The X Factor: Do You Really Want It?

Tonight on The X Factor the remaining eight acts compete again as we inch closer to the 2013 finale. In keeping with flawed idea that theme weeks are brilliant, the contestants will be taking on Big Band songs tonight, performing with…well, a big band. The only reality TV “Big Band Night” that gave me anything memorable was Kelly Clarkson’s version of “Stuff Like That There” over a decade ago. Let’s see how these poor souls fare with this genre.

 

Act:        Rion Paige
Team:    Demi
Song:     “Swingin’” by John Anderson

Rion ditches the mic stand this week and goes for a headset so she can show off some moves. You’re probably thinking this is risky…I’m thinking this is risky. But my concerns are put to rest pretty quickly because the kid makes it work. She struts down to the judges’ table with confidence and doesn’t seem fazed at all by her back up dancers. She literally stepped out of her comfort zone tonight and I am thrilled for her.

 

Critiques: Kelly says Rion put on her diva hat and worked the stage like a pro. Paulina loves Rion’s joy and happiness (okay) and Simon notes that this was the best song choice for Rion. He then calls her as cute as a cupcake. Demi thinks this was her best performance and Simon’s acts should watch out!

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Act:        Restless Road

Team:    Simon
Song:     “Life Is A Highway” by Tom Cochrane

I understand why Simon and the boys picked a country song for tonight’s performance, but unfortunately I can’t hear the guys above the band during any time other than the chorus. They do, however, look very dapper this evening, and the chorus sections sound great. That’s about all I got though.

 

Critiques: Kelly thinks Restless Road worked really hard this week and it showed. Demi says the boys did really well and looked like stars tonight. Paulina loves them and she feels their energy. Simon says the guys really made the country song work with a big band.

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Act:        Jeff Gutt

Team:    Kelly
Song:     “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone

Jeff steps down from the iron throne tonight and sings the hell out this song. He looks right at home with the band on stage, which I was not anticipating at all, and he delivers a very powerful and actually very sexy performance. I didn’t think he would be much of a contender this year at all…but he has shown serious growth every week.

 

Critiques: Simon and Kelly give him a standing ovation. Demi says Jeff killed it and called the performance amazing. I really just cringe when Paulina talks so let’s move on. Simon thinks the performance was absolutely fantastic and tells Jeff he loved everything about the song. Kelly can’t wait to download the performance on iTunes.

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Act:        Josh Levi

Team:    Paulina
Song:     “Treasure” by Bruno Mars

Josh is at a point now where he’s just so much fun to watch on stage and I look forward to seeing him each week. He has so much personality and he looks like he’s been doing this forever. Josh is all over the stage tonight, he’s incredibly into the music, and he looks like he’s having the time of his life. Good for him.

 

Critiques: Kelly says Josh let us into his world this week and it was great. Demi thinks Paulina does a great job with Josh. She also said Josh shined very brightly tonight. Simon loves Josh’s energy but cautions him to not let the choreography date him. No one seems happy with that critique. Paulina yells that Josh is fantastic into the microphone…attempts to say the word “effortless”... and then I lose track of the show.

 

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Act:        Carlito Olivero

Team:    Paulina
Song:     “La Copa de la Vida/Maria Maria” by Ricky Martin

I had absolutely no idea who Ricky Martin was until I saw him perform “The Cup of Life” on The Grammys when I was in high school. I was blown away. Carlito in no way matches the energy of this song, but I do give him credit for taking the critiques to heart this week and trying to work the sexy Latino angle.

 

Critiques: Kelly thinks Carlito let himself free during the performance. Demi says the performance was amazing and tells him he has a place in the market with this kind of music. Simon tells Carlito he has shown us who he is and who he should be. Paulina says Carlito did a big fiesta and she loves him.

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Act:        Alex & Sierra

Team:    Simon
Song:     “Trouble” by Taylor Swift

This is definitely not a song I expected to be featured tonight…but I love it. I’m not a Taylor Swift fan and I tend to be pretty vocal about that, but I do have a new found appreciation for this tune. Both Alex and Sierra look great, sound great, and seem completely at home with the song and arrangement. I had thought tonight would be a challenge for them given their often folksy approach to songs. I thought wrong.

Critiques: Kelly wasn’t crazy about this version of the song but thinks they sounded great together. Demi agrees on the arrangement but says the duo made her like it, noting that they made it their own. Paulina loves the way Alex and Sierra love each other. Simon thinks the song was clever and tells Sierra she gave a great vocal performance.

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Act:        Lillie McCloud

Team:    Kelly
Song:     “Summertime” by Ella Fitzgerald

This week should really be right up Lillie’s alley. In fact, Lillie could have spent 90% of the show performing Big Band numbers and I would have been totally happy. She’s just so graceful and smooth in her delivery and makes performing a huge song like “Summertime” look incredibly easy. Best of the night – she gets a standing ovation from my couch.

 

Critiques: The three female judges stand for her as well. Demi congratulates Lillie and Kelly on a great job. Paulina says Lillie delivers each week and calls her impeccable…I think. Simon pisses everyone off and says Lillie didn’t let go enough. Lillie says she’s confused by the critiques because when she does move around she’s “too theatrical” but when she’s stands still it’s “not enough.” She says she sang the song exactly as she felt it. You tell him!  

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Act:        Ellona Santiago
Team:    Demi
Song:     “Mama Knows Best” by Jessie J

Whoa! Where has this girl been!?!?! Granted, Ellona is a consistent performer each week, but she’s just crazy good tonight. She absolutely owns this song from start to finish. The stage set up, the dancers, the props, the little strip tease she does while KILLING the song vocally…step aside, Lillie. You were amazing, but Ellona just stole the show.

Critiques: Standing ovation from everyone and rightly so. Kelly says this was Ellona’s best performance ever. Paulina loves that Ellona is in command and calls her a superstar. Simon says the performance was a game changer but tells her to lose the dancers next week. Demi is thankful for Ellona and says she could win the competition.

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The X Factor introduces a “final face off” tonight where all eight acts sing one song together but do their best to stand out. This seems like a glorified version of The Voice’s Battle Round, but what do I know? Taking on “Cry Me A River” by Billie Holiday, Lillie and Ellona are the standouts for sure…with Alex & Sierra making me smile as well. I’m not sure why this wasn’t just a group performance rather than being dubbed as some competitive stroke of genius, but it was still a neat way to end the show.

For me…the boys of Restless Road should be nervous tonight, and I’m still not sure Carlito has done enough to win over the voting audience. I also worry that Rion’s performance, while wonderful, was at the very beginning of the two hour episode and there were some stellar moments that came after her. I hope she’s not forgotten. We’re getting down to the wire now though and some surprises could definitely be in store during the results show. Will all four judges still have team representation next week? We’ll find out during the elimination episode. Til then!