The X Factor Premiere Highlights

X MARKS THE SPOTLIGHT: Never mind the ratings, can The X Factor produce a legitimate superstar, something American Idol has really done only a handful of times with its winners, most notably Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood? The first night included its own Jackie Evancho (cherubic, corkscrew-haired Rachel Crow, a preternaturally mature 13-year-old who belted out Duffy’s “Mercy” and charmed the judges with her statement, “My family has, like, no money”) and a Susan Boyle moment (42-year-old mother of two Stacy Francis, told for the last 15 years she was too old to make it, killing Aretha Franklin-style on “[You Make Me Feel Like] A Natural Woman.”). There was also a heartwarming story in 20-year-old part time lawn mower Marcus Canty, whose version of Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish” had Paula and Nicole boogying with one another and earned him a stay from his mom’s two-year window to make it as a singer before going to college. The show saved the best for last, though, with 28-year-old trash collector, single father and rehab alum Chris Rene, a sweet-faced, blue-eyed hip-hopper whose self-penned “Your Homie” wowed L.A. Reid. “I’ve worked with Jay-Z and Kanye, and they’d be proud of me for saying, ‘You are the truth.’” A moved Cowell responded: “The best part of this job is when I sit in this chair and meet a star for the first time. Maybe you need the show, maybe we need you.” Cowell then made him promise to stay clean before giving him his “yes.” See Rene's audition below. (9/22p)