R Factor 2024 gets a standing ovation

By Madison Lewis

Suspenseful music sounded while strobe lights illuminated the three remaining contestants on the Yvonne Theatre stage. Enamored attendees braced themselves for the announcement that would declare the winner of this season’s R Factor. 

The annual competition organized by the Office of Campus Life was split in two segments – the first round of eliminations on Sept. 7, and the second and third rounds on Sept. 13. In between the two dates was an opportunity for the eight remaining competitors from the first segment to meet up with their mentors and strategize.

Senior music education major Julia Wilder and senior marketing major Sherrie Manalo hosted the show and introduced each contestant and performance.

In the initial elimination round, the judges, Nick Barbati, the assistant vice president of student affairs, and Dani Knights, previous X factor contestant, chose performers that would join their teams, which would be the competitors that they mentor for the finals. Brad Fischetti, of the band LFO, was the third judge on the second night of R Factor, but he did not have a team of his own.

On the first day, there were limited spots for contestants to go from the qualifying round into the pre-final.

There were four seats lining the stage, fitting two people each, and the judges were left with the decision of who should earn a spot.

It was evident, however, that the crowd did not always agree with the calls from the judge panel. Booing echoed throughout the theater occasionally to disagree with the judges when they exchanged one student’s seat for another.

“I love [the booing],” said Barbati. “The way the audience reacts is truly with such love of their fellow students.”

At the finals, after all eight competitors provided a heartfelt performance, three were selected for the final round. The audience voted on their favorite contestants via text message, which narrowed down the participants.

The final three, junior musical theater major Emily Taylor Kaufman, senior musical theater major Aidan Kelly and freshman musical theater major Finn Alexander, all executed renditions of their favorite songs. These performances received unanimous praise from the Bronc-filled crowd, each earning standing ovations.

Of “Team Dani,” Kelly conveyed a heartbreaking and melancholy ballad to the crowd, “Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles. 

Alexander, from “Team Nick,” blew the crowd away with his bellowing voice that was only elevated by his choice of attire, an all-white suit. He chose “Feeling Good” by Michael Bublé. 

Last to entertain was Kaufman, also from “Team Nick.” She silenced the entire room with “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston. When the song concluded, the room erupted in applause and unanimous cheers of “put her through.”

Throughout the finals, Kaufman was a fan favorite. The audience feedback was fierce when she interacted with the crowd, urging them to sing along with her first song on the second night, “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson.

Proceeding Kaufman’s final performance, Barbati unabashedly told the crowd, “I believe you should win the R Factor.”

At one point, the host asked the crowd to “scream for who you want to win.” The response was overwhelmingly in support of Kaufman, as chants of her name ensued.

Kaufman earned the trophy as well as a barrage of confetti firing from all cylinders.

“This has been the most enjoyable performance for me,” said Kaufman post-win.

She has performed in different arenas, from nursing homes to sporting events. However, she said that the R Factor was a different beast entirely.

To her, the audience’s positive feedback and the crowd’s unshakable energy made this R factor one to remember.

News Editor Jay Roberson and Video Editor Josiah Thomas participated in the R Factor auditions and had no part in the writing or editing of this story.