The X Factor Finale: Love Conquers All!

After many months of competition, several questionable elimination episodes, numerous occasions where subtitles would have come in handy, and one final performance night, we have a winner...well, winners in this scenario. The boyfriend/girlfriend duo Alex & Sierra are this year's victors on The X Factor and I could not be happier. Here are the highlights from the lengthy finale:

 

• Mary J. Blige treated us to her jazzy, awesome rendition of "Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer." Her performance immediately followed Carlito's attempt at a holiday performance with some mostly naked elves...which was really the only redeeming portion of his version of  "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)."
• Jeff Gutt gave a gritty performance of "Oh Holy Night" which I would have enjoyed more without the return of the leather, fingerless gloves...but it was "snowing" on stage so maybe he really needed them.
• Alex & Sierra chose "All I Want For Christmas is You" as their holiday song, stripping it down and making it their own. I'm never going to love a version of this song more than Mariah Carey's. It just won't happen. They did a good job just the same...but we were not even an hour into the show at this point...and boredom was already on the horizon.
• Many silly spoofs of the judges were done throughout the evening, but none quite so ridiculous and classless as the one featuring Demi's "green annoying juice." The kid has been completely open with her bouts in rehab, and The X Factor didn't see an issue with showing many, many clips of her drinking this beverage as if she were drinking something else? At one point you could see Demi in the bottom of the screen mouthing "That's %^&*ed up." Agreed.
• Lea Michelle diverted the show from a becoming a haphazard Christmas comedy special by performing her new single "Cannonball." I had never heard this tune before, but I liked it - I think a lot of Glee fans don't realized that Lea Michelle is actually incredibly versatile. She's so much more than just her character, Rachel. It was good to see her tonight.
• Pitbull showed up to sing a song that plays many times a day on my iPod. For real - tell me you can resist shaking a tail feather to "Timber." I dare you.
• One Direction performed yet again. I feel like The X Factor has them on contract to take the stage every 3 weeks....

 

When the final results come through, Carlito finished third with Jeff Gutt as the runner up.  The lovebirds cry and close the show with a very emotional "Say Something." I'm thrilled for Alex & Sierra and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that something great is going to happen for them. Sure, they are tearing up the charts on iTunes, but can Sony take Alex & Sierra to their full potential? Time will tell.

 

I'm not sure if there has been a definitive answer regarding a Season 4 of this show. If The X Factor is renewed though, Demi has already stated that she will not be able to participate. She's touring in 2014 and wants to focus on her music. Could this have anything to do with the tasteless montage of green drinks rather than an actual send off? Are The X Factor show runners that clueless? I guess we'll know for sure if Paulina gets a contract renewal.

 

 

Thanks for sticking with this show for another season. In a very short time we will see the return of American Idol and The Voice and blogging will definitely resume then. Happy 2014!

 

 

 

The X Factor Finale Part 1: Dream On

We've reached the end of the road for the 2013 season of The X Factor. Tonight the remaining three acts will compete for the last time, hoping to win the title and the recording contract.  For the second week in a row, Demi is just a spectator with an opinion, while Simon, Paulina and Kelly all have a contender left in the finale. The Final 3 will have three chances to win America's votes tonight - an encore of a song from earlier in the season, a duet with someone famous or close to it, and a song chosen by their coach. Let's see how they do...

 

Act:     Carlito Olivero

Team: Paulina

Song:  "Impossible" by Shontelle

 

Carlito does the predictable Spanish/English combo in this performance and the first verse is entirely too low. He picks up the performance at around the half way point and has a strong finish. That's all I got.

 

Critiques: Kelly adores Carlito's heart - he always shares it with the audience and leaves it on stage. Demi was blown away by the performance and believes he can win. Oh Lord. Here we go. Simon really respects Carlito because he can pick himself up and give it his all every time. Paulina says something about passion and deserving support.

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Act:     Alex & Sierra

Team: Simon

Song:  "Give Me Love" by Ed Sheeran

 

I gotta say - when this season started I was wayyyy more of an Alex fan than a Sierra fan. But now when she starts a song, I'm not eagerly waiting for Alex to jump in. When he does, it's just icing on the cake. They do a great job with this song, and I have definitely joined Paulina's "I love that you love that I love that you love each other" team.

 

Critiques: Kelly tells the duo that they have both grown vocally and says any label would sign them right now. Demi is blown away....again. She is a genuine fan and she feels connected to them. Demi then alludes that Alex & Sierra probably won't win, so she hopes they continue to pursue this career. Paulina says they are unique, and Simon believes that Alex & Sierra are stars that can represent America all over the world.

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Act:     Jeff Gutt

Team: Kelly

Song: "Dream On" by Aerosmith

 

Oh my. "Dream On" is another one of those songs that I think should be retired from reality TV singing shows. However, Jeff delivers one hell of a performance. This might be the first time I've looked at him and reallllllly thought "rock star." Maybe it's because he finally got rid of the leather gloves with no finger tips, but he wasn't trying to imitate Steven Tyler - he was owning the song just as Jeff Gutt. Well done.

 

Critiques: Demi is not blown away this time but says Jeff did a fantastic job. Paulina needs to see a band behind him for him to be more of a rocker. Simon says "I think is the first time that I believe that you believe you could win this show." Kelly says she has one word for Jeff: "Ah-maaaz-ing."

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Duet:  Carlito Olivero with Prince Royce

Song: "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King

 

I know very little about Prince Royce, but I now understand who Carlito has been trying to imitate for the second half of this season. I'm not a fan of this arrangement at all, regardless of who Carlito's duet partner is. I'm so relieved he only has one more performance tonight.

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Duet:   Alex & Sierra and Leona Lewis

Song: "Bleeding Love"

 

Where the hell has Leona Lewis been? I was a huge fan of hers when she landed in America after winning the British version of The X Factor. This song is perfect for the lovebirds to sing with Leona, but is it bad that I didn't even care that Leona was there? 

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Duet:    Jeff Gutt and John Rzeznik from The Goo Goo Dolls

Song:   "Iris"

 

I'm going to use a phrase that I hate...that Randy Jackson damn there put me in anger management classes with... tonight, Jeff is in it to win it. He really is. Out of the three duets, this one is the most natural and Jeff is at a point now where he just looks like a natural. There was no "Oh my God, you're here and I'm singing your song with you" vibe - just two professional musicians doing their thing.

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Act:     Carlito Olivero

Team: Paulina

Song: "Maria Maria" by Carlos Santana

 

That jacket. That. Jacket. It has light bulbs on it. Light bulbs. Dude is out of breath, sweating like Ruben Studdard, and I just can't do it anymore. The key changes are weird, he's more nasal-y than normal, and his confidence disappeared in this performance. If this is an encore for a song that made him destined for the finale, I am totally missing the message he is trying to deliver here.  

 

Critiques: Kelly is still proud of Carlito because he has come a long way. Demi says Carlito was on fire, calls him the underdog (because that word hasn't been used yet), and says America should vote for him. Sigh. Simon reiterates that he respects Carlito and wishes him the best of luck. Paulina talks about passion...or something.

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Act:     Alex & Sierra

Team: Simon

Song: "Say Something" by A Great Big World featuring Christina Aguilera

 

Thank goodness for this performance. I was getting to a point in the evening where I was starting to think "are we DONE yet?" Alex & Sierra take this encore to a whole new level though and I am so grateful. It's so haunting and emotional, and again, if these two don't win, I will be devastated.  

 

Critiques: Standing ovation. Kelly says this was better than the first time they sang it. She also says the duo deserves this moment. Demi says they always blow her away and says Alex and Sierra could win. Yes. Yes they could Demi. If you look at the rules of the show, Carlito and Jeff could also win. Paulina says the duo is talented and then seems to make up some new words. Simon thinks Alex and Sierra are exactly what a talent show needs and genuinely believes they deserve to win.

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Act:    Jeff Gutt

Team: Kelly

Song: "Creep" by Radiohead

 

I'm surprised that Jeff picked his audition song for the encore, but at the same time...he's come so far from his audition that it totally makes sense. He has the band with him this time (Paulina should be thrilled) and he just kills it. I haven't really rooted for this guy at all this season, and I'm still not looking for him to win, but I sincerely hope that he gets a career out of this.

 

Critiques: Demi says the performance was amazing, calling it a stadium performance. She also says America should vote for him. Palm to the forehead. Paulina....I just can't anymore. Simon thinks Jeff was brilliant tonight. Kelly calls Jeff's journey her "heart's joy" and asks the voters to give Jeff the victory.

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I'd be kidding myself if I said "I have no comments about Paulina' Rubio's performance tonight." She sings lip syncs "Boys Will Be Boys" and she travels the stage with boys and leather. On a positive note, this is the first time I have understood Paulina all season. She should give her critiques using pre-recorded tracks as well.

 

I've said about all I can say regarding these three acts and it's up to America now. Can Alex & Sierra win it all? Will Jeff and his too cute for words son have a life changing night tomorrow? Can The X Factor's reputation ever recover if Carlito wins? We'll find out during part two of the finale. Til then!

 

 

The X Factor: Falling Slowly

The X Factor journey ends for one more act tonight as we prepare for next week's finale. I'm going to refrain from commenting on the opening group number...which is a cover of Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger." Well, I'll at least give a shout out to Sierra for helping me not throw things during the performance.

 

Results! The first act that will advance to the Finals is....Carilto. WHAT?!?!?! My inclination to throw things returns. How does this keep happening? Carlito says something into the microphone about "Latino forever" and (translation) Paulina thanks America for seeing how talented he is. I'm fuming. Carlito sings "Suavemente," and normally I love a good dance tune, but I can't even bother to shimmy in my seat knowing that one of the remaining acts is definitely going home now.

 

The next act that is announced "safe" is Alex & Sierra and I breathe a huge sigh of relief. It would have been very hard for me to consider watching a finale that did not include them. The duo take on "Let Her Go" by Passenger and the result is fantastic. Their vocals are spot on...and I probably enjoy this version more than the original.

 

We are down to Jeff Gutt and Restless Road. This is a tough one. I like Restless Road better, but I can't argue that Jeff hasn't shown tremendous growth in the past few months. Jeff moves on to next week, singing "Open Arms" by Journey, and the young members of Restless Road are crushed. They don't even get a "goodbye" song.

 

I'm amused that Simon looks so pissed that his country boy band is going home. He bestowed unnecessary praise on Carlito for the past couple of weeks, even saving him from the bottom two. If you want both of your acts to make it to the finale, don't tout the least talented person left in the competition as someone everybody should be rooting for.

 

Next week, the underdog competes against Jeff and Alex & Sierra for the title and the recording contract. Will love conquer all? Will Paulina and Carlito have an inexplicable victory? Will all of Jeff's hard work win him the chance to provide for his adorable son? We'll see what happens next week. Til then!

 

 

The X Factor: I Wanna Make You Feel Wanted

We have reached the Semi-Finals week on The X Factor. Tonight the remaining four acts will have one last performance episode to earn a spot in the finale. Demi has no acts remaining, Kelly and Paulina each have contender left, and Simon still has two groups that will compete tonight. The contestants take on two "solo" songs tonight - one song chosen by the viewers and one they have chosen themselves. The third song will be a duet battle thing that I'm not too crazy about adding to this show (cough...The Voice...cough).

 

Act:     Carlito Olivero

Team: Paulina

Song: "Boyfriend" by Justin Bieber

 

Look, I'm already annoyed that Carlito is still around and having him take on a song by someone who annoys me even more isn't going to help me be positive about this performance. The poor girl he pulls up from the audience doesn't quite know what to do with herself. I worry that he might give her a lap dance, but fortunately he just sings awkwardly to her then takes center stage...briefly...before pulling Kelly out of her seat to dance. As the song finishes he kisses all three female judges on the cheek and I groan. I'm sure the judges are going to think this is fantastic.

 

Critiques: Kelly is incredibly proud of Carlito and says "you made that girl over there sweat, you made me sweat, and I just love you." Demi thinks the performance had star quality and he has the "x factor." Simon says it's obvious Carlito is looking to get into the Finals.  Paulina says Carlito can sing...we'll just say all types of music because what Paulina is actually saying doesn't make sense.

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Act:     Restless Road

Team: Simon

Song:  "That's My Kind of Night" by Luke Bryan

 

The band is crazy loud again tonight but once the boys get to the first chorus, their vocals rise about the background music. The tall one with the deep voice is actually having a good time tonight! They all are. This is the most comfortable Restless Road has seemed with an up tempo song all season and I'm really happy for them.

 

Critiques: Kelly says the performance was fun to watch and thinks that was the perfect sound for the boys. Demi, however, disagrees...she thinks the performance was nervous and awkward. Well, Demi, not everyone can be amazing as Carlito. Paulina expects more from the group. Simon concedes that the vocals were a bit shaky in the beginning of the song, but he also says that the Finals won't be the same without Restless Road.

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Act:     Alex & Sierra

Team: Simon

Song: "Little Talks" by Of Monsters And Men

 

The duo actually doesn't know this song so the performance should be interesting. "Little Talks" is a tune I can normally take or leave...but tonight I'll definitely take it. As much as I like for Alex and Sierra to be within 20 feet of each other at all times, I actually think the portion of the song they spent on completely opposite sides of the stage was the strongest.

 

Critiques: Kelly says the two singers make her mad because they just nailed their performance and Jeff has to come out next. Demi thinks she is looking at the winners of The X Factor.  Lord I hope so. Paulina says Alex and Sierra get stronger every week. Simon states that the duo are not performing songs - they are making records.

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Act:     Jeff Gutt

Team: Kelly

Song:  "Hallelujah" by Jeff Buckley

 

Because this is the song America chose, I'm going to tame my "this song should be retired" attitude. Jeff starts the song on a dark stage singing from his knees then stands during the first chorus. He then belts the rest of the song with a rock raspy tone that I typically like. What I don't like are all the damn guitars that are almost drowning him out. He could have handled the song just fine without all of the background nonsense. Still, do I prefer him to Carlito? Absolutely. The man is talented.

 

Critiques: Standing ovation from everyone. Demi thinks Jeff could also win The X Factor. Can someone on this show please run the numbers for Demi? There are only three spots in the finale and one winner. Paulina thinks Jeff made the song his own, and Simon says this was one of the best versions of "Hallelujah" he's heard. Okay, I completely disagree with that. Kelly is going to download this song on iTunes right now.

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Duet 1: Carlito vs. Alex & Sierra

 

They perform "Falling Slowly" from Once and really...why include Carlito in this song? It's a love song that should have just been a duet between Alex & Sierra. Carlito tries repeatedly to outshine them vocally, which is ridiculous, and I'm ready to move on.

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Duet 2: Restless Road vs. Jeff Gutt

 

They perform "Every Breath You Take" by The Police. Personally, I like this "duet" much better than the first. Maybe it's because all four guys were better at blending together even though their respective styles are different. Even so, these battles were a waste of time. Let's get back to business.

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Act:     Carlito Olivero

Team: Paulina

Song:  "I Need To Know" by Marc Anthony

 

In case you didn't know, Carlito is Latino. He actually sings a potion of the song in Spanish...as if this is a stroke of brilliance...as if Marc Anthony had never thought to do so himself. The most interesting part of the performance is the array of backup dancers. Are they space dancers? Aliens? Robots? No one ever tells us but it was nice to watch them perform.

 

Critiques: Kelly talks about Carlito singing in English, then in Spanish, and also dancing as though he is the first person to pull this off. Demi speaks Spanish and tells him he did well. Simon thinks the performance was singing and a magic act all at the same time. He also says the song was perfect for Carlito. I can't possibly listen to Paulina.

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Act:     Restless Road

Team: Simon

Song: "Wanted" by Hunter Hayes

 

The boys really excel when their performances are about vocals only, so this was a smart song choice. This performance is reminiscent of "Wake Me Up" last week, and the boys sound fantastic. Sometimes I do wish Colton had been able to compete this season as a solo act...but who knows what Paulina would have done him?

 

Critiques: Standing ovation from everyone. Kelly likes to think the boys were singing directly to her. Demi says the performance was comfortable and confident. She also thinks the boys might have just saved themselves. Paulina says the vocal was amazing. Simon tells the group that this the type of record they could make right now.

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Act:     Alex & Sierra

Team: Simon

Song:  "Gravity" by Sara Bareilles

 

I had thought nothing would top Alex & Sierra's rendition of "Say Something" last week but I was wrong. With no instruments to play, this performance is far more intimate. I almost feel like I'm intruding on something very, very special. Sierra is also just so amazing in this song. The way Alex looks at her while she sings is the way most people are probably looking at her tonight. Unreal.

 

 

Critiques: Standing ovation from everyone. Kelly begins to cry talking about how Sierra has grown. Demi is crying as well, saying the performance was flawless, and she re-iterates that she is looking at stars. Paulina loves...love. She says watching Alex & Sierra throughout the season has been an amazing experience. Simon wishes he could bottle the last 10 seconds of the song and have it for the rest of his life, because it was perfection.

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Act:      Jeff Gutt

Team:  Kelly

Song:  "Demons" by Imagine Dragons

 

Either Jeff is about to go through the looking glass or he's just about to give an outstanding performance. It's the latter, though I do really love the massive mirrors that aren't really mirrors behind him. I think this is a smart choice for him because he's finally singing a current song, and I can now see him releasing an album. Maybe something Daughtry-esque? 

 

Critiques: Everyone stands again. Demi thinks that Jeff's time is now. Paulina says Jeff was powerful on this song and compliments Kelly on her work with Jeff. Simon says the performance was incredible and the episode on the whole was great TV. Kelly cries again, and I'm touched by how genuine she is about being a mentor.

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Tomorrow we will find out which three acts will duke it out in the finale. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Restless Road, Jeff Gutt, and Alex & Sierra make it through. I appreciate that Carlito has been dubbed "the underdog," but being an underdog doesn't always mean you should win. Will he sail through again anyway? Should anyone but Alex & Sierra win? Can we get confirmation that Paulina will not be a judge should The X Factor come back for a fourth season? We'll find out soon. Til then!

 

 

 

 

The X Factor: Where My Girls At?

It's elimination night on The X Factor and two more acts will be shown the door this evening. Any team could be completely eliminated in this hour as Demi and Simon both have two acts remaining and Paulina and Kelly each have one. Is it too late to bring Lillie back?

 

We start results show with the act that received the overall lowest number of votes. This week that act is.... Ellona. WHOA. This is a surprise to me and clearly a surprise to her. I realize we're getting down to the wire and the eliminations are tough but I never would have expected her to be the automatic elimination tonight. Bummer.

 

Jeff, Restless Road and Alex & Sierra are announced safe, leaving Rion and Carlito in the bottom 2. Well we already know how this is going to go. The judges inexplicably drooled over Carlito last night and he's suddenly some amazing undiscovered talent that should be in the finals.

 

Rion takes on "The House That Built Me" by Miranda Lambert and gives it her all. I really do love this kid. Carlito chooses Usher's "You Make Me Wanna" and delivers a wannabe Usher performance with weak vocals.

 

When it comes time to vote, Demi votes to send Carlito home and Kelly and Paulina vote to send home Rion. Simon decides not to let the vote go to a tie this week and sends home Rion as well...because again, Carlito is suddenly the second coming of...who? Stefano? Lou Bega? Los Del Rio? Sigh...

 

Next week we have the semi-finals and our final four will compete for a spot in the 2013 finale. At this point I'm just focused on Alex & Sierra and I hope they win, but we'll see what happens in the next couple of weeks. Til then!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The X Factor: I Live For The Applause

The Top 6 acts compete again tonight on The X Factor, and we are getting down to the wire with the 2013 season. Each act will perform twice tonight - one song made famous by a "diva" and the other song an acoustic tune. There are only four spots in the semi-finals so the contestants have a lot on their plate tonight. Let's see how they do...

Act:     Restless Road
Team: Simon
Song:  "Red" by Taylor Swift

 

The band really overpowers the guys on this song and the tall one with the deep voice still can't do any kind of movements without looking at the other two guys to make sure it's okay. They continue to just stand awkwardly rather than try to work the stage (or the crowd). Come on guys - your good looks are your biggest assets in this competition. Go high five some audience members or something!

 

Critiques: Kelly thinks the vocals were tight tonight but wants more energy from them. Demi says she has enjoyed watching the group grow as artists and compliments the song choice. Paulina tells the boys they are cute and says she liked the song. Simon believes Restless Road deserves to be in the finals.

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Act:     Rion Paige
Team: Demi
Song:  "See You Again" by Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood is one of Rion's idols and I'm sure she loved tackling this song. Rion does a good job but "See You Again" is a little too big for her. The problem with diva night is...if you don't switch the song up at all, you're just going to be compared to that diva. Unfortunately, Rion is no Carrie Underwood.

 

Critiques: Kelly says that Rion always sings "from a real place." She then tells Rion she looks beautiful so I'm guessing she just doesn't want to say she didn't like the performance. Paulina calls her "Reee-on" and says she loves her tone and uniqueness. Simon didn't like the song choice but does like that Rion went back to her country roots.

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Act:     Jeff Gutt
Team: Kelly
Song: "Without You" by Mariah Carey (originally by Harry Nillson)

Jeff puts his rock n' roll spin on this song, turning it quickly into a stadium performance. It becomes far less sappy and far more gut-wrenching, and vocally...he just sounds fantastic. Jeff hasn't been (and still isn't) one of my favorites in this competition, but I will admit that he has shown considerable improvement each week. 

 

Critiques: Demi thinks Jeff has come a long way and he has "the x factor." Paulina says Jeff rocks and thinks Jeff reminds her of Axl Rose. She also wants Jeff to show her blood. I never know what the hell she's talking about. Simon says Jeff is boring as a person but completely transforms on stage. Kelly doesn't need to see no blood.

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Act:     Ellona Santiago
Team: Demi
Song:  "Applause" by Lady Gaga

See, I think this is a risky song choice. Taking on a diva song is one thing, but taking on a diva song about...well...being a diva is something completely different. Any other Lady Gaga song would have probably worked for Ellona here, but this performance was all over the place for me. I've been a fan of hers this whole season, and I've actually enjoyed what other people have been calling her "over the top" performances, but this wasn't one of my favorites.

Critiques: Kelly thinks this was one of Ellona's best performances but tells her to control her big notes. Paulina keeps telling Ellona that "you're Ellona" which is incredibly helpful for the rest of us who weren't quite sure who this kid is. Simon says Ellona has gone from being a mouse to a tiger and says he loved that version of the song. Demi thinks America should vote for Ellona because she deserves it.

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Act:     Alex & Sierra
Team: Simon
Song:  "Say My Name" by Destiny's Child

Oh snap! Performing a Destiny's Child song in front of Kelly must be nerve wracking. They keep the song more like the original than I thought they would, but the duo still manages to make their performance sexy and smooth. Sierra is the surprise from me in this song. She seems to have such a shy personality but she is totally sassy here. Nicely done.

 

Critiques: Kelly was not ready for that at all and says Alex & Sierra pulled it off. Demi thinks the duo was nervous but that Sierra has broken out of her shell. Paulina is into Alex & Sierra's love story and she loves them...and their love story...as well as their love. Simon thinks he's looking at winners.

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Act:     Carlito Olivero
Team: Paulina
Song:  "Let's Get Loud" by Jennifer Lopez

This is one of my favorite JLo songs. It's fun, it's upbeat, and it doesn't sound like 20 of her other songs. This is not the tune Carlito and Paulina started the week with, however. They made a last minute change and he had minimal time to rehearse "Let's Get Loud." It shows in his performance. This type of song could easily be a showstopper, but Carlito's delivery is underwhelming.

Critiques: Kelly thinks the performance fell flat and Carlito says he only had 24 hours to learn the song. Demi says Carlito lost his "hot, Latin" swag in this performance. Simon believes the girls are being unfair because of the song change. He says he doesn't want to lose Carlito this week. Demi agrees. Whoa, what? Is Carlito now one of those contestants who is "supposed" to go to the finals so we're going to make excuses for him? Outrageous. I can't even listen to Paulina.

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Act:     Restless Road
Team: Simon
 Song: “Wake Me Up” by Avicii

Caroline on The Voice attempted a stripped down version of this song recently and I hated it, so I'm already hesitant when the performance begins. However, I love the rendition Restless Road gives us here. The boys sit on stools and just sing. There's no choreography, no big lights and effects....they are just them being themselves and taking it all in. This is my favorite Restless Road performance and I'm a little sad when it ends.

 

Critiques: Kelly says each member of the group left their heart out on the stage. Demi points at Colton and says "you're making me cry right now." The lead singer of the group is definitely getting emotional. Demi says they've earned a spot in the finals. Okay, there are six acts left. EVERYONE can't be in the finals, kid. Paulina is proud to be here and see their performances. Simon says the group was honest and they have come a long way.

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Act:     Rion Paige
Team: Demi
 Song:  "Glass" by Thompson Square

This song is more in Rion's wheelhouse as she's able to feel the music without needing to be over the top vocally. My favorite thing about Rion is the way she gets lost in a song and how she is able to tell a story each time she sings. I don't need her to be a diva. I like her as a teenager with a deep love for music. This is an excellent performance and I'm so glad she was able to end the night this way.

Critiques: Kelly is crying and says an "unplugged" round allows the audience to see the contestants vulnerable, and that's what is so beautiful about watching Rion. Demi is sobbing but it's not her turn yet. Paulina calls Rion and inspiration and tells her she has t"he x factor." Simon felt every word of the song and thinks she saved herself with that performance. Demi is a mess. She says Rion embodies the meaning of the song and says no one is perfect...and no one has to be.

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Act:      Jeff Gutt
Team:  Kelly
 Song:  "Daniel" by Elton John

Jeff dedicates this song to his brother who is serving his country in the armed forces. He plays an acoustic guitar and sits center stage on a stool to deliver his rendition of "Daniel." He does a good job on the song, but I'm a little bored by it. I appreciate the dedication though as well as his brother's touching reaction to the song from the audience.

 

Critiques: Demi says the performance was good but stale. Paulina loves that Jeff dedicated the song to his brother and also love the way he played the guitar. Simon agrees with Demi and says Jeff's first song was better. Kelly is so proud of Jeff for opening up and sharing his heart with America.

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Act:     Ellona Santiago
Team: Demi
 Song: "If I Were A Boy" by Beyoncé

Great song. Ellona starts off a capella and is joined by an acoustic guitar as she eases into the first chorus. She's solo here - no dancers, massive sets, or props. Ellona is obviously not going to touch Beyoncé on this song, but she delivers an amazing vocal performance. Well done.

 

Critiques: Kelly loved the softer parts of the song and tells Ellona to explore those softer tones more. Paulina feels that Ellona has everything she needs for "the x factor." So really, are there multiple winners this year? Simon says this is what he has been waiting for - just her and her voice. He tells her the performance was incredible. Demi says Ellona has an incredible voice and she can definitely win the competition. Her and everybody else? 

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Act:     Alex & Sierra
Team: Simon
 Song: "Say Something" by A Great Big World featuring Christina Aguilera

Sierra plays the piano as Alex looks at her longingly while playing the guitar. She has the same aching in her eyes when she looks up to sing with him. The two are surrounded by candles...and this performance is fantastic. They sound amazing and I am totally drawn in to every aspect of what they are doing. This is definitely the best of the night.

 

 

Critiques: Standing ovation from all four judges. Kelly feels like she was just watching a performance on an awards show. Demi says the two never took their eyes off each other and it was beautiful. She also says she needs them in the final four. I take a quick break to  slam my palm against my forehead. Paulina still loves the duo and Simon says this was his favorite performance of the entire season.

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Act:     Carlito Olivero
Team: Paulina
 Song: "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King

Carlito goes back and forth between English lyrics and Spanish lyrics which is interesting given his lack of Latino heat in JLo's song earlier. He gets his swag back though, being playful with the audience and flirting with the ladies. Carlito also sounds better than he has in quite a while. I have no idea why he got the pimp slot tonight though...other than The X Factor producers wanting to shove him down our throats.

Critiques: Kelly says this was Carlito's best vocal of the competition. Demi wishes there hadn't been so much music in the background because his voice was so amazing. Simon tells Carlito that his second song was better than his first and reiterates that Carlito should make it to next week. Paulina puts her arms up in their air and says...something.

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Two more will go home tomorrow and we will be down to the semi-finalists for the season. Do the judges realize that telling everyone they deserve to be in the finals doesn't work out mathematically? Will the new found love for Carlito rub off on America? Does Rion have a shot at avoiding the bottom 2 this week? Are Alex and Sierra bound for stardom? We'll find out soon. Til then! 

The X Factor: Lady Sings The Blues

During tonight's elimination hour on The X Factor we wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and then shatter the hopes and dreams for two more acts. Pretty sure that's the opposite of what the Pilgrims had in mind, but I imagine they also would have been startled by the Macy's parade as well. With an hour to kill, and knowing there's football on and leftovers to be had, I'm eager to know the results. Here are the highlights:

 

Now that we are getting down to the wire the eliminations are starting to get more difficult to swallow. The first person who is shown the door tonight is Lillie, as she had the overall fewest number of votes. Damn it. I can't begin to tell you how disappointed I am that her journey stops here. She handles it well, and I do hope I hear her on my radio someday...but since I barely hear the winners of this show on my radio, I'm guessing this is pretty much it for Lillie. Sad face.

 

Now that Lillie is gone, I'm nervous to find out who the remaining bottom 2 are. Mario announces that Carlito is safe first and I assume my remaining favorites are done for. Ellona is safe as well (phew!) as are Alex & Sierra (double phew!). Restless Road joins the Top 6 as well and Jeff Gutt advances next. This leaves Rion and Josh....and I fear my little Rion is a goner.

 

Rion performs first, taking on Pink's "Perfect." At first think she's going to give a sad, somber delivery of this song, but instead she's sassy and determined. Josh is up next, though Paulina introduces Carlito by mistake. It's okay Paulina...I assumed he'd have to sing for the save too. Josh chooses to perform "When I Was Your Man" by Bruno Mars and does a fantastic job. I realize that he's more marketable as an artist but I still hold out hope that Rion advances anyway.

 

When it comes time to vote Demi chooses to send Josh home with Paulina and Kelly voting to send home Rion. It's down to Simon to put the votes to a tie or end Rion's journey and he chooses to send home Josh...which puts the decision solely in America's hands. The person with the lowest number of votes is Josh (wow!) and we say goodbye to him tonight.

 

So Rion advances to the Top 6 and has some work ahead of her next week. Paulina and Kelly have some bouncing back to do as well since they are both down to one act each. Demi and Simon each retained their two acts and next week's show should be exciting. I said should be...I can't make any guarantees. Has Carlito finally landed a fan base? Is Jeff Gutt a dark horse in this competition? With Lillie and Josh gone, are we facing an Ellona vs. Alex & Sierra finale? We'll find out when the remaining acts take the stage again next week. Til then!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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!

The X Factor: Times of Trouble

Tonight on The X Factor two more acts will go home as the teams are whittled down to eight contenders. We re-watch the good, the bad and the ugly from last night’s performance episode in an effort to kill about 8 minutes of the hour and then we get going…

The first elimination of the night is the act with the lowest number of votes and that act will also not have the opportunity to sing for a save. Unfortunately…Khaya is that person tonight. Wow. Really? This kid just couldn’t drum up support, huh? That’s really a shame because she’s more talented than several of the remaining contestants.

The final elimination comes down to Tim and Carlito...so Paulina is going to have to choose between two of her guys. Tim takes on “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban as his save me song and he sings it well. Again, no one is calling this guy’s voice into question. It’s his lack of stage presence, lack of personality, and lack of entertainment quality that puts him below the other contestants on this show. Carlito, to this point, has had the opposite problem. He has many qualities of a true entertainer, but his vocals just aren’t always stellar. He chooses “Beneath Your Beautiful” by Labrinth and Emile Sande…which was also just performed on The Voice. Sigh. Carlito should stay away from any future a capella attempts, as evidenced by the first half of the song…but the second half is much better. He looks more confident, he’s working the sexy, and it also looks like he’s working the Demi.

Kelly and Demi vote to send Tim home, giving Paulina and Simon a chance to tie it up. In the event of a tie, the person with the lowest number of votes is automatically eliminated. Paulina votes to send Tim home though so we don’t even have to hear from Simon. Interesting.

I think between the two guys Tim was the right choice. Hell, I think Tim was the right choice tonight regardless. Paulina now only has Carlito and Josh remaining, with Simon retaining Alex & Sierra and Restless Road, Demi holding on to Rion and Ellona, and Kelly keeping Lillie and Jeff. It’s still an even playing ground on The X Factor but we will definitely see a shift in numbers again next week. Can Carlito fight back? Will the boys of Restless Road loosen up and have some fun? Will Simon and Kelly finally get into an all-out fight (my money is on Kelly)? We’ll see what happens when the Top 8 take the stage next week. Til then!

The X Factor: Fix You

On tonight’s episode of The X Factor the remaining ten contestants take on The British Invasion…because clearly none of these shows have done British Invasion night before. Sigh. As long as this doesn’t turn into a Beatles night, or a Lennon/McCartney night I think we’ll be okay. Just keeping my fingers crossed for something different, so let’s see what the Top 10 come up with!

 

 
Act:             Jeff Gutt
Team:         Kelly
Song:          “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen

Oh wow. This is really ambitious, but I’m already on board because Jeff starts the song while sitting on the Iron Throne. Anyone who gives me a Game of Thrones reference during a performance has my support. It’s always tough when they chop this song up for time purposes though…”Bohemian Rhapsody” builds for a reason, and skipping over parts always makes me wince. I wish Jeff was rocking out more when the song hits its peak, but he sang this song wayyyy better than I thought he would.

Critiques: Paulina says Jeff’s performance was a powerful way to start the show. Demi thinks this was Jeff’s best performance yet and Simon agrees! Kelly tells Jeff he rocked this week.

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Act:            Tim Olstad

Team:       Paulina
Song:         “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word” by Elton John

Tim wants to do something different this week, so he chooses to sing behind the piano. Daring! For a little while anyway…then it’s the same old thing. Is it better this week? Yeah, I can say it is. Tim just isn’t someone I’m rooting for unfortunately.

Critiques: Kelly thinks Tim stepped it up a couple of notches this week, calling him sexy behind the piano. Demi is blushing a little. She really liked the performance and says Tim should go the R&B route because it’s less boring. Simon believes the problem with Tim is – he’s a singing hamster and everyone wants him to be a singing lion. Paulina calls him “Siiiiimba” and I move on.

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Act:           Khaya Cohen

Team:       Demi
Song:        “Let It Be” by John Lennon

And here we go. This is actually my favorite song from the Lennon-McCartney songbook. Khaya doesn’t want to land in the bottom 2 again this week so she goes all out on this performance. Sometimes it’s a bit shouty, but I do appreciate what she tries to do here. Khaya throws herself into the song emotionally and doesn’t hold back…I really hope that works for her and she is able to build more of a fan base this week.

Critiques: Kelly says Khaya’s voice has a high, incredible power to it. Paulina says Khaya shows her soul when she’s singing and thinks this was her best performance. Simon thinks the fact that Khaya was in the bottom 2 last week was a joke because she’s a talented singer with a lot of potential, and Demi agrees.

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Act:            Josh Levi

Team:        Paulina
Song:         “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by the Eurythmics

This is actually the perfect song for Josh. I love the arrangement, I love the staging, and I think this kid is going to stick around for a while. Nicely done.

Critiques: Kelly is jealous that Paulina is Josh’s mentor. Demi says Josh reminds her of a young Chris Brown (pre-Rihanna?) and thinks he has a long career ahead of him. Simon hated the dancers in the background and wants to see Josh on his own. Paulina doesn’t care what Simon says and tells Josh: “We have the power in this competition.”

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Act:           Alex & Sierra

Team:      Simon
Song:       “Best Song Ever” by One Direction

I’m oddly excited that British Invasion night includes One Direction. The duo goes back to standing side by side this week with a neat little “bridge at nighttime” effect that is very romantic. I love these two. I just watch them with my head kind of titled to the side with a big smile on my face. Their take on this song is fantastic and I’m SO excited for them.

 
Critiques: Kelly thinks Alex was stronger than Sierra this week and I wait for Simon to choke her Homer Simpson style. He refrains and I am relieved. Paulina thinks the bridge was corny, but Demi completely disagrees. She loved the performance but plans to go download the song on iTunes. Simon calls the performance brilliant.
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Act:           Rion Paige

Team:       Demi
Song:        “Your Song” by Elton John

Demi encourages Rion to stay vulnerable in her performances and Rion takes that and runs with it. She’s 100% emotionally invested in this song, and it’s just beautiful. When I think about how young Rion is and how well she carries herself…combined with her amazing talent, I just can’t help but root for her. Well done, kid.

Critiques: Kelly says “The X Factor contestants are not messin’ around tonight.” She tells Rion the performance was incredible. Paulina thinks that Rion gave us nostalgia tonight. Simon says Rion was absolutely fantastic tonight. Demi feels the emotion when Rion sings and is proud of the way Rion can control her performances as well as the audience.

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Act:          Carlito Olivero
Team:      Paulina
Song:       “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones

Paulina wants Carlito to channel Mick Jagger this week, because Mick doesn’t care what people think of him. Right. Well, this is a competition were people vote for you based on what they of you, so I think Paulina’s logic is flawed. Carlito performs the song flanked by screens of himself dancing, and it’s all just weird for me.  

Critiques:  Kelly thinks the performance was a huge step up from last week but thinks there’s something missing. Demi believes that Carlito needs to be crazy sexy all the time. Simon says the staging for the performance was sensational. Paulina tells Carlito he misses his smile and he needs to smile at the girls.  

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Act:           Lillie McCloud

Team:      Kelly
Song:       “This Woman’s Work” by Kate Bush
                                            

Lillie has never heard this song before so I initially worry. She wants to be able to own a song and feel it, and that’s a bit more challenging if you are completely unfamiliar with it and have less than a week to put together a performance. If she hadn’t mentioned any of this in the video package, I would have had no idea she had just learned the song. Lillie owns it anyway and the way she delivers the lyrics…you would think she wrote the song herself. Awesome.

 

Critiques: Paulina says Lillie’s talent is refreshing. Demi was waiting for a huge note that never came but she still enjoyed the performance. Simon says the performance was brilliant and tonight she has “arrived.” Kelly loves that Lillie is still able to share her gift and she is grateful to be working with her.

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Act:           Ellona Santiago

Team:       Demi
Song:        “Burn” by Ellie Goulding

First off, the staging is fantastic. Ellona doesn’t look like a kid who is trying to make this work…she looks like a natural and totally holds her own. She’s out of breath a few times, but this is a really difficult song to sing…and by the end, I’m definitely applauding from my couch. I’m always impressed by this kid, and I think she stepped it up this week from a performance standpoint. We knew she could sing, but now we know for sure that she is an entertainer.

 

Critiques: Kelly thinks Ellona always brings something extra to the stage and compliments her on the big note. Paulina says not to worry about the dancing because her voice is so awesome. Simon doesn’t know who Ellona is yet as an artist. Demi thinks Ellona killed the performance.

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Act:            Restless Road

Team:        Simon
Song:         “Fix You” by Coldplay

 

Whoa! This is not the song I would have expected…especially since Simon had the boy band Emblem3 do that awful rendition of “Hey Jude” last year.  I also never would have listened to Coldplay’s version and thought: “this should totally be covered by a trio of country dudes” and clearly I’m wrong. I’m not sure that this is a performance worthy of the closing spot on the show, but I do think they do a great job here.

 

Critiques: Kelly is waiting on her Restless Road t-shirt but thinks the harmonies need to be tighter. Paulina loved the song, but Demi agrees with Kelly. Simon thought it was one of the best performances of the night. Of course he did.

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Overall I thought there were a ton of improvements made tonight and the contestants are really trying to step up their game. Tomorrow two more acts will go home and the competition will be down to eight competitors. Did Carlito do enough to get himself back on track this week? Can Tim defy the odds again? Will Khaya get herself out of the bottom 2? All will be revealed during the results show. Til then!