Ex-Menudo singer auditions for 'X Factor' USA, called "sexy" by Spears

Published Jun 29 2012, 21:59 BST | By Catriona Wightman

Demi Lovato, Britney Spears and Simon Cowell on the set of The X Factor USA

A former member of Latin boyband Menudo has auditioned for The X Factor USA.

Troy Kurtis, who was in Menudo during the MDO era, performed in Spanish when he took to the X Factor stage in Providence, People reports.

Speaking before his audition, the 31-year-old reportedly revealed that he "never had any mentors".

"I left my house at 16 because my stepfather told me to shut up when I would sing," he said. "I feel like I'm just getting started."

Judge Britney Spears reportedly described Kurtis as "very sexy", while LA Reid joked that Demi Lovato was "sweating" and "giggling" after the audition.

Other auditionees for this season of The X Factor include Gene Simmons's daughter Sophie and Spears's former duet partner Don Phillips, who later appeared to criticise the judge on Facebook.

The new season of The X Factor will premiere on September 12 on Fox.