Josh Krajcik: Facing The X Factor final five

By Denice Rovira Hazlett

Aside from her canine buddy, Ripley, husband, Bill Pim, and loved ones in Ohio, there’s one thing Lisa Pim, mother of The X Factor finalist Josh Krajcik, misses about Holmes County as she sets up temporary residence in a leased Los Angeles apartment to be close to her son.“I’ve been here more than a month now. That, in itself, is bizarre,” said Pim. “But the weird thing is, it’s Christmastime, and it’s 80 degrees here. I don’t even have a tree.”

This might not be a big deal for most folks, but, Pim, who has been collecting Hallmark ornaments since 1976, is a self-styled Christmas “freakazoid.”

“I’ve had as many as 35 trees in my house,” said Pim.

But that was an exception. Normally, Pim adorns her Millersburg home with a mere 15 trees (she only counts them if they have lights), with themes ranging from Star Wars (she collects these for sons Josh and Zack), Kent State University (Pim’s alma mater), and, for her husband, a tree with a hunting theme.

But in Los Angeles, Pim’s apartment has been Christmas-tree free, though she did take along a musical Cinderella ornament to remind her that dreams really do come true.

“I don’t want to spend money on a tree that I’ll leave here,” said Pim.

That’s because, each week, there’s a chance Krajcik could lose the competition and $5 million prize, and Pim would have to leave L.A. Just like everyone watching and waiting from home, Pim never knows when that will be. And, just like other The X Factor fans, Pim is voting for her favorite contestant to continue to the last show, set to air on Thursday, Dec. 22.

“I have no idea when I’m coming home,” said Pim from her L.A. apartment on Wednesday, Nov. 30. “I have to decide tomorrow if I’m going to sign the lease for two more weeks.”

The decision to sign the lease would come after the Thursday, Dec. 1 results show. Out of the seven The X Factor contestants, two would go home. Five would move on to the next round of the competition. The eliminations would be determined by viewers in the United States who cast their votes via phone, text messaging, Facebook and Twitter following each week’s performance.

“People are power voting for Josh,” said Pim, “They’re voting the entire time, every way they can. It’s such a blessing that people are willing to do that. It’s very humbling.”

As Pim sat in the L.A. audience on Thursday (“I almost had a meltdown watching,” said Pim), Krajcik’s faithful hometown fans gathered at The Olde Jaol in Wooster for the week’s results to be revealed live. After a few dramatic moments and a series of commercial breaks, it was announced that Josh Krajcik would move on to the final five. Krajcik’s stepfather, Bill Pim of Millersburg, joined the crowd in an ecstatic explosion of cheers and applause.

“For us, this started in April,” Bill Pim said. “We’ve come so far. He’s so close. We want it for him so badly.”

Back in L.A., Lisa Pim spent Friday recovering from the stress of another week. Krajcik, grateful for his supporters and excited to be in the final five, began preparing for the Wednesday, Dec. 7 show.

“We have a huge support system that has helped this whole thing happen,” said Pim. “The hometown people, yes, but people everywhere.”

As Pim shared her gratitude, she heard a knock at the door – a delivery man with a package that brought her to tears. Inside was a live cypress accompanied by a flurry of snowman ornaments – a Christmas tree from her sister-in-law Tina and brother Dan.

“I have wonderful friends and an awesome family,” expressed Pim. “I’m truly blessed.”

Looks like Lisa Pim will be signing that lease.

Josh Krajcik’s continued success depends on the votes of viewers. To support Krajcik as he moves toward the final show, visit http://www.thexfactorusa.com for voting details. Fans can follow Krajcik on both Twitter (@joshkrajcik) and Facebook (joshkrajcikmusic).