Saved: X Factor bosses were under pressure to disqualify contestant Katie Waissel after it emerged she has recorded a jazz album in the US, but the decided to keep her in the competition
X Factor hopeful Katie Waissel has learned she will be allowed through to the next round of the hit talent show, the Daily Mail has learned.
The 24-year-old Madonna lookalike wowed the audience and won over Cheryl Cole in the opening episode, securing a place in the next round – despite the fact her nerves nearly got the better of her.
But X Factor bosses came under pressure to disqualify her after it emerged she actually had a record deal in America that she had signed earlier this year under the name of Lola Fontaine.
At the time, a man claiming to be her manager called Jason Silverman revealed that she was signed to a two-record deal with Chamberlain Records and was about to release a record in Los Angeles.
This prompted fears that the hair salon receptionist from Harewood, Herts, would be banned from judges houses auditions – the final round before the live shows next month.
Katie scraped through to boot camp after performing At Last by Etta James after originally fluffing her lines to Queens We Are The Champions after begging Simon Cowell to give her another chance.
US deal: The Madonna lookalike signed a two-year contract under the name Lola Fontaine. Her album is due to be released shortly
When Cheryl Cole asked her what experience she had, Katie replied: 'I sing all the time... anywhere that will have me I sing. I sing on trains with my guitar... I sing in the salon,' but failed to reveal her substantial professional experience, that also included her own YouTube show.
The X Factor has strict rules about contestant’s previous musical work – they face disqualification if they have a music management contract.
At the time a spokesman said: ‘We are looking to the whole thing to see if a contract does exist and if there is found to be one, what the wording is.'
YouTube star: Katie also appeared in her own series, Green Eyed World, which showed her moving to New York to sing. It received 155,000 views
But show bosses were today able to come to an agreement with her record company and gave the 24-year-old the news that she would be going to the judge's house stage with the other hopefuls.
In addition to her recording deal, Miss Waissel also appeared in YouTube show Green Eyed World last year, as Katie Vogel.
The 14-part series followed Katie travelling to New York to pursue her dream of singing.
It was produced by Sprite and received 155,000 hits. But canny viewers on YouTube were sceptical of the singer long ago, with one commenter posting 'this is just a fake show on YouTube'.
Difficult position: Pixie Lott was forced to choose whether to end a teenager's dreams when she sat alongside Cheryl Cole, Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh
There are just four seats on the X Factor panel, but it was thanks to a whole roomful of judges that one teen made his way through to the bootcamp round on tonight's X Factor.
Tom Richards, 16, was initially told he'd be going home when Simon Cowell and guest judge Pixie Lott rejected his 'dated' dance moves.
But the audience loved the talented Welsh singer, and their chants of 'Pixie say yes' persuaded the teen pop star to change her mind.
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High hopes: Tom, 16, was saved from elimination from the X Factor when the audience started chanting 'say yes' and convinced Pixie Lott to change her mind Pixie, who replaced Dannii Minogue for the auditions in Cardiff, was given the casting vote when Tom's version of The Scripts song Man Who Can't Be Moved divides the judges.
Cheryl Cole labelled his act is 'a little bit contrived' but admitted he was one of the best singers they had seen all day.
Cowell was unimpressed while Louis Walsh told him to cut out the 'silly stage antics.'
Dancing boy: But while his singing was impressive, Tom's stage moves left the judges cold But after lobbying from his family backstage the shaken teenager ignored their advice and sang This Is The Moment from the Jekyll and Hyde musical, only for Cowell to tell him he could not 'have chosen a worse song.'
The vote was split with Louis and Cheryl giving him the go-ahead and Cowell saying no, telling him: 'That was what I would call a boyband performance from five or six years ago.'
Pixie admitted it was a 'really hard' decision.
She said: 'I find this really hard as I don’t know where I’d put you in the music industry today. It feels like you were...not dated, but not right for this time.'
She decided to go with her 'gut instinct and say no', but was left with Louis and the audience pleading with her to change her mind.
As the chants of 'Pixie say yes' grew louder, and the crowd got to their feet, she bowed to the pressure with a smile.
Also on tonight's show was Kash, a phone salesman, who left Pixie speechless with his version of Ne-Yo's Closer.
Flash man: Mobile phone salesman Kash during the Cardiff auditions
So bad: Bun nd Cheese have an 'attitude', but Simon likes them
The show then moves on to London where one of the highlights is girl group Bun Nd Cheese.
The trio - Pinky, Patty and Peas - have been singing together for two years and claim their karaoke versions of Beyonce, Mary J Blige and the Sugababes have won over the crowds.
Their version of Beyonce's Listen does not impress the judges but their attitude does, with Cowell telling them: 'Your attitude is so bad I actually quite like you.'
Diva? Nicolo, 21, impresses the judges, and thinks 'I'm amazing'
One act who does impress is 21-year-old Nicolo with Cowell and Walsh agreeing they could have 'a diva' on their hands.
He tells the presenters: 'Nobody has everything – the look, the style, the attitude and the voice.
'I think I could be that guy. It’s time to shake things up a little bit. What I think truly is that I’m amazing.'
Other contestants include a McDonald's worker who could have a future away from flipping burgers if her voice impresses the judges and a cinema usher looking for stardom.
'I don't like burgers': McDonlads worker Raquel wants to do more with her life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JglWZ-wC3Vkendofvid [starttext] By Sara Nathan
Wowing the judges: Cher Lloyd's audition impressed the panel
She exuded a confidence far beyond her tender years as she strutted around the stage during her X Factor audition.
But Cher Lloyd is the subject of concern among show insiders, who fear the teenager may not be tough enough to cope with the demands of the contest.
Fellow contestants have worries for the size six singer's health after she appeared 'frail and vulnerable' at the second round of auditions, Boot Camp, which has not yet been screened.
Cher, from Malvern, Worcestershire, was 16 when she auditioned for the ITV talent show earlier this year.
She sang and rapped to Turn My Swag On by Soulja Boy, and was put through to the next round after judge Cheryl Cole enthused: 'You are right up my street! You are actually my favourite audition so far.'
But a source told the Daily Mail of the boot camp auditions: ' Everyone was worried about Cher, she was extremely nervous and shaking at some points.
'She is quite bolshy on stage, but she sat by herself at lunch. She didn't eat much and looked frail and vulnerable as she was accompanied by a member of production.
'If she gets through to the live shows next month - which she is a shoo-in for - she will have to be given a bit of extra special attention. She is very young.'
All X Factor hopefuls meet a psychologist and are forced to undergo a detailed medical examination at the boot camp stage.
A production source insisted: 'We take great care with our contestants and ensure that they can cope with the strain that comes with taking part on the X Factor.
Difficult decision: Cher has the talent to be considered a 'shoe in' for the next stage, but show insiders are mindful of other concerns
'Yes, Cher is small, but we would never allow anyone on the show who we have concerns about. When the contestants are that bit younger, we do realise we have to take that bit of extra care.'
Mental health concerns: Shirlena Johnson was rejected by the show
X Factor chiefs are being extra vigilant after being forced to axe mother-of-one Shirlena Johnson from the show because psychiatrists said the pressure could be damaging to her mental health.
Cher, who is now 17, was watched by 12.5million people on Saturday and is already the 5/1 favourite to win the series, but has admitted she fears that her nerves will wreck her chances.
She said this week: 'I always get nervous before I sing, to the stage where people think I am not going to be able to do it.
'Then when I get on stage normally I am fine.'
Her grandfather John Lloyd yesterday revealed Cher had been rejected by the X Factor for the past two years. She did not even make it in front of the judges.
Mr Lloyd told the Mail: 'At this time she was influenced by the likes of Beyonce and Whitney Houston and sang ballady-type songs but she has found a niche and reinvented herself.
'She would want to be in Cheryl's group as she idolises her and the way she rose to fame.'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNUh-lqJ-UMendofvid [starttext] By Daily Mail Reporter
Pulling the punches: Abbey Johnstone left, and Lisa Parker come to blows on tonight's X Factor
Temper tantrums are nothing new on The X Factor but last night's show takes things to a whole new level when two contestants come to blows on stage.
Horrified Viewers saw aspiring singers Abbey Johnston and Lisa Parker, aka Ablisa, storm off to a chorus of boos before they even get as far as singing.
But after a poor performance of Shayne Ward's That's My Goal and managing to insult some of the judging panel, things turned sour when Abbey hit her friend across the face.
Fight night: Abbey hits out at Lisa after she made comments about Abbey having a crush on judge Louis Walsh
Outburst: Abbey claimed she hit her friend because she'd embarrassed them both
Abbey claimed she was angry with Lisa after her rude response to some gentle criticism from guest judge Natalie Imbruglia by demanding: 'Who are you, may I ask?' Simon Cowell takes the pair to task, telling them they have 'the worst attitude' of any contestants ever and things go from bad to worse as Abbey lashes out at Lisa before leaving the stage.
A show spokesman said producers broke up the 'heated' dispute during auditions filmed at Birmingham's LG Arena in June.
The friends, from Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, also attempted to sing Journey's Don't Stop Believin'.
'Pass on to them it's four No's': Simon and the judges converse with producers after the girls storm off the stage
Tantrums: The duo stormed off stage after they were booed by the crowd
Abbey said she hit her friend after Lisa falsely claimed she had the hots for judge Louis Walsh.
Lisa told Louis: 'Abbey thinks she's fit... even though you're old.'
When the crowd booed them, the duo stormed off stage before returning again
Backstage, a furious Lisa and Abbey were separated from each other, with host Dermot O'Leary telling the latter 'you cannot strike people'.
Abbey admitted she was angry after Lisa spoke rudely to Natalie, saying: 'It's the last time I ever do anything for her again.'
Calm down: X Factor host Dermot O'Leary tells Abbey 'you cannot strike people' as she is separated from Lisa backstage
Excuses: Lisa claimed she wasn't trying to offend Imbruglia, saying 'I didn't know who she is'
There are stormy times for one contestant who annoys Cowell when he admits to changing his name for a more rock 'n' roll version.
Scottish-born Storm Lee, or Lee Gardner as he was once known, came all the way from Los Angeles in a bid to make his name.
He started off with a soulful rendition of The Police's Every Breath You Take, but was stopped by Cowell who advised him to sing something else.
But Cowell clearly isn't impressed, telling him: 'I'm not going to call you Storm any more, because I think it's a stupid name. I'm gonna call you Lee.
'This performance is crazy. Just sing the song and sing like you've never sung before.'
Causing a Storm: Simon Cowell tells the singer who changed his name from Lee Gardner that he can't take him seriously on tonight's show
'Parisian Jedward': Brothers Samir and Medhi had the crowd on their feet, but Simon told Louis off for 'creating a monster' with last year's Jedward
Cheryl ended up telling Simon off, saying it was 'very rude' not to call Storm by his legal name.
After singing U2's I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Louis told Storm: 'I thought you had a great voice.'
Cheryl agreed, but Simon insisted the 'character' he had created wasn't working for him... but still said yes.
There is also an appearance by a French version of Jedward.
Twem, made up of twins Samir and Medhi, travelled all the way from Paris to tackle Lady Gaga's Let's Dance.
Second time lucky: 16-year-old Liam Payne was back after getting through to Simon's house in Barbados in 2008
Blown away: The teen impressed with Cry Me a River and received a standing ovation from Simon and Natalie Imbruglia
Teenage girls have a new hearthrob in 16-year-old Liam Payne, who returned to the show after making it through to the judge's houses round in 2008. At the time Simon told him he wasn't ready.
The determined teen said before his second attempt, 'I know what it's like to get thrown out, and I don't want to go through that again.' Heblew the judges away with 'Cry Me a River', and was sent straight through by the judges.
Another 16-year-old, Cher Lloyd made it through to the next round, but in contrast to Liam's fresh-faced innocence, the confident contestant swaggered her way through a provocative rendition of Turn My Swag On, by Soulja Boy.
The youngster, dressed in ripped jeans and boots, struck a chord with Cheryl, who said she was 'right up my alley'.
Pixie Lott will appear in next week's show as she joins the judging panel in Cardiff.
Confident: Cher Lloyd another 16-year-old took a more provocative approach with Soulja Boy's Turn My Swag On
'Right up my alley': Cheryl was particularly impressed with the teen, who sported a matching hand tattoo
Not amused: Simon Cowell was woken by drunken X Factor contestants who ruined his rented villa in Marbella, Spain
Rowdy X Factor contestants have ruined Simon Cowell's rented luxury villa in Spain.
He was left furious after they caused thousands of pounds worth of damage and drank his vintage champagne and imported beer.
The 50-year-old is staying in a 20-bedroom villa in Marbella, where he is 'mentoring' this year's X Factor hopefuls.
The property - which also boasts three pools, a cinema and a gym - costs Cowell £15,000 a day.
But problems started on Sunday night when contestants raided his drinks bar and finished his champagne and Sapporo beer that he had flown in from Japan.
Afterwards they swam in the sea and then stumbled back to their rooms, trampling over furniture and wrecking a £5,000 Persian rug. Antique and designer furniture was covered in sand and stained by sea water.
A show source said: 'It was chaos. It is thousands of pounds of damage. They were just very excited and things got out of hand.'
Cowell was woken up by the partying into the early hours. He said yesterday: 'Yes they did wake me up.
'Any damage will have to be paid out of their first royalty cheque if they make it - to teach them a lesson.'
Cowell also spoke about controversies hitting the show including his decision to ban auto tune and the expulsion of Shirlena Johnson.
The first episode of the new series featured a number of auditions where singers voices were adjusted to sound better than they actually were.
Possible reprieve: X Factor bosses are considering allowing Shirlena Johnson, pictured with her daughter, back on the show after she was dropped when fears arose about her health
Producers were accused of regularly using the technology but Cowell insisted it was only used in the 'extreme conditions' of the auditions where contestants brought poor quality backing tracks and the crowd noise could drown them out.
He confirmed the technology would not be used again, adding: 'And to say we were using it to cheat is nonsense.'
Cowell also said that axed contestant Shirlena Johnson may get a reprieve and a chance to come back on the show.
She was dropped from the series after a medical report and the show doctor said she may not be able to able to cope with the stress of the contest.
Trashed: Cowell's 20-bedroom villa in Marbella, which X Factor hopefuls who were staying there have ruined
Serenading: Cheryl Cole was serenaded by 23-year-old lifeguard Stephen Concannon during his audition
It was eye candy aplenty in The X Factor tonight, when Cheryl Cole was serenaded by a lifeguard and guest judge Katy Perry ordered him to take his shirt off.
As soon as Stephen Concannon, 23, took to the stage, he had the attention of the audience and the judging panel as he told them he was a lifeguard, to which Katy replied: 'Honey, I'm drowning! Save me please!'
And, after Stephen serenaded Cheryl during his audition, leaving the stage to sing directly to her and kiss her on the hand, Katy decided she wanted a piece of the action - telling him she would only put him through to the next round if he took his shirt off.
Eye candy: Stephen's performance went down well with all the judges... except Simon
He promptly obliged, leaving Cheryl, Katy and the female members of the audience swooning with his six pack and muscly physique.
And Stephen wasn't the only act who caught Cheryl's attention.
Eye candy also came in the form of boyband The Reason who chose to perform their own unique version of Cheryl's hit single Fight For This Love.
Off, off, off! Katy told Stephen she would only put him through to the next round if he took his top off
Ok then! Stephen duly obliged, delighting the audience with his rippling muscles and six pack
With original harmonies and no cheesy choreography, the performance astounded the judges, with Simon Cowell saying they were the best group he had seen this year.
But he did say that he hoped Louis Walsh wouldn't be mentoring the groups, adding: 'If Louis was mentoring you it would be suits, bowties and Could It Be Magic?'
And while Stephen and The Reason went down well with the crowd, this evening's X Factor didn't get off to a good start in Dublin, with guest judge Katy left wondering why she had travelled across the pond to join Cheryl, Simon and Louis on the panel.
Boy band: The Reason were also well received by the audience as they performed their own version of Cheryl's hit single Fight For This Love
Original: Simon said the band were the best group he had seen so far this year
Before the first auditionee took to the stage, Katy said: 'I can't wait to spot a star, some kind of diamond in the rough.'
First up was boyband Temple Fire, who compared themselves to Take That before performing their own unique version of Wham's Wake Me Up Before You Go Go.
Before taking to the stage, Temple Fire said: 'We've known each other for 10 years.
We rehearse for around five hours a day, sometimes six, to make sure everything is perfect.
Not so good: But Irish boyband Temple Fire didn't go down too well with the judges, with Simon asking if their performance was a joke
Terrible: The group's performance of Wham's Wake Me Up Before You Go Go was described as 'hideous'
'We are going to take the stage and own the stage. Most boybands can just stand here and sing, but we can sing and dance and everything.'
The five piece group, who wore matching T-shirts bearing their band name, even left Cheryl speechless with their out-of-tune performance, complete with cringe-making dance moves.
Following their audition, Simon said: 'That was not serious was it? Oh, give me a break.'
He then added to Irish judge Louis: 'You know what Louis, I'm holding you responsible for this.'
Guest judge: Katy Perry's inclusion on the panel went down incredibly well with her fellow judges
Not impressed: At the beginning of the Dublin auditions, Cheryl and Simon looked unimpressed by the 'talent'
Needless to say, the group got four nos from the judges.
After the first few auditions, Katy, who wore a pretty blue and silver dress: 'It's going to get better, right? I came all the way here for this!'
But it didn't get better straight away, with 32-year-old student Michael McCarthy, 47-year-old pub singer Noel O'Keefe and a man dressed as a tiger all getting four nos from the judges.
While Cheryl, Katy and Louis started to get a bit happier when they saw the standard of talent increase, Simon appeared to be refusing to give anyone a yes, telling Louis: 'I haven't liked anyone.'
As girl group Sugar Bullet and singer Sadbh O'Donnell failed to win over Simon, it wasn't until unemployed hairdresser Rebecca Creighton sang Pixie Lott's Cry Me Out that the music mogul cheered up.
After Simon said yes, Louis laughed: 'Rebecca, thank you for coming in, you may have saved the day for me.'
Four nos: Michael McCarthy (left) and pub singer Noel O'Keefe didn't get through to the next round
It was the arrival of Tesco till worker Mary Byrne, however, that really got the judges' attention.
Before going on, Mary said: 'I always sing at the till, I get told to shut up by the staff. I want to be a legend by Shirley Bassey and Tom Jones.
'I would love to be a singer, it's only been in the last few years I have got the courage back to do it.'
While appearances can be deceiving, Mary left the judges and audience astounded as she sang Tom Jones' I Who Have Nothing, hitting every note and receiving a standing ovation from the delighted crowd.
Till worker: Mary Byrne has already been nicknamed the 'new SuBo' and left the judges astounded by her performance of Tom Jones's I Who Have Nothing
Amazing: Cheryl said her performance was 'full to the brim of power, emotion and passion'
Following her perfomance, Cheryl said: 'That was my favourite audition of Dublin so far. It was full to the brim of power and emotion and passion.'
Simon added: 'I think it's quite important that what we say does affect you, and I think you have the best voice out of everyone who has auditioned today. Seriously seriously good. And more than that, I really like you.'
After getting four yeses, an emotional Mary said: 'It has made me a better person today.'
Ladies' night: Girl group Sugar Bullet divided the judges, with Simon saying they were as boring as watching paint dry
Four yeses: Unemployed hairdresser Rebecca was the first act to get a yes from Simon, and four yeses overall
Next up was 27-year-old painter-decorator Matt from Essex, who said he wanted to get through to the next stage because: 'This opportunity would mean the end of Magnolia all over my face and hands!'
Singing Amy Winehouse's You Know That I'm No Good, Matt received a rapturous applause from the audience, with Louis saying he was 'surprised' by his voice but adding that he looked awkward on stage.
Simon gave Matt an 'almighty yes', while Louis and Cheryl also put him through to the next round.
The auditions then moved to London, where Michael Jackson impersonator Michael Lewis, 26, was the first act to take to the stage.
My idol: Michael Lewis took to the stage dressed as his idol Michael Jackson and performed Rock Wit U
Jeered: But his performance wasn't received well by the audience, who booed and jeered him throughout
Wearing a military jacket similar to the one previously sported by Jackson, Michael said he had been inspired to try out for the show by his idol.
He said: 'Michael Jackson is my inspiration. To me he is more than just a musical artist - he is a God, he is a way of life.
'There has been a few times when I have felt Michael Jackson's spirit and I feel like he is telling me to share my love of music.'
Glee-inspired: Group Seven wowed the crowd with their Lady Gaga medley and got through to bootcamp
Sexy ladies: Girlband Husstle delighted the judges, especially Simon, who praised their choreography
But his rendition of Rock Wit U didn't go down too well with the audience, who started booing him when he told them: 'There's a lot of negativity in the room'.
However, his determination to listen to the judges and ignore the audience didn't help him, and he was given four nos.
Next up was boyband The Reason, who delighted Cheryl by performing their own unique version of her hit single Fight For This Love.
Second time lucky: Annastasia Baker was given the chance to perform an Adele song after failing to impress with her rendition of Tina Turner's Proud Mary
Upset: Annastasia had previously got through to the judges' houses stage of the show in 2008
London saw a whole host of bands who thought they had the X Factor, including Glee-inspired group Seven, sexy girlband Husstle and boy band Princes & Rogues, who all got through to bootcamp.
Not a good look: Simon made Annastasia take off her shoes for her second song
A familiar face was on the stage next in the form of Annastasia Baker, 21, who made it through to the judges' houses stage in 2008 but wasn't taken through by Cheryl.
While her shoes distracted Simon as soon as she came on for her audition, her performance of Tina Turner's Proud Mary was even less popular with the music mogul, who told her: 'This is like one of those terrible Tina Tuner impersonation acts.
I've seen trannies do better versions than that.'
But Simon decided to give Annastasia a second chance, after making her take her white shoes off, and she sang Adele's Make You Feel My Love.
The emotional track went down a lot better with the judges, with Cheryl saying: 'I think you did a fantastic audition', and Louis also praising her.
And despite Simon telling her she sang like a cabaret singer, he eventually said yes - giving her three yeses and putting her through to the next stage.
Clean-up: Simon Cowell has banned auto-tuning technology, which was used to tweak the vocals of 18-year-old contestant Gamu Nhengu, right
Simon Cowell has banned auto-tuning on The X Factor after the row over tampering with performers' vocals.
In a widespread clean-up of the show, he also scrapped this week's planned episode at the last minute as it did not meet his strict criteria, the Daily Mail has learned.
Instead, an episode that was due to be shown later in the series will be broadcast on Saturday evening.
Cowell, 50, said: 'People have got to be able to trust The X Factor - we are not faking anything.
'People love this show, millions watch it every week and we absolutely respect that, we never take it for granted.'
Cowell has spent the week locked in talks with producers after it emerged that some hopefuls on last Saturday's series opener, including 18-year-old Gamu Nhengu, had their vocals tweaked using auto-tuning software. More than 300 fans complained to ITV.
Last night a source close to Cowell said: 'From now on, nothing is going to be done to the sound on The X Factor.
'It's not been the greatest week and Simon was up till 3am on Thursday morning working on the show. Two shows are edited concurrently and he made the decision that viewers need to have the best show this week.'
Viewers will now be shown the episode originally planned for September 4 this weekend.
Doctored: The voice of Caroline from G and S may have also been auto-tuned
'The sound edit is not done until Saturday afternoon, so whatever was said about shows being forced to be reeditedto get rid of the auto-tuning is absolute nonsense,' the source added.
'The thing that really riles Simon is the notion that some people think The X Factor is using auto-tuning to make people sound worse for entertainment. [You can't] - just as you can't use it to make a bad singer into a good singer.'
Earlier this week programme chiefs said sound filters were not used to give anyone an advantage, but to remove additional noises.
They said there were 43 microphones in every auditorium during auditions, with 3,500 spectators.
The source added: 'If we just left the vocals as they were they would be drowned out. Vocals are edited to help viewers hear the contestant.'
The technology has also been used in previous series. Last night a show spokesman confirmed: 'There will be no auto-tune in audition shows or competitive performances on live shows.'
Producers have also been forced to axe single mother Shirlena Johnson, 30, from the show after she misled them over the extent of her mental illness.
Miss Johnson stunned the judges with her wild performances.
Cowell said: 'I would never put someone forward to the judges' houses round if they did not have talent - and purely for entertainment value. I loved her.'
Fears: Shirlena Johnson was yesterday axed from the X Factor after she 'misled' producers over her mental illness
Shirlena Johnson was yesterday axed from the X Factor after she 'misled' producers over her mental illness.
The mother performed a bizarre version of Duffy's hit song Mercy on Saturday's show, which saw her clawing at the floor and growling while dressed in tight leopard skin leggings.
But the giggling panel sent her through to the next round, with Simon Cowell telling her: 'I have never heard anything like that in my life. It was like a musical exorcism.
What I love about you is you are fantastically nuts.'
But Miss Johnson, from East London, was dropped - under rules introduced by producers after Susan Boyle had a breakdown on Britain's Got Talent - after she made it through the boot camp auditions to the judges' houses stage.
Concerns about Miss Johnson were raised after a 'scary' performance at boot camp. An insider said: 'Shirlena performed a Lady Gaga song, but it descended into farce as she got down on the floor, with legs akimbo and was wailing along.
'She then started purring like a cat. But no one seemed to think anything was wrong with her - they just thought she was hilarious.'
Cowell said the decision to axe her was 'heartbreaking.'
'I'm devasted. Shirlena desperately wanted to do this to make a better life for herself and her daughter. I feel she may now struggle to do that,' he told The Sun.
'I really feel for her. I'm very upset and disappointed. The advice I'm given is she can't do the show. But there's another argument that we're depriving her of the chance to make some money.'
Miss Johnson said she was 'very upset' by the decision.
'I think people will want to hear more of me and they will be disappointed by this. It's not fair. I want another chance.'
Bizarre performance: The hopeful sang Duffy's hit Mercy in her audition
A source at Talkback Thames said they had 'no choice' but to drop Miss Johnson after the full extent of her illness emerged after she was unclear in her application.
An X Factor spokeswoman said: 'The welfare of contestants is of paramount importance, and for this reason, it has been agreed that Shirlena Johnson should not continue in the competition.'
A show source told how producers were only alerted to the 30-year-old's full medical history this week after receiving a report from her GP.
Eccentric: Shirlena was shrieking, wailing, kicking and moaning during her audition
All contestants are required to submit such reports before going through to the judges' houses auditions.
A source said: 'We acted immediately once we received this late report
Single mother: Shirlena with her three-year-old daughter Mariah
'Shirlene was told by show executives this afternoon, in person, with a psychologist on hand.
'The decision was taken after taking advice from Shirlena’s doctor and our own medical experts.'
Johnson has also been thrown out of this year's Miss Great Britain contest after organisers discovered her real age when they watched her TV audition.
She had applied for the competition in February and was due to compete in the next regional heat, Miss Essex GB, on Saturday, spokeswoman Charlotte Ellis said.
X Factor returned for its seventh series on Saturday night and was watched by 12.6 million viewers, a record for an X Factor opening episode.
Fragile: Susan Boyle was hospitalised following the final of last year's Britain's Got Talent
Saved: X Factor bosses were under pressure to disqualify contestant Katie Waissel after it emerged she has recorded a jazz album in the US, but the decided to keep her in the competition
