So you’ve got through the first audition? Pah! We laugh in the face of the first stage. Welcome to bootcamp… not for the faint the faint of heart! Those contestants that arrived expecting the week to be a breeze, hoping to fit in a bit of sightseeing and a spot of shopping in our fair capital, were in for a big surprise.

The pressure to perform was soon on and it quickly became clear that some people were better at coping than others. Over the week everyone developed methods of dealing with the stresses and strains… some turned to hot water, honey and lemon, some went for regular weeps in the corner, but for others, they got by with a little help from their friends.

After arriving in London from various points around the country Danyl Johnson, Ethan Boroian and Rikki Loney found each other in next to no time and their shared ability to lighten the mood with a bit of banter, fun and frolics meant they were soon forming firm friendships.

As we roamed the Hammersmith Apollo on our all important quest for backstage gossip we caught up with the lively lads for a quick chat.

“We’ve kept spirits high together... we’ve got little signs and handshakes and stuff,” explained Danyl, who was also quick to reassure us that despite the high jinks they were all taking the competition seriously.

“It’s called bootcamp for a reason! It’s tough. It’s just been nonstop. At the same time it’s been the biggest fun ever and I’ve made some amazing friends.”

Cast your mind all the way back to the auditions if you will, when all three acts gave some of the most impressive performances that had the judges gushing with compliments. Fast forward back to bootcamp and, naturally, there were high expectations all round when they chose to perform together in the first task.

“We hadn’t heard each other sing, but we all got along really well…we wanted to do something risky and different,” revealed Ethan.

Luckily for them the risk paid off and at the end of the first stage all three musketeers found themselves in the hallowed “yes room”. But with a solo performance in front of the judges and a 4000 strong audience between them and a place at the judges’ houses, will they all live to sing another day? Either way, it seems they’re all grateful to have made some magnificent mates.

“I didn’t expect to get so close to people. It’s been incredible. If I don’t get through today, at least I know I’ve had the most amazing week!” said Ethan with a grin.

“Aye, these guys are amazing,” agreed Rikki.

And with that the boys were off to “pop and snap” their way through bootcamp!

Tuesday, September 22 2009, 13:02 BST

By Alex Fletcher, Senior Entertainment Reporter


X Factor hopeful Ethan Borioan has become a hit online with his 'Use Somebody' audition video.

The 19-year-old American singer's appearance on the ITV1 show has been watched over a quarter of a million times on YouTube. Following his performance, Dannii Minogue described him as a "little superstar", while Louis Walsh claimed that Borioan would "go far" in the competition.

After the show aired at the weekend, celebrity blogger Perez Hilton admitted that he has a "crush" on the singer.

"We have a new crush," said Hilton. "Not only can he sing, but he's soooo dreamy."

Borioan already has over 2,000 followers on Twitter and has recently revealed that he was never tempted to audition for American Idol. "To be honest, pretty scared of it, way too many people," he wrote. "Besides, X Factor is so much better."

Meanwhile, in a question and answer feature on MySpace, Borioan also confirmed that he was part Armenian, single and studying at Royal Holloway in Surrey.

21/09/2009

X Factor hunk Ethan Boroian has become an internet sensation since making his debut on the show - with more than a quarter of a million views on YouTube in just a matter of hours.

The 19-year-old student bowled over the judges when he appeared on the show on Saturday night with his voice, charisma and looks.

Now Boroian, who is studying at Royal Holloway University in Surrey, is proving to be a huge online hit. By this afternoon, Boroian's performance in which he covered Kings Of Leon hit Use Somebody had been seen more than 254,00 times.

He has also been championed by US gossip blogger Perez Hilton who featured his performance and declared: "We have a new crush!"

"Not only can he sing, but he's sooooo dreamy. Like, soooooo dreamy dreamy dreamy," Hilton added.

Chicago-born Boroian, who began playing the guitar at 13, proved to be a huge hit with the judging panel.

"Wow, that was really impressive and you're actually really sweet - you seem really quite humble and that was a good audition," said judge Cheryl Cole.

Her smitten colleague Dannii Minogue said: "A little superstar. We need another slice of that."

Louis Walsh declared: "We want someone to come in who's modern, of today, understated, good looking and talented. The girls are going to love you. you're going to go far."

Simon Cowell was keen to establish that the music wannabe - who used to have a teenage band called Jona's Basement back home in the US - was a genuine UK entrant.

"Are you living over here? So this is your home now?" he asked.

After his performance he told his fans online that he had never bothered to try out for the TV talent show American Idol back home.

"To be honest, pretty scared of it, waaaaay too many people," he said. "Besides X Factor is so much better."