http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/08/17/12/x-factor-ph-judge-martin-says-hes-no-simon-cowell
Charice-related article - 'X Factor PH' judge Martin says he's no Simon Cowell
'X Factor PH' judge Martin says he's no Simon Cowell
ABS-CBNnews.com
Posted at 08/17/2012 1:15 PM | Updated as of 08/17/2012 7:29 PM



MANILA, Philippines - Concert King Martin Nievera said he cannot be like "The X Factor" and former "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell, who is known for his blunt and snarky criticisms.

Nievera, one of the four judge-mentors in ABS-CBN's "The X Factor Philippines,"believes that the local audience will not tolerate "that kind of arrogance."

"You can't do that here. I mean, I get tweets all the time that we should be more critical, we should be meaner to our contestants. Why?" he said in an interview on ANC's "Headstart" on Friday.

The Concert King then admitted that it is difficult to judge contestants in "The X Factor Philippines," which is touted as the country's biggest singing competition.

This after some people lambasted mentor-judge Charice for voting to eliminate versatile crooner Mark Mabasa from the competition.

Another judge, Gary Valenciano, was also criticized for giving only positive comments during the Top 11 performance show last Saturday.

"Well, it's hard to be a judge because you are being judged, too. That's the worst thing about being a judge. You are the most judged in the industry and in that TV show because everyone is better and knows better than you do," he said.

Asked who among the contestants impressed him, Nievera said: "There's a girl named KZ (Tandingan). She's got everything that 'X Factor' talks about. I hope that text voters will agree. If you do, then she would win 'The X Factor.' It depends on the texters."

He once again reminded viewers of "The X Factor Philippines" to vote for their favorite contestants.