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Are the X Factor's John and Edward just terrible twins for the next big thing?
Friday, 9 October 2009
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From the moment John and Edward burst onto the X Factor stage with their faux-American accents and questionable singing ability, TV viewers have been obsessed with the two spiky-haired teenagers from Dublin.
Six months ago, they were completely unknown, with little more than a few talent contests under their belts. Now they are the talk of the tabloids -- and chat rooms.
The singing siblings have beaten thousands of wannabe stars and made it to the last 12 of ITV's flagship weekend show. But not all the X Factor judges were as impressed as their mentor Louis Walsh -- Simon Cowell famously branded them "vile little creatures" on the show.
In reality, identical twin brothers John Paul and Edward Grimes (17) from Lucan, Co Dublin, are well brought-up, middle-class boys. They went to King's Hospital, one of the country's most expensive schools, which charges €1,910 per term. They are currently enrolled at Dublin's Institute of Education, where fees are €6,950 for an academic year.
Their odyssey began in June, when the duo travelled to Glasgow for the first round of auditions for the show and made it through the gruelling boot camp before surviving another round at Louis Walsh's X Factor getaway in Tuscany. Since then, they have been busy honing their act. Tomorrow they will learn if they have progressed to the next stage when they perform in front of a live TV audience in London.
The Grime brothers wooed the Irish pop mogul with their rendition of the Backstreet Boys song 'As Long As You Love Me' when they first appeared on the show. Dannii Minogue (below) dismissed them as "the cockiest singers without a record deal" after their performance.
The first impression they left on the show's token grouch Simon Cowell was less then flattering. "They're vile little creatures who would step on their mother's head to have a hit," he said.
Echoing Cowell's thoughts, the twins' inclusion as one of the 12 X Factor finalists has been met with an enormous online backlash. A staggering 400 groups have been set up on social networking site Facebook with over 100,000 members calling for the brothers to be axed from the TV show.
Online support for the duo is not so impressive -- only 1,800 people have signed up to pledge their allegiance to them.
Among the mountain of comments left on Facebook, user Kate referred to the twins as "obnoxious, irritating little brats". Comments left on other pages are equally scathing: one member, Ben, pleaded "for the most insufferable contestants of all time to be shown the door".
However, their father John Grimes was quick to hit back at his sons' doubters. "My lads are great. We are all really proud of them and behind them 100pc," he said.
The twins' former athletics coach Ann McGee told the Irish Independent she got the impression that they have been putting on an act with the hope of gaining a place in the final. "From my experience they're lovely lads, and I think they are probably playing up to the camera," she said.
Jim D'Arcy, principal at the Institute of Education on Leeson St, Dublin, agreed: "I think their persona on the show must be a bit staged because they're not arrogant or anything like that, but it is getting them a lot of publicity."
The brothers have their own explanation for the polarising effect they have on viewers: "We're like frosted flakes -- some people are afraid to admit they like us," they told an Irish newspaper.
The public's long-standing fascination with the legions of fame-hungry contestants who have auditioned for the X Factor -- which is now in its sixth season -- has always been fickle.
One minute, they are the darlings of tabloid newspapers, plastered to the bedroom walls of an army of teenage girls, selling out stadium concerts and signing highly lucrative endorsement deals. Then, in an instant, they fade into obscurity.
For major record labels, the reality TV format is one way to guarantee profitability in the age of illegal file-sharing and dwindling CD sales. The incredible popularity of programmes such as X Factor, Pop Idol and Britain's Got Talent is a boon to the ailing music industry. It's certainly a much more cost-effective way of doing business than the old model of a record company investing in and nurturing an artist from scratch.
The modern formula seems a much better bet for record company executives as the acts essentially pay for themselves, through phone-in voting, merchandise, etc.
Are the Grimes brothers any different? Louis Walsh said that from a marketing point of view the brothers have the potential to make it in the cut-throat industry of disposable reality TV pop stars.
"They're not great singers, but they could be great pop stars," he said when asked if he thought they had what it takes to make it. He added: "It's a great marketing opportunity as we've never had identical twins make it so far in the show."
Whatever your opinion of the 'Brothers Grim', as a British tabloid dubbed them, they have made their mark.
It remains to be seen if Edward and John Grimes will end up headlining the O2 or playing weddings and kids' parties, but the world of reality TV will no doubt have many more willing participants to take their place should their 15 minutes of fame run out.
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Comments
82 Comments
I think theyre sweet, im a big fan, people should stop being mean!
Posted by Sophie | 30.10.09, 21:09 GMT
they are rubbish they have no talent they have stupid hair they should never of got throught the audditions what were u thinking louis walsh? this is a disgrace its a singing compettion not a talent show after rikki and miss frank have been booted out im losing the will to watch the show . I think after all this next year it might be stricly for me.
Posted by rhiannon | 27.10.09, 13:40 GMT
whoever votes for these people are extremely unintelligent when it comes to music, they are not bringing ' positive energy' to the show, they bringing complete NEGATIVE energy to the show, yes i am not the biggest fan of Miss Frank, But they should of been in rather than these 2 things. its not being nasty, its just having a bit of sense, i dont want to see these 2 on my television screen again, if these 2 win rather than Lucie Jones, or Danyl Johnson, theyre will be a large number of complaints.
Posted by Curtis | 26.10.09, 13:27 GMT
oh my god these boys are ruiining everyones chances and careers they are rubbish take your boys home and buy thema sand pit if they want to play games please
Posted by julie | 18.10.09, 22:11 GMT
well what can i say!!!!! these pair are unbelivable
mind would want to buy there album, Id rather slit my wrists, Get them out.
Posted by taylor | 17.10.09, 22:09 GMT
I love John And Edward and i hope they win. Im backing them 100%. Go on guys i voting for you and also your HOT!!! Love You Guys. Don't worry about the doubters your funny and cool. Lovee Youu xxx
Posted by kiera | 14.10.09, 16:31 GMT
erm i love john and edward, they are funny and seem like nice lads SO SUCK IT
Posted by deanne | 14.10.09, 09:49 GMT
they are the worst finnallist in x fator history
Posted by john and edward hater | 14.10.09, 08:50 GMT
I love John and Edward! people are so horrible about them. Talk about contestants should be confined to their singing ability, not their ablility to be funny or something. They deserve just as much chance as the other contestants! GO J and E!
Posted by Clem | 13.10.09, 21:04 GMT
john and edward are the cutest boys in the world watch when jack met john and edward on youtube there so cute and funny im glad there through everyone else is so emitoinel crying and all but there so funny i would by the album :)
Posted by johnandedwardlover | 13.10.09, 19:59 GMT
I think that they're fun. They have talent, that's for sure. Sure, they may not be the best singers, but great entertainers (As Robbie Williams is).
I like the positive, young, vibrant and fun energy that comes off of them.
I can understand why some may be annoyed at them getting through, but honestly - Get over it. If you think you could do any better, why not give it a go yourself? No - Didn't think so.
And to all of the John & Edward supporters that are saying ''ZOMG I <3 dem dey r gr8'', please - You're part of the reason that they're disliked. If you want to express your support then do so in a slightly humane manner and at least attempt to use proper grammar, then maybe the old fogies won't pick on the Twilight Twins anymore :P
Does anyone else think that? They look like they should be actors on a Twilight film if anything?
Posted by Optimize | 13.10.09, 18:53 GMT
I love them so much i marry them lol
Posted by Hannah | 13.10.09, 15:42 GMT
John + Edward are AWSOME!
Posted by Katie | 13.10.09, 13:27 GMT
Just for winding up Simon\Cheryl I’d say keep them in! They look great, have the fun factor and entertain (ok they need to improve the voices) – they’re still getting my vote X2! We all know they’re not going to win but I think there are some boring acts that should go first - and I enjoyed them more than watch Robbie prancing about...
Posted by Reese | 13.10.09, 09:39 GMT
I love them. They are perfect entertainment and absolutely hilarious. And they're not as bad as they're made out to be. They're not the best singers in the competition, but they CAN hold a tune. They're funny! I think people need to lighten up.
Posted by Amy | 12.10.09, 23:55 GMT
I'm not going to watch a single minute of the X-Factor while they are still in. Out of the 10s of thousands of people who tried to get through, they don't deserve to be there based on either talent or character. Louis put them through because they are blonde Irish boys. Reading some of the comments and the poor use of English I can only assume that they appeal to a brain dead section of the population.
Posted by Craig | 12.10.09, 21:12 GMT
awkk ii love em .. there bbes .. Good luckk .
Posted by shannon | 12.10.09, 19:06 GMT
They're just kids and being used by the X factor to gain publicity- admit it- they have got people talking. 100,000 in facebook groups in the first week... arguments between the judges, perfect for viewer ratings....
I'm starting to feel sorry for them... I think they have been told how to act... it's all what they're being asked to do. I think people are being way too harsh on them... they're just kids after a bit of fame... they're groomed by Simon Cowell to act like pricks so people will watch.
Posted by ZOE | 12.10.09, 18:38 GMT
I love them!
I don't understand why people are being so horrible towards them, there's a difference in having opinions & being nasty.
At the end of the day they are two 17 year olds out to have a good time & enjoying themselves & not hurting anyone so leave them alone!
Love them, keep the fun coming :)
Posted by Lauren | 12.10.09, 14:42 GMT
The twins make me smile with their chatter and I thought their performance was one of the most entertaining too. Very hard for anyone to dance and sing and they were bouncing all over the place. Jeepers they are only 17!
Simon, who I normally support 100% probably inadvertently set off this hate campaign with his comments.
I thought they were great fun ...I notice Danyl, who I voted for, struggled badly with his bit in the group song but no one commented on that! Very bad for the audience to boo as well. Good luck twins on that performance I think I might change my vote to you guys.
Posted by Bron | 12.10.09, 14:22 GMT
82 Comments