The X Factor: Top 12 Perform

Tonight’s episode of The X Factor features a once again scantily clad Khloe Kardashian, so I am already disappointed. Perhaps this is meant to be a distraction from the fact that she can’t read from a teleprompter. Moving on. Tonight’s theme is “divas,” and speaking of which, Brit Brit is looking young and spritely this evening. She’s confident in her kids and is ready to get this show on the road. Let’s go!

 

Act: Jennel Garcia

Team: Demi

Song: “Proud Mary” by Tina Turner

 

Jennel is ready to prove she is a rock diva. As much as I love Jennel as a rocker, I am not buying her as a diva….which only means I don’t see her as a Mariah or a Whitney. I absolutely think Jennel has the potential to be a Joan Jett or a Ann Wilson, but regardless, I wish she had picked a different song.

 

Judges Say: LA says she started the show with a bang. Britney thinks Tina would be proud, and Simon says Jennel is “back.” Demi takes partial credit for Jennel’s good night. Sigh.

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Act: Tate Stevens

Team: LA

Song: “From This Moment“ by Shania Twain

 

Tate was in first place last week after the votes were tallied so there is just a touch of pressure for him tonight. He is inspired by his wife for this performance, and he is emotional for sure. I do think he has a couple of pitch problems, but how can you not be pulling for this guy?

 

Judges Say: Britney says the performance was heartfelt and the vocals were amazing. Demi just says “you’re very, very good.” Simon believes The X Factor is the best place for Tate, and he would be happy to write Tate that $5 million check. WOW.

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Act: Diamond White

Team: Britney

Song: “Halo” by Beyonce

 

The song starts a little too low for Diamond, and she is a bit off key here and there throughout the performance, but I assure you that none of the judges are going to point that out. For whatever reason, she is one of the contestants that can do no wrong.

 

Judges Say: LA says Diamond filled the big shoes of the song very well. Demi tells her she gives the rest of the competition a run for their money. Simon encourages Diamond to not walk and sing at the same time. Brit Brit says Diamond just keeps getting better and better.

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Act: Beatrice Miller

Team: Britney

Song: “Time After Time“ by Cyndi Lauper (or “Cinthy” Lauper if you are Khloe Kardashian)

 

Beatrice has somewhere around seven watches on her wrists, and she sings in front of a giant hour glass just so we know that the song is called “Time After Time.” Vocally she is more on point this week, and I appreciate that she gave a soulful performance....however, this is kind of a snoozefest.

 

Judges Say: LA tells Beatrice she is cute, but he did not like the song choice. Demi liked the song choice and thinks she sounded great. Simon was bored.  Britney says Beatrice’s performance was “incredibly special.”

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Act: Lyric 145

Team: Simon

Song: Mash up of “E.T” by Katy Perry and “We Will Rock You” by Queen

 

The group changed their song choice at midnight last night, so this has the potential to be even more of a train wreck than the previous weeks’ performances.  Nope, I take it back – last week was worse. But still, I just don’t get these guys. How many more weeks of this must we put up with?

 

Judges Say: LA says the performance was better than last week, but the group has “lost their way.” Britney thinks they should be doing hip hop tracks. Demi didn’t understand why “E.T.” was part of the performance. Simon loved it, saying Lyric 145 brings and energy the show needs.

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Act: Arin Ray

Team: Britney

Song: “Crazy for You” by Madonna

 

Arin has a little reality show romance going with Normani from Fifth Harmony, so this song goes out to her.  Will young love prevail? He does an okay job, but he didn’t have a chance on improving on the original. It almost looks like he is uncomfortable with the song even though he was so excited to sing it to his lady.

 

Judges Say: LA is struggling with that performance, saying it wasn’t worth $5 million. Demi felt bored during the song. Simon says Arin didn’t look like he was into the song. Britney stands by the song choice and thinks Arin did a great job.

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Act: Paige Thomas

Team: Demi

Song: “Last Dance” by Donna Summer

I hope the song title isn’t foreshadowing for Paige because she has really grown on me. I love that she is doing an upbeat song tonight, and she looks confident and comfortable with the performance. Paige absolutely works the stage while holding her vocals, and I am a big fan.

 

Judges Say: LA tells Paige this was her best yet, and Simon agrees. Britney says it was like a disco ball exploded on stage. Demi says she nailed it.

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Act: Fifth Harmony

Team: Simon

Song: “Hero“ by Mariah Carey

 

I love the way these girls sound together. I do not love the way the song was chopped up, but I imagine that is not their fault. All in all a good performance, but I don’t think it will be one that stands out when the night is over.

 

Judges Say: LA says there is something lovable about all of them. Britney was extremely impressed, and Demi thinks they killed it on the vocals. Simon says they have a shot at winning it all.

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Act: Carly Rose Sonenclar

Team: Britney

Song: “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion

 

Big song for this kid to take on, but this kid also has a huge voice. Sure enough, she does an AMAZING job. I don’t know how she is able to control her voice and hit the notes the way she does at 13 years old, but I applaud her. This is the best of the night for me.

 

 

Judges Say: LA says “we could be looking at the winner.” Demi can’t make sense of someone so young having that voice. Simon thinks Carly might not be human. Britney has chills all over her body and is so proud of her.

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Act: Vino Alan

Team: LA

Song: “Let’s Stay Together” by Tina Turner

 

I actually didn’t know that Tina did a cover of this song, so shame on me….I always associated it with Al Green. Anywho, Vino is wailing on this song. He has such a powerful voice, and this is another great performance from him. Will Demi lay off of Vino this week? 

 

Judges Say: Britney says Vino’s voice is soulful, and Demi still hates Vino. Hates him. I have no idea what her beef is. Simon is waiting for Vino to have a “moment.” LA says Vino has one of the best voices he has ever heard on this stage.

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Act: Emblem3

Team: Simon

Song: “No One” by Alicia Keys

 

Believe it or not, I like what they did with the song. Emblem3 isn’t a typical boy band, and they tend to surprise me with their vocal abilities and harmonies. And yes, I still think they are cute.

 

Judges Say: LA says the guys are complete superstars. Britney’s comments are drowned out by the screaming girls. Demi thinks they improved on last week’s performance. Simon says they are brilliant.

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Act: CeCe Fray

Team: Demi

Song: “All By Myself” by Celine Dion

 

CeCe was in 12^th place after last weeks’ votes, so she has a lot to prove this evening. Going into the live shows, she was once of my favorites. I’m not sure where her stage presence and confidence went, but I feel like I haven’t seen either of those in a while. She struggles here, but I am still pulling for her.

 

Judges Say: LA says she made an improvement, and Britney still hates CeCe. Simon likes her but says the performance was very cabaret and it didn’t work. Demi, of course, thinks she nailed it.

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During the results show we will say goodbye to two acts instead of one as the teams become smaller and smaller. We’ll see who gets another chance to sing for America’s votes tomorrow. Til then!