X Factor’s TOP 9 take on the songs of rock royalty and the King of Pop.
Tonight’s episode starts at 8pm GMT, 9pm CET, 3pm EDT, 12pm PDT.
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Tonight we celebrate murder the hits of Queen and Michael Jackson.
Wow, Dermot’s entrance tonight is special – dancing.
Judges enter with “We Will Rock You” for background music.
The phone lines are now open!
Paul Akister – Don’t Stop Me Now (Queen)
Paul gets a Skype call from Adam Lambert. He advises Paul to be more camp.
UGH, this was a terrible song choice for Paul, IMO. His voice is just not made for this song. He has no edge at all and he can’t pull this off. He can definitely sing, but that’s just one part of the whole deal.
Louis: You are an amazing singer and people like you, I would rate you 10/10 for singing.
Cheryl: You are a great singer. Trust Mel …
Simon: You have sung incredibly well. If you are miserable, we are miserable …
Mel B: You did it! You gave me sleepless nights this week …
Dermot announces Queen and Adam Lambert will indeed perform on The X Factor in a few weeks!
Jay James – The Show Must Go On (Queen)
Reportedly Jay James is ill and he lost his voice today.
Jay got to visit injured soldiers. Then we find out Jay James had a record deal in the past. Jay James lost his voice 21 hours before this show. YIKES.
He starts the song backstage, in front of a mirror and then he walks towards the stage. The song is heavily re-arranged for him to be able to sing it. He sounds okay, until the end when he misses some notes big time. The staging sucks – the stage is transformed into an empty bar.
Louis: A brilliant song choice! You are consistently good every week!
Mel B: I wasn’t felling it. I could see you were uncomfortable and stressed out and as a performer you have to put it aside and deliver. I much preferred what you were wearing last week, you look like you are going to a pub. I could feel the disappointment at the end of the song.
Cheryl: As a performer I feel for you.
Simon: The expression on your face said it all. It’s very rare to get a second chance when you record deal doesn’t work out.
Lauren Platt – I’ll Be There (Jackson 5)
She went home this week. She wants to go back to real singing this week. I hear she is also ill, so hopefully she pull through.
She sounds fine, but but nothing remarkable. She somehow pulled through.
Louis: All I know is, you look and sing like a popstar. You made the song your own!
Mel B: You are 17 and you perform that song like you are performing your entire life. I hear you have tonsillitis …
Simon: I think the ending was fantastic.
Cheryl: I am more and more fond of you each week. You have tonsillitis…
RedFoo from LMFAO is in the audience! He is a judge on Australian XF.
Only The Young – Blame It On The Boogie (Michael Jackson)
They took Louis to disco roller. The group rehearses all the time.
Ohoho, Only The You got a big production tonight! Weird how the two acts before them got nothing. I hear no big problems in the vocal department. Overall, this was solid. And fun!
Mel B: That was a fun, lively, happy performance!
Cheryl: From being from a group I know you have to have chemistry!
Simon: There is a gap in the market for a group like you. It’s important that you make decisions for yourself because Louis is 75. I think you are popping!
Louis: We need this band in the competition!
Ben Haenow – Man In The Mirror (Michael Jackson)
He has a brother that looks a lot like Ben. They had a band and then his brother started losing hearing.
Simon wants him to sing acappella. Ben obeys and I’m not sure this was a great idea. The beginning felt kinda flat to me. Once the music kicks in, it gets better. And he gets a choir support. Eh, eh, eh.
Louis: Ben Haenow, wow, wow. You took one of MJ’s iconic song and sung it acappella. Sign of a true artist!
Mel B: Your best performance was last week, tonight your voice was too exposed. I would be worried.
Cheryl: It was a massive risk to sing acappella, I don’t know if it was a good or a bad thing.
Simon: It takes real guts to sing that song on TV with nothing. I think this is a moment we see a potential star being born.
Stevi Ritchie – Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen)
Stevi visited the call center where he used to work. He gets tearful during the footage of him skyping with his daughter.
We start with 4 Stevi’s singing the harmonies. Stevi is doing what even the original band didn’t do do live. Huge production. Stevi is even dressed up as Freddie. Brian Friedman outdid himself again. Simon gives Stevi a standing ovation. I think I need a hour to process what I’ve just witnessed.
Louis: What just happened, you became a rock god. I think Freddie would love you because he was as camp as Christmas …
Mel B: I feel like I was trippin’ and I still don’t feel normal.
Cheryl: You really took the theme and ran with it.
Simon: This is the performance you will be remembered for in many ways.
Stereo Kicks – You Are Not Alone (Michael Jackson)
They were in the sing off last week for the second time last week. This week, they chatter with fans via Skype and played football with Louis as a coach. TOP 8 got on tour and Stereo Kicks want to be there.
They all sit on stools this week. Nice harmonies. They work the moving camera and the girls go crazy when they finish. Oh, somebody from the audience jumped on stage and pretended to sing with the boyband. #securityfail
Mel B: This is exactly what I’ve been wanting you to do since day 1. That was your best performance to date.
Cheryl: I don’t know how I would deal with the moving camera.
Simon: I mean, Louis, one moment you want to turn them into 5 piece and then you turn them into 9 piece.
Louis: I don’t want to lose them, I need votes!
Fleur East – Will You Be There (Michael Jackson)
This week she wants to show everyone that she isn’t just a dancer. She is playing her diva card tonight. She also gets a choir. The song is big and Fleur definitely pulled it off, but at the same time I feel there were no outstanding vocal moments from Fleur to take it to the next level.
Louis: You’ve been working all your life to get to this point!
Mel B: Two snaps and a click. You shut me up, again! You need to stay in this competition.
Cheryl: I want to you stay, people will enjoy you on tour!
Simon: You just continue to surprise me! That song has 4 key changes in it. You are not just a performer, you are a great singer.
During the commercial break, there is a commercial for Take That’s tour next summer … with a special guest … Ella Henderson. Good gig.
Andrea Faustini – Somebody To Love (Queen)
Andrea gets the pimp spot, so this better be a good one!
It took him ages o take off the gold make up. He gets to go home to Italy. So much TV gold in this VT, I think this will seal the victory for Andrea. Who cares about singing.
He starts acappella. His soulful voice has more edge than Paul, so he is definitely better in that department. Performance of the night. Well, almost, I’m afraid Stevi is a step ahead.
Louis: Andrea, I didn’t think you could get any better. You sing like a little Lucianno.
Cheryl: Everybody loves you!
Simon: You came back and proved you are a brilliant singer. Your family is adorable.
Mel B: You just have that something extra special.
Recap: Can we send Jay James home tonight? They put his worst notes in the recap. Plus, it’s time for one of the overs to go home. OMG what Stevi did can not be erased from X Factor’s history!
Tomorrow: One Direction and Sam Smith
Stevi Ritchie performs Queen’s I Want To Break Free
‘There are so many of them I thought anyone could have a go’: Prankster Lee Nelson gatecrashes Stereo Kicks’ live performance on The X Factor
Stereo Kicks nearly became a nine-piece band after a well-known prankster jumped on stage while they were performing on The X Factor on Saturday night.
The band managed to keep their composure when the audience member ran onto the stage right in the middle of their impressive performance of Michael Jackson’s hit, You Are Not Alone – with 14-year-old Charlie Jones even reaching out to welcome the intruder.
But Simon Cowell and fellow judge Louis Walsh leapt from their seats in apparent indignation.
Comedian Lee Nelson, who was hard to miss in a red bomber jacket, felt the need to join the boys and mime along to the song.
As Walsh gestured furiously for him to leave the stage, Nelson was bundled away by a security guard.
Read more: Daily Mail
‘This is possibly one of the greatest X Factor performances of all time’: Simon Cowell praises ‘rock god’ Stevi Ritchie for standout Bohemian Rhapsody cover
Saturday night’s X Factor took a shocking twist when comedian Lee Nelson gatecrashed Stereo Kicks’s performance.
But the show also featured the contestants usual battle to convince audiences that they deserve to stay on the singing contest.
The week’s theme, Queen vs Michael Jackson, certainly raised the stakes as the contestants performed hits from two of the most iconic music acts in history.
Read more: Daily Mail
Getting wiggy with it! Louis Walsh dons curly hair piece and retro glasses as he takes a trip to the roller disco with X Factor group Only The Young
It was announced during the week that the judges and producers of The X Factor had chosen to ditch this week’s Disco theme.
But it seems Louis Walsh didn’t get the memo as he was pictured channelling 70’s fashion while spending time with his act, Only The Young.
The judge and his talented hopefuls enjoyed a trip to a roller disco as they prepared to fight to keep their place in the singing competition.
Read more: Daily Mail
Back to his homeland! X Factor’s Andrea Faustini gets incredibly warm reception as he returns to Italy before tucking into his favourite meal
Despite Queen versus Michael Jackson week fast approaching, Andrea Faustini still found time to squeeze in a quick trip home to Italy on Tuesday.
The talented Rome-born crooner took a break from X Factor rehearsals to pay his family a surprise visit – and they couldn’t have looked more pleased to see him.
The 20-year-old was seen tucking into his favourite meal of homemade lasagna, before finding out what the local press had been saying about him.
Read more: Daily Mail
What a nice mentor she is! Cheryl Fernandez-Versini surprises Lauren Platt and her parents with afternoon tea before flicking through family snaps
She has one act left in the competition, so unsurprisingly Cheryl Fernandez-Versini could turn all her attentions to her final contestant prior to this weekend’s live show.
The X Factor mentor surprised Lauren Platt with a special afternoon tea with her parents on Thursday at London’s Langham Hotel.
The 31-year-old was seen hugging the 17-year-old’s parents Sasha and Brad before flicking through the family photo album.
Read more: Daily Mail
Show ’em how it’s done! X Factor judge Mel B stuns in slit sweater dress as she coaches her two remaining acts ahead of Saturday night’s live show
Only half her acts remain in the competition and Mel B is determined not to lose them.
Since Jack Walton was booted off the show during last weekend’s Halloween themed X Factor special, the former Spice Girl seemed more driven to win than ever during rehearsals on Friday.
The mother-of-three, 39, coached the last two boys in her category with fierce enthusiasm – not just by commenting on their performance from the judging panel, but hopping on stage to personally show them the ropes.
Read more: Daily Mail
‘Harding is in the house!’: Cheryl Fernandez-Versini joined by ex-Girls Aloud band mate Sarah at The X Factor… after slating Nadine Coyle for ‘telling lies’
Much has been said about the supposed falling-out of the Girls Aloud stars over the years, and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini certainly didn’t hold back recently when discussing her former band mate Nadine Coyle.
However, just days after accusing Nadine of ‘telling porkie pies’ when claiming she didn’t want to band to split, it’s clear she’s still on excellent terms with Sarah Harding.
Sarah turned up to Saturday night’s X Factor to lend her undivided support to her pal, who has just one act left in the competition.
Read more: Daily Mail
Million dollar smile: Cheryl Fernandez-Versini smirks as she leaves X Factor set with Jean-Bernard after reports she is ‘set to sign £2million deal to stay on show’
She is said to be in talks to sign a £2million deal to return to the X Factor, so no wonder Cheryl Fernandez-Versini looked so happy as she left set last night.
The 31-year-old singer is rumoured to have negotiated a record fee to come back as a judge next year as bosses are keen to make her stay.
The X Factor judge smiled knowingly as she exited the show on Saturday, escorted by her supportive husband Jean-Bernard.
Read more: Daily Mail
