The X Factor Reveals New Categories and Mentor Assignments

The X Factor USA has revealed their new contestant categories and which judge will mentor each group.  I have mixed emotions about the changes, but  I think this is shaping up to be a good sophomore season!

The X Factor USA has made a lot of changes for the new season.  In season two we'll get a new host, two new judges (Demi Lovato & Britney Spears) and now brand new categories.

Gone are the boys and girls categories from last year.  Instead, per  Carla Hay at Examiner.com, we will get:

• Solo singers ages 12 to 16 - mentored by Demi Lovato
• Solo singers ages 17 to 24 - mentored by Britney Spears
• Solo singers ages 25 and over - mentored by L.A. Reid
• Groups - mentored by Simon Cowell

While I think overall these changes make a lot of sense, I am a bit concerned that combining the boys & girls categories could infect The X Factor with WGWG syndrome, however I am hopeful that given that the first season winner was Melanie Amaro, that the voting demo for X Factor is different enough to keep that from happening.

I'm also a little bit worried about the show skewing the ages even lower, after the Rachel Crow meltdown last year.  I think 12 might be a bit young to thrust contestants into the spotlight, but given the success of acts like  One Direction, I can't blame the show for trying to find young talent.

Hopefully, having mentors like Lovato and Spears on board, who have experienced the ups and downs of being a young pop star, will help to head off another cringe worthy elimination of a young contestant.  Overall, I think the show is headed in the right direction and I'm looking forward to a much improved second season of the show.

The X Factor premieres September 12th on Fox.