'X Factor' Judges Tell Patch They Love Newark, Jersey

Fans of the new Fox show "X Factor" lined the barricades of the Prudential Center in Thursday afternoon's sweltering heat for day two of auditions, while also hoping to catch a glimpse of the show's celebrity judges.

Newark is the third city to host auditions after visits to Los Angeles and Chicago.

Created by Simon Cowell, the British television show has met the same success that "American Idol" has received in the U.S. Similar to "Idol," the contestant is judged by a panel who then vote on a winner who will receive a $5 million recording contract.

This season's judges include Cowell, music executive Antonio "L.A." Reid, former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul.

"I'm so happy that we came here. I absolutely love it," said Cowell about filming in Newark. "I don't know what it is, but it's something in the air here. It has the right attitude."

Reid agreed. "I love Newark," he said. "I'm a New Yorker right now. I'm not exactly sure why the decision was made (to be held in Newark) but I'm happy that it was."

Around 1 p.m., both Scherzinger and Reid arrived to the welcoming of more than 100 screaming fans and members of the media. Abdul and Cowell arrived an hour later, where fans were moved inside the atrium of Prudential Center because of the heat.

Scherzinger, whose first day of judging took place during the last two days, said she was excited, but also a little nervous to begin her role as a judge. 

"Yesterday, I was ranked at a thousand on nervousness," she said. "I was happy to take on the role as a host, but when they told me about being a judge, I couldn't have been more ecstatic and it's such a great opportunity."

Despite the new lineup of judges, all four admitted that auditions were going incredibly well and were impressed by the talent that came out of the people of New Jersey.

"The auditions have been going great. There's a lot of great talent in the New Jersey area," said Reid. "On a scale from one to ten, I'm going to say an eight-and-a-half."

Luis Torres, 20, of Newark, said he had come as part of Fred's Team, a New York City-based cancer awareness group. He said "X Factor" paid the group to come as part of the show's charity efforts.

"I think it's going to be a great experience," he said.

Abdul said the audience "has been off the charts amazing." "(They're) great looking, great attitude, funny, serious and annoying," she said.

Even Cowell, the proposed "American Idol" "bad guy," known the world over for his obnoxious ways, seemed to get a taste of the New Jersey attitude when a 14-year-old contestant told him to concentrate after catching him chatting with Reid in the middle of his audition.

Afterwards, Cowell admitted that working with Abdul again was "irritating, but good." The duo were judges on "American Idol" and have been rumored to be dating.

When asked if everyone was getting along, Abdul answered, "We're laughing a lot."