‘X Factor’ Judges Weigh In On Astro’s Antics ~ Hollywood Media

Astro and Steve Jones on ‘The X Factor’ on November 17, 2011

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- “The X Factor’s” Astro landed in the bottom 2 on Thursday’s show and threatened he wouldn’t perform to save himself. After threatening to not perform, the judges scolded him for his behavior.

“The X Factor” teamed weighed in on Astro’s behavior – and saving him from elimination – with Access Hollywood following last night’s emotional show.

“I only did it because I cared about him. If I didn’t care about him, he would have just gone,” Simon Cowell told Access of scolding the young performer, who was in tears at one point on stage. “I was just trying to make him understand the ramifications of what he was doing, and also understand that he’s a kid… I was just annoyed.”

According to the British judge and mentor, the 14-year-old rapper’s antics might have been a life-changing moment for him.

“He’s talented… maybe this is the best thing that can happen to him. Maybe he won’t be quite so cocky,” Simon added.

L.A. Reid – Astro’s mentor – told Access he was “disappointed” with the young performer.

“He’s dealing with being in the bottom 2 in his own way. There’s a pain, we don’t know the pain that he may be going through,” L.A. told Access. “When you enter a competition, you have to be prepared for the results. And if the results don’t land in your favor, good sportsman like conduct is still required. I was disappointed in the attitude.”

Host Steve Jones, who put his arm around Astro and whispered something in his ear as the crowd was booing him, refused to reveal what words he shared with the rapper.

“No comment. I don’t want to say what I said to him,” Steve said. “Essentially, he’s a kid, I hope people don’t write him off, because he’ll come back. He’ll realize that it’s not really the attitude you want in that situation.”