The X Factor: Giving Thanks for the Ladies of Team Britney

This week’s “special Thanksgiving” episode of The X Factor will feature our remaining contestants dedicating their performances to the ones they are most thankful for. I anticipate a ton of emotions this evening, but unfortunately the first emotion I experience is anger as our hosts welcome us to the show. I am SO not thankful for them. Moving right along…
 

Act: Tate Stevens
Team: LA
Song: “I’m Already There” by Lonestar

Tate is thankful for his father, and as he sings, I think we are all a little thankful for Tate’s father. I just want to give Tate a big ol hug every time he sings. I wish someone would put a stop to the out of control swaying arms in the audience (this isn’t “Hip Hop Hooray,” kids)…otherwise, I greatly enjoy the performance.

 

Judges Say: Britney says Tate’s performances are always so special and touching. Demi says this wasn’t Tate’s best performance, “but it’s still incredible.” How’s that? All of his other performances were divine and this one is just incredible? Simon loved the song, loved the story behind it, but he notes that Tate’s voice was shaky. LA says Tate sings with a lot of confidence and America will keep him at the top.

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Act: Diamond White
Team: Britney
Song: “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion

 

Tonight Diamond is giving thanks for her mom because "she has given up her life to make mine awesome. She’s my everything.” Wow.  I love that someone so young acknowledges the sacrifices her mother has made. Regardless of how this song goes, Diamond just jumped leaps and bounds in my book. No need to worry about the song though – this is her best performance of the season. Britney’s emotional, I’m emotional, and I’m glad this girl was brought back into the competition for the Top 13.

Judges Say: LA says Diamond has had a lot of moments on the show, but she has never had a moment like that. Demi cries because she is thinking about her own family. She tells Diamond she is blown away. Simon says Diamond is both fearless and incredible, and he believed every word of her performance. Britney tells her the whole thing was beautiful.

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Act: Emblem3
Team: Simon
Song: “Secrets” by OneRepublic

The boys are dedicating their song to their youth leaders, who helped them become the talented young men they are today. I cringe when the song starts only because I can’t stand Ryan Tedder and obviously all OneRepublic covers make me think of him. This is an okay rendition, but having a boy band follow Diamond was going to be tough. Let’s hope all those shrieking teenage girls pick up their phones tonight.

Judges Say: LA hates Simon, so he didn’t like their performance. Britney thinks this was a nice change of pace from all of their other performances. Demi agrees with Britney, and Simon calls LA a Grinch. Ha!

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Act: Arin Ray
Team: Britney
Song: “Hero” by Enrique Iglesias

Arin’s older brother is his hero, and I’m sure he greatly appreciates this dedication. That being said, Arin looks like a deer caught in the headlights through most of the performance. This is definitely better than his version of “Crazy for You,” but I’m not sure that he’s an artist who will ever be known for power ballads.

 

Judges Say: LA liked the song choice but says it was too big for Arin. Demi doesn’t think Arin brought his "A" game. Simon asks Arin (who is starting to give some attitude) what isn’t working for him. Arin responds “I gotta be me. I wanna be me onstage.” Britney thought the performance was really good. Khloe decides to destroy all of my remaining brain cells and asks Arin “What is you?” Arin apparently wants to dance. He's at the bottom of my list now.

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Act: CeCe Frey
Team: Demi
Song: “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler

CeCe is thankful for her sister Kelsey, who died from cerebral palsy as a child, calling her “my guardian angel.” And now I am back to Diamond’s performance and hoping to hold it all together.  She sings an acoustic version of this song and is crying and shaky from the start. There are some nice moments in her performance, but I don’t think this will be CeCe’s “comeback.”

Judges Say: LA praises CeCe’s emotion, saying the performance was real. Britney says it’s hard to critique someone when they are pouring their heart out like that, but she thought it was amazing. Simon tells CeCe she is a tryer and he admires her for that. Demi is  crying and tells her she is awesome.

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Act: Fifth Harmony
Team: Simon
Song: “I’ll Stand by You” by The Pretenders

Fifth Harmony is giving it up to God this evening as all of them are very strong in their faith and believe He has put them all together. As always, their voices sound beautiful together (except for when the choir kicks in, and then I can’t hear them at all). It’s a pleasant performance, but the theme of the night is gut-wrenching sorrow, right?

Judges Say: LA says the performance was great. Britney thinks it was a beautiful rendition of the song. Demi loves watching the girls together but wasn’t crazy about the song choice. Simon, on the other hand, was crazy about the song choice and says they have clicked as a voice.

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Act: Beatrice Miller
Team: Britney
Song: “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol

 

Beatrice’s little sisters are Vietnamese twins who were adopted when they were premature and fighting for life. She gives thanks for them and their strength, and man I am just so impressed by the kids on this show. Honestly, this might be the best performance Beatrice has had since the live shows started. Her emotions start to get her at the end of the performance, but it’s lovely. Nicely done.

 

Judges Say: LA says Beatrice is an inspiration to all of the other little girls like her in the country. Demi thinks Beatrice is adorable but wonders if she is progressing each week. Booooooooo. Demi, Jennel called - she was wondering when you were going to let her do something different? Simon disagrees, saying the song really meant something to Beatrice. Brit Brit says this was her best vocal performance so far. Agreed.

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Act: Vino Alan
Team: LA
Song: “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood (should I just cry now?)

 

Vino is thankful for the entire U.S. Military tonight, noting that he’s had family members that have served and he himself performs shows for the troops whenever he can. I greatly appreciate what Vino is doing here – it’s really very touching. I initially worried that this song choice could prove to be cheesy, but he actually delivers a pretty subtle performance all things considered. This is another “moment” Vino can be proud of on this show.

 

Judges Say: Standing O! Britney says this is the first performance for Vino that has been “spot on.” Demi still doesn’t like Vino, but she acknowledges that there is something special in him Simon loved that he was sincere and predicts that Vino might be number 1 tomorrow. LA is very proud of Vino, saying he is “the truth.”              

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Act: Paige Thomas
Team: Demi
Song: “Everytime” by Britney Spears

 

Paige is giving thanks for Colleen, who took Paige in after her mother was killed in a car accident. She has played a maternal role for both Paige and Paige’s daughter throughout this process. Taking on a Britney song is risky, and Paige is crying before it even begins. Like CeCe’s performance, there are some really pretty moments, but once she says “this song is my sorry,” it all goes downhill after that.

Judges Say: Britney thinks Paige performed the song beautifully. LA is a jerk. Simon says her emotions got the best of her. Demi acknowledges the pitch problems but is proud of Paige for pouring her heart and soul onto the stage.

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Act: Carly Rose Sonenclar
Team: Britney
Song: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Judy Garland

Carly Rose’s big brother Russell helps her get through everything, and she dedicates this song to him. Good for Russell, but seriously, this kid is just unreal in her vocal ability. Howwwwww does she sing like this?!??!?!?! Best of the night. Best performance she’s had so far. I love her. And just for kicks, I love Russell too. Call me.

Judges Say: LA says she only needed one big note but she pulled out two. Demi doesn’t believe Carly Rose is only 13 and says she has a long career ahead of her. Simon tells her he has heard that song a lot of times….but this was one of the best versions of it.  Britney agrees with everything the other judges say.

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After America’s votes, two more acts will be sent packing in this week’s results show. Will Brit Brit finally have to say goodbye to one of her teens? In my mind, Arin showed too much attitude this evening which could hurt him for sure. I’m also not sure that either of the group performances were super strong. Will Simon’s acts remain, or will he end up knocked out of the competition early the way Paula did last year? We’ll find out during the elimination nail biter. Til then!