Dennis Taylor Back in Charlestown After X Factor Audition

Dennis Taylor is back in Charlestown this week, after a trip to New Jersey where the local teen auditioned for a slot on Simon Cowell’s X Factor.

Although Taylor didn’t make the final cut, his mother Michelle Buckley said he’s happy to be home – and grateful for all of the support he got from the community when he was auditioning.

“He couldn’t believe how many people were behind him,” Buckley said. “He was so appreciative.”

Two weeks ago, Taylor was selected as one of four finalists (out of 140 entries) in the Boston area for a shot at the X Factor audition. X Factor, for those unfamiliar, is like American Idol and it was created by Simon Cowell, the notorious judge from American Idol.

Early on a Tuesday morning, Taylor belted out “The Worst That Could Happen” by Brooklyn Bridge live on the air from the FOX studio on Boston Common. (You can watch the video here.) He advanced to the next round of try-outs and a few days later, he and his mom were on the road to New Jersey.

Buckley described the next level of auditions as “very chaotic.” Taylor was up against – literally – 30,000 performers of all ages, all genres. “There was a woman in a walker there,” Buckley said. “The ages must have ranged from 12 to 80.”

Each of the 30,000 participants was given a number and a seat in a stadium the size of the Boston Garden, she said. When your number was called up, you went to sing – and about 26 people were singing at the same time.

“He did really well,” said Buckley said. “But he didn’t make it past the first round. I’m just glad he’s had this experience already, and at this age.”

Taylor is happy to be back in the neighborhood, she said. He’s got a full schedule of local gigs, private functions and parties to DJ. And he’s only 15.