To think that very few celebrities have the 'x factor'

[Bargaincatfood]

not an intellectual thread
Especially not most of those who won the show?! I remember the year 1direction were in it, my friends and I used to watch it before going out. We used to talk about the curly haired one, he wasn't that good looking, wasn't the best singer or the best dancer but my god was he mesmerising. Even my mum commented on him. Now he's the only one out of that insanely popular band with any semblance of a career.
It makes me think how few celebrities there are with that utterly mesmerising, star quality, where they're the only person you pay attention to on stage. It's hard to distinguish this from talent, obviously you pay attention to someone with an amazing voice. But that's not enough on it's own, as poor Leona found out.
I used to think it about Corrine Bailey Rae too, she was just so unique in tone and beautiful, but then she faded into oblivion so i mustn't have been in the majority.

Who has the X factor for you?

The problem with Jessica Chastain is that while she's an amazing actress she comes across as a bit cold on screen and in person. Also while obviously she's a stunning looking women she's not sexy. I can't imagine her playing the Sharon Stone role in Basic Instinct or even the Rosamund Pike role in Gone Girl for example.

She did do Miss Sloane and it didn't work for that reason.

I used to have the same opinion of Amy Adams but since seeing her in American Hustle have changed my mind.

It may just be the roles and scripts nowadays are more focus grouped and bland.

I think people with charisma break the mold and go against what's in the mainstream. I know they weren't the first grunge band by any means but Nirvana hit at the right time, also Prince, Madonna, Adam Ant, Sex Pistols. They may not have been the best in their genres (except Prince - he was 😬) but they all exploded. Someone needs to be brave and do something new.

I think Jessica Chastain is a fantastic actress. I don't care if she's not massively engaging as herself. That just means she's an even better actress when she chooses to switch it on. Nobody is "on" all the time.

I think a lot of this has to do with perspective, and the eras you live through and how certain films affected you, perhaps how uncynical you were at the time, rather than any objective fact.

I have grown up with the stars of the last twenty years or so and honestly, there are lots of actors I find very charismatic, whereas a lot of the stars of bygone eras, including lots of the one's mentioned here, leave me quite cold. It's all to do with the time in your life that you properly absorb things and buy into them.

I do agree somewhat about musicians, though, but I think that has more to do with the way the industry has changed and leant away from eccentricity. I don't think there was ever much eccentricity in Hollywood.

Madonna - like or loathe, she’s got IT in buckets. Always has.

Beyoncé has it when she’s being Sasha Fierce but less so ‘off duty’.

Bruce Forsyth! I once saw him entertain an audience whilst waiting for a show to begin. It was off the cuff and unscripted. It was incredible - he had the entire 500 people in the pan of his hand. Never seen anything like it before or since.

*palm

I think the problem now is that celebrities are bland because they’re so frightened of offending anyone, the people behind the celebrities who make their money from them are similarly concerned about their puppet upsetting someone and losing an income stream.

Looks, compliance, availability, willingness to play the game, appearances on reality tv, willingness to set up shots with the paparazzi, turning up to the opening of an envelope. Those with the X factor don’t need to do this sort of thing (but unfortunately seem to be increasingly pushed down this route. Those with the X factor draw your attention on stage just by being there. They have a godhead glow when the chose to turn it on.

Freddie Mercury, lady gaga, axl rose, Robbie Williams, Stephen fry, David Walliams, Bruce Dickinson, Dave grohl, all have the X factor,they appear, you take notice. All have something that you can’t quite put your finger on, but all have a real underlying talent rather than empty fame.

As Bruce Dickinson once said “fame is the excrement of creativity”.

Dare I suggest Joan Collins? Not the best actress by a long chalk, but definitely oozes old style glamour. And I love that she doesn’t give a fuck and will say exactly what comes into her head. I doubt she’s particularly pleasant to deal with though.

I struggled to think who you were talking about OP because I couldn't think of anyone in 1d who is charismatic. And it's definitely not Harry. I think the issue with slebs today is often lack of mystique. We know too much about them, we see them too often, over exposure

@dayswithaY

How do you explain the success of Adele? She has now reached God-like status with every TV station here and in USA bowing down to her, Oprah interview, etc. This baffles me, what is it about her? Is she really any better at singing/performing than other current female singers?

To me, she doesn't have the X factor. That is a quality that draws you towards them like Kylie, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga.

Adele just stands and sings.

Adele's talent has got her her fame. Her songs about breakups resonated with so many. That plus she kept her private life fairly private (apart from in her songs obvs) so I feel she had a little bit of mystery about her.

Adele has a bit of mystery about her? What?

@Brainstorm21

Adele has a bit of mystery about her? What?

Not now, but she used to. She's jumped on the LA bandwagon now, insta q&a, Oprah etc.

I think Beyonce, Mariah Carey and Rihanna have this in spades. Just something so electric about them. Though the first two are immensely talented.

I don't get the poor Leona reference, I think she's doing just fine TBH.

I can't really think of any celebrities that I think have the X factor and real charisma. Harry Styles would have done it for me as a 16 year old probably in the same way John Taylor did, but can't see it now at my age.

I agree that Joan Collins has something but is at the same time slightly terrifying.

Matthew McConaghey. Absolute star quality. Julia Roberts is the same. When they smile, you can’t help but smile back. For me, anyway.

The Beatles, together and as individual members. They had some amazing songs but some shite too in my opinion. Their voices were also average but they will never be matched.
I also think Liz Hurley has that special star quality and she is absolutely stunning.

In terms of actors, I think Jennifer Lawrence a d Michael Fassbender both have that star quality thing - I think they are both really, really talented and very compelling when on screen. MF in 12 years a Slave and in Hunger, was amazing. JL just has 'it' - she's great to watch.

Cate Blanchett for me. She is a total chameleon and has incredible range.
Her first Elizabeth was mesmerising- she played old, young, vulnerable and heartless in one film.
She also has the kind of face that can at times look plain and then incredibly striking.
She does have that old movie star appeal.
Another is Eva Green- I love that she can be so different in her French films.

Men right now is harder. On a TV level right now I find the Culkin brother who plays Roman in Succession fabulous- to me he really dominates the cast.

It’s totally subjective. For example, I thought and still do think that One Direction were a gormless bunch and it was clever marketing that got them their success, not talent or even looks. Totally average boys.

I thin social media has killed a lot of that Hollywood mystique that goes some way towards making star quality. Beyoncé used to have it - gorgeous, talented, private - but now she’s just another friend showing off her arse on Instagram. Cheapens the image, as she has become interchangeable with talentless individuals like the Kardashians, Madonna is similar (although not private, she, she always retained some mystery).

Looks do help, of course. Angelina Jolie is an average actress, but I find her face utterly enchanting.

[quote Bargaincatfood]@KatherineJaneway not for men, Ed Sheeran, Lewis Capaldi, Frank from Arctic Monkeys, they're hardly lookers. I think unfortunately this doesn't apply to many women, Amy Winehouse and Adele aren't conventionally attractive but they have a lot of talent and charisma. I think it has set them apart in a world of Ariana's.[/quote]
Don't know Lewis or Frank so can't comment on them. However Ed didn't have a record company backing him initially. He gained fans via YouTube and collaborations over time building his base up. He got a break and started selling really quickly so no need to change his looks as they clearly not a barrier to massive sales. There are different standards for men and women in music though.

friend = celeb

@Artesia

Do you not think over-exposure plays a huge part too? There's no magic or mystery about "stars" any more- the paps photograph them filling their cars with petrol, doing their shopping, pulling a funny face.

Yeah I agree, and with posting their lives on social media.

Ed Sheeran come across as a nice bloke but a bit boring. Adele seems a bit of a laugh but I'm not bowled over by her music particularly.

I'll probably get torn apart but I don't get the hype around Beyonce.

Freddie Mercury for sure
Dave Grohl definitely
Don't like Kylie's voice at all.

Very sad to read about Corinne Bailey Rae
I remember her and thought she'd be massive.