'X Factor' Interview: Josh Levi on School, Selena Gomez, & the Live Shows

Check out this new JJJ interview with one of our favorite X Factor contestants – Josh Levi!

The 15-year-old Texas native is set to hit the stage tonight for the first live show!

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of X Factor

We caught up with Josh to chat about his musical influences, how he handles school, and his first ever audition with Selena Gomez‘ “Come & Get It.”

The X Factor airs TONIGHT @ 8PM on Fox!

Click inside to read our interview with Josh Levi…

JustJaredJr.com Interview – Josh Levi

JustJaredJr: Hi Josh! So we hear you just got done with some school. What’s it like competing on the show and still fitting in school?

Josh Levi: I was home-schooled before, so it’s really not that different from my kitchen table at home. It’s just we’re all together for basically three or four hours in the morning. We just do school and then after that, we may do vocal lessons or something like that. But usually we start the day off with school.

JJJ: Are you getting nervous at all for the live shows?

JL: I am! The closer it gets, the more nervous I get. These days fly by, the rehearsals and everything. But this whole experience is so fun. I’m trying to live in the moment and not focus on the pressure of what I have to do all the time.

JJJ: What made you want to audition?

JL: There are other singing shows, but I knew X Factor was all-around performing, so that’s why I chose X Factor. And I knew Kelly Rowland was a judge and I absolutely love her. And Demi Lovato, Simon [Cowell], Paulina Rubio, they’re all great and I wanted to try it out. I think this one’s the coolest out of all the shows.

JJJ: We loved your first audition when you did Selena Gomez’ “Come & Get It.” It was definitely a risky move, but you pulled it off well!

JL: I always want to do things that are unexpected. And I like to change songs. I just like to do things that people wouldn’t guess. And I love her song. The acoustic version made me feel good, so that’s why I chose that one.

JJJ: Can we expect similar stuff for the live shows?

JL: You can expect unexpected things. You can expect dancing, full performance, connection with the crowd.

JJJ: How did you feel when you found out Paulina was your mentor?

JL: I was excited. When she came out, she was so excited and hyper, so her reaction is what made me react. She’s also a performer. She dances and she does the whole performance thing, so that was awesome too.

JJJ: Which one of the judges do you think will be the toughest?

JL: I think Paulina is my main focus, especially for this first round. She’s the one who decides which one of the boys goes home.

JJJ: What do your friends and family think about all of this?

JL: I live in L.A. with my mom and sister, and then my dad, brother, and grandma live in Texas, which is where I’m from. I moved to L.A. six months ago. So my mom and sister are super supportive. I live with them and they experience everything that I do. And then my brother, my dad, and my grandma also support everything, long distance. They are actually coming for the first performance.

JJJ: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

JL: Justin Timberlake, definitely. Bruno Mars, Brandy, JoJo, Michael Jackson, of course.

JJJ: If you could do a dream duet on the show, who would you want to perform with?

JL: I’d love to do a duet with Justin Timberlake. Or even Drake too. He’s amazing and that would be something really unexpected, which is what I like to do.

JJJ: And finally, who do you think is your biggest competition?

JL: I would say, for the first week, all the boys. Because one person is going home and I have to keep myself from cracking under pressure.