Area woman wins chance to audition for 'X Factor'

Felisha Sweat, of Pleasanton, performs "Have Mercy on Me" during the 2010 Fort Scott Idol competition at Memorial Hall. Sweat was the winner of the 18-and-older category of that event. She recently won an opportunity to sing this week for producers of the upcoming TV talent show, "X Factor." (Tribune File Photo)

A Pleasanton woman recently sang her way to a rare opportunity.

Twenty-two-year-old Felisha Sweat, a student at the Fort Scott Community College School of Cosmetology, is one step closer to realizing her goal of becoming a famous recording artist after winning a chance to audition for producers of the upcoming TV talent show "X Factor" two weeks ago in Joplin, Mo.

Sweat, who won the opportunity after singing her rendition of "Have Mercy on Me," the song she performed to win the 18-and-older category of last year's Fort Scott Idol contest, said she was "very happy" to get the chance to sing for producers of the TV singing competition this week in Dallas.

"I was very happy, and really surprised," she said. "There was a lot of talent down there."

Sweat said she was not nervous heading into the audition in Joplin, even with no prior rehearsal.

"Actually, I wasn't (nervous)," she said. "I went in there ready to go."

In Joplin, Sweat was one of 80 contestants to register and audition in front of four judges experienced in the music industry. The youngest entrant was 12 years old and the oldest was 54. Sweat was one of only two hopefuls to receive an all-expense-paid trip to Dallas this week. The other is Tyler Giauque of Claremore, Okla.

Sweat was scheduled to leave for Dallas on Wednesday, audition on Thursday, and return home on Friday. She said contestants who audition for producers will be able to choose one of three different songs to perform. She added participants are expected to know soon after their auditions whether they will make it to the next stage of the competition.

Other than Fort Scott Idol, Sweat has performed in contests in Kansas City and has been singing since she was young.

"I've always kind of sang ... I just sing all the time," she said. "It kind of expresses how I'm feeling. It makes me feel better."

Sweat said her main musical inspirations are singers Christina Aguilera and Etta James. She also credits her good friend, Rick Nuzum, of Fort Scott, with pushing her to display her talent.

"If not for him, I never would have sang in public," she said.

Bonus passes were awarded to two other acts following the Joplin auditions -- 28-year-old Cassandra Skiles of Webb City, Mo., and the singing trio of Holly, Breana and Amalea of Joplin. These singers will not receive complimentary transportation and lodging, only a pass to audition before producers in Dallas.

The "X Factor" competition is open to groups as well as individuals and there is no upper age limit.

The program is scheduled to begin airing in September. Auditions for the show began in March and will end in June.