusive on RTL CBS Entertainment.

RTL CBS Entertainment is available on SKYcable channels 53 (SD) and 196 (HD), SKYdirect channel 35, Destiny Cable channel 53 (Digital) and 89 (Analog), and Cablelink channels 37 (SD) and 313 (HD).