Maybe we can just have a Top 13 all season, and then at the end someone just wins? Would that be more interesting? Or do you just want to see people go home. Join me tonight!
80’s Night… causes Mario to awkwardly dance on stage.
Someone is going home at the top of the show. I wonder if they’ll get to sing for their life, with the judges deciding.
The Act Eliminated: CARLOS GUEVERA
I had a feeling.
He says it was the best experience of his life. Paulina calls him a champion. I think she’s not quite sure what that word means…
1) Lillie McCloud- Ain’t Nobody
Lillie discusses her past recording history. Lillie has worked SO hard for this. Lillie takes her ear piece out early on, which might be why the beginning was mediocre. They’ve thrown some light choreography at her this week, and given her an uptempo song. It’s tough to make Lillie seem relevant when the themes are so awful every week. This is a pop star song that requires little vocal ability. It’s hard for Lillie to impress with this song choice, but I guess the idea was to make her seem more youthful. In a few parts, Lillie sings her face off. I won’t be downloading this, but it was an alright performance. It allowed Lillie to do something different at least. Simon says she’s a naughty little thing. Simon likes that she made an attempt to be current. Simon asks Lillie if she thinks she can win. Lillie says she’s a chameleon. Lillie keeps talking over Mario. LOL.
My Grade: B- (Not really a song that showed off her vocals, but it did make her seem a bit more relevant)
To vote for Lillie:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM until 10AM PT THURSDAY, and you can vote up to 50 TIMES.
You can also use the X-Factor USA app (voting is counted alongside the online voting)
You can text 8 to 21523
You can call 1-855-THE XF 08 (lines open only for two hours)
You can also vote using SHAZAM.
2) Carlito Olivero- Rhythm Is Gonna Get You
Carlito’s dad is here with him this week. His dad looks really young. Carlito reminds me a lot of Stefano from Idol. I thin Carlito is probably more of what X-Factor is looking for, as he might actually be able to be a pop star if paired with the right producer. He handles choreography well, his voice fits this rather easy song. I don’t like when he closes his eyes on stage (which he does a lot). I thought it was an easy song performed well (like Lillie). Again, I don’t know who would download this? Kelly says he’s not getting lost as a performer. Demi says she was paying more attention to the dancers. She says it wasn’t for her. Simon says Carlito needs to take more control of what he’s singing. Simon doesn’t think Carlito is going to survive this week. Paulina says he was showing fear. When your judge doesn’t give you good remarks, you know you’re screwed.
MY GRADE: B- (basically, the same as Lillie. Easy song, not a strong vocal song, that was performed adequately)
To vote for Carlito:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM until 10AM PT THURSDAY, and you can vote up to 50 TIMES.
You can also use the X-Factor USA app (voting is counted alongside the online voting)
You can text 2 to 21523
You can call 1-855-THE XF 02 (lines open only for two hours)
You can also vote using SHAZAM
3) Rion Paige- We Belong
Rion talks about the Spice Girls like they were from the 80’s. Demi isn’t old enough to be a specialist on the 80’s either. LOL at that dress. I do think it’s good that Demi found her a song that allows Rion to sing. I think Rion is the weakest vocalist (solo) in the competition, so it’s still not my favorite. It gets really rough in the middle for a few measures. She gets back in it. I like this better than last weeks song choice, even with that hiccup. I think this song fits her well. Kelly says it started a little rough, but it soared at the end. Paulina loves how Rion feels the music. Simon liked last week, and likes that Rion performs 110%. Simon thinks she can sing the phonebook, but needs to have more input in picking the right songs. Demi says Rion had a big say in song choice. Rion says they all agreed on the song. Rion would have had a hard time picking the perfect song for her, with her limited knowledge of the 80’s.
MY GRADE: B- (Some vocal hiccups, but an improvement upon last week)
To vote for Rion Paige:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM until 10AM PT THURSDAY, and you can vote up to 50 TIMES.
You can also use the X-Factor USA app (voting is counted alongside the online voting)
You can text 11 to 21523
You can call 1-855-THE XF 11 (lines open only for two hours)
You can also vote using SHAZAM
4) Sweet Suspense- Hey Mickey
I think this was a great song choice for them. It’s not meant to have a lot of harmony, which is good for them. These girls look ready to be a pop act. After three mixed performances, this is a nice wake up call. When Sweet Suspense was in the Top 16, I was sure I was going to hate them. I actually think they have what it takes to make it to the finale. They’ve improved each week, and much faster than Fifth Harmony. I also think the production on this number was surprisingly appropriate. I love the hearts with the Sweet Suspense on them. That should be their logo. Kelly says they weren’t in a rhythm as a group, and Kelly didn’t think the vocals were super tight (it was Hey Mickey, come on now). Paulina says they need to look at each other more. Demi says her favorite part was the fire. Demi says Simon isn’t working on them with their stage presence and calls it low energy. Simon says it was their best performance so far (I agree). Demi says they are no Fifth Harmony. Simon says it was the best performance of the night, and they worked and sounded like a group.
My Grade: A-
To vote for Sweet Suspense:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM until 10AM PT THURSDAY, and you can vote up to 50 TIMES.
You can also use the X-Factor USA app (voting is counted alongside the online voting)
You can text 12 to 21523
You can call 1-855-THE XF 12 (lines open only for two hours)
You can also vote using SHAZAM!
5) Tim Olstad- Against All Odds
The kiss of death song, for one of the weakest contestants. Tim is handing out with Sarah Hyland from Modern Family. For someone who wants to seem less like a funeral director, he really doesn’t know how to pick the right song to show that. There’s some girl roaming around on stage. I suppose they couldn’t figure out how to stage this song. The thing about Tim is that he is actually a good singer. He’s not quite in the pocket of the song though. This is one of the best renditions of this really over done song I can remember. Sarah Hyland is in the audience cheering him on. Kelly says it fell flat for her this week. No stage presence. Demi would send him home, says he isn’t growing. He has no X-Factor. Simon says he was distracted by the weird dancer. Simon thinks he needs to sing out of his comfort zone.
MY GRADE: C+ (Boring song, good vocal, no stage presence)
To vote for Tim Olstad:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM until 10AM PT THURSDAY, and you can vote up to 50 TIMES.
You can also use the X-Factor USA app (voting is counted alongside the online voting)
You can text 13 to 21523
You can call 1-855-THE XF 13 (lines open only for two hours)
You can also use SHAZAM!
6) Khaya Cohen- Borderline
Demi says this could be Khaya’s last performance. That’s doubtful, considering everything we’ve seen so far tonight. This is kind of a cool arrangement, and I think it sounds more current than what we’ve heard tonight. Khaya gets right up in Simon’s face. She’s got stage presence for days. It’s not as affected as My Girl, she’s found her balance. I like her. Khaya can sing her face off, and doesn’t need to affect anything. For 80’s week, this is a home run. I think she’s done everything she needed to this week. best performance of the night. Demi stands for her. Kelly tells Khaya that she’s ready for “this whole music thing”. Paulina says Khaya is singing better than ever. Simon thinks she’s showing personality and confidence. Simon thinks she’s getting better and better. Great song choice. Best performance so far. Demi says she killed it.
MY GRADE: A (Her best performance to date)
To vote for Khaya:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM until 10AM PT THURSDAY, and you can vote up to 50 TIMES.
You can also use the X-Factor USA app (voting is counted alongside the online voting)
You can text 7 to 21523
You can call 1-855-THE XF 07 (lines open only for two hours)
You can also vote using SHAZAM!
I don’t know what’s happening in the comments. If you hate all the performances, why are you still watching X-Factor? To be fair, I’m grading these performers within the parameters. I know they have to choose 80’s songs, and I’m not going to punish them in my grading for choosing old songs. This is a terrible theme, but some of them are trying to make the best of it.
7) Restless Road- Footloose
I don’t know why they aren’t doing a country song. There were country artists in the 80’s. Simon says we will see a different side of Restless Road tonight. I don’t think their song choices are going to sell them to Nashville. Tate Stevens stayed country for most of the competition, and he still didn’t do well. I think Simon is hoping that tweens will support them enough that they won’t need Nashville. These guys aren’t great solo singers, and it shows every time they break off into their own verses. This is a super easy song to sing. It’s hard to grade this, because I’m not sure what the point of this was. Vocally, they had some rough spots in the solo. Most of the song was on pitch though. I don’t think this song helped them get new fans. Kelly will be front row at their concert. Paulina loved it. Demi says they grow every week. Demi says Colton is stealing the show and has the X-Factor. Simon says they work harder than anyone else, and has a good feeling. I think it was better than last week, ultimately.
MY GRADE: B- (Was that really the best song choice? Bad solos)
To vote for Restless Road:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM until 10AM PT THURSDAY, and you can vote up to 50 TIMES.
You can also use the X-Factor USA app (voting is counted alongside the online voting)
You can text 10 to 21523
You can call 1-855-THE XF 10 (lines open only for two hours)
You can also vote using SHAZAM!
8) Rachel Potter- Alone
This is another overdone song. Probably a good song choice for Rachel, since people seem to think Country didn’t start as a genre until the 90’s. All three country acts didn’t choose a country song this week. This staging is a bit theatrical for me. Rachel has a tendency to overact while singing, but the vocals are fantastic. That scream though. It started off pitch. Rachel should avoid screaming. She can’t seem to do it on pitch. Still, one of my favorite performances of the night. Paulina says she’s a great singer. She loved the sass. Demi says she’s proud, and thinks Rachel can win. Simon says thank God she had a good song this week. Simon is worried about what kind of artist she wants to be. Kelly says no one in Simon’s category can sing like her.
MY GRADE: A- (Great vocal, one hiccup)
To vote for Rachel:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM until 10AM PT THURSDAY, and you can vote up to 50 TIMES.
You can also use the X-Factor USA app (voting is counted alongside the online voting)
You can text 9 to 21523
You can call 1-855-THE XF 09 (lines open only for two hours)
You can also vote using Shazam.
9) Ellona Santiago-I Wanna Dance With Somebody
Cool arrangement. They’ve tried to update it a bit. Ellona looks like a pop star, and performs like one. She tripped and fell, but really came out of it well. It didn’t mess up her vocals. Speaking of, her vocals are a little shaky when she’s doing too much choreography. She’s covering more of the stage, I think, than anyone else tonight. A few small pitch issues throughout, but a contemporary arrangement and the fact that she did sing her face off the rest of the time make up for that. Not the best of the night, but definitely one of the better ones. Kelly thinks she’s incredible, but thought the beginning was rough. Paulina loves that Ellona is a perfectionist. Simon thought the first 2/3rds was too erratic and crazy, but loved the last 30 seconds. Simon would like to see her do something with less choreography. Demi says if she had a penny for every time she slipped on stage, she’d be a millionaire. She is a millionaire, so she corrects herself to say “I’d have a million dollars”. LOL. Ellona says she performs every time like it’s her last time performing.
MY GRADE: B+ (A few vocal hiccups, a little trip, but a really solid vocal overall)
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM until 10AM PT THURSDAY, and you can vote up to 50 TIMES.
You can also use the X-Factor USA app (voting is counted alongside the online voting)
You can text 4 to 21523
You can call 1-855-THE XF 04 (lines open only for two hours)
You can also vote using SHAZAM!
They found a pic of Simon in the 80’s, when he had ARMS.
10) Josh Levi- Straight Up
I’m worried about this song choice. Unless Josh Levi is doing Andrew Garcia’s arrangement. Josh is worried because the last time he sang and danced, he went home. I thought he had a really good comeback last week, so he just needs to ride that. The beginning has some weak vocals. He works into it though, fairly quickly. Josh is probably the best dancer in the competition, and does the most choreography when he does it. His vocals also hold up better more than Ellona’s when he’s dancing. I actually really liked this. He looks like a pop star. I think that’s important. Kelly says that Josh Levi has arrived. Kelly says he needs to get out of his head. Demi says his potential is incredible. Simon says he was listening to a future star. Simon wishes he didn’t have any backup dancers, because he didn’t need them. He says Josh is one to watch. Paulina says he delivered every single note.
MY GRADE: A (Josh is a pop star)
To vote for Josh:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM until 10AM PT THURSDAY, and you can vote up to 50 TIMES.
You can also use the X-Factor USA app (voting is counted alongside the online voting)
You can text 6 to 21523
You can call 1-855-THE XF 06 (lines open only for two hours)
You can also vote using Shazam.
11) Jeff Gutt- I Just Died In Your Arm Tonight
Jeff should absolutely SLAY 80’s week. Jeff says he has a dollar in his bank account. Jeff is battling insomnia. This song was basically written for Jeff. Oddly enough, he has a few vocal hiccups in the middle, going flat. This song is so repetitive, he can’t do much with it other than sing his face off. No back up dancers. Solid performance. Paulina loved it and understands his thing. Demi says he’s one of her favorites. Demi is happy that Jeff is representing rock. Simon’s problem thinks it’s a little “I wanna be a rockstar”, and wants to hear him do a song outside of the genre that makes him an original. Simon calls him Spinal Tap. Kelly says he’s not afraid of work.
MY GRADE: B+ (Solid vocal, some problems, just alright performance)
To vote for Jeff Gutt:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM until 10AM PT THURSDAY, and you can vote up to 50 TIMES.
You can also use the X-Factor USA app (voting is counted alongside the online voting)
You can text 5 to 21523
You can call 1-855-THE XF 05 (lines open only for two hours)
You can also vote using SHAZAM
12) Alex and Sierra- Addicted To Love
Sierra starts the song acapella. They’re doing their own rendition of the song. This is cool. I’d buy this on Itunes. I can’t believe these two have turned into my favorite act in the competition. They’re the only ones that are defined clearly as current recording artists. I loved that. That was really cool. Paulina loves them, and calls them bohemian and vintage. Demi thinks their setup could have been better, and they looked uncomfortable. Simon says they don’t like to do the same thing every week. Simon thinks they lost the melody. Simon says it wasn’t as good as it should have been.
My Grade: A+
To vote for Alex and Sierra:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM until 10AM PT THURSDAY, and you can vote up to 50 TIMES.
You can also use the X-Factor USA app (voting is counted alongside the online voting)
You can text 1 to 21523
You can call 1-855-THE XF 01 (lines open only for two hours)
You can also vote using SHAZAM
Mario asks the judges who the highlight of the evening was. All of the girls hype their own acts, but Simon stays honest and says Josh Levi.
My personal favorite right now is Alex and Sierra, I don’t know why they got depimped. Josh is growing on me. I feel like he’s a different act since they brought him back. Khaya, Rachel, and Sweet Suspense have all grown on me. I think Ellona is one great performance away from being a contender. The rest of them… I’m not sure they can make the Top 5. Even Restless Road, which Simon hypes endlessly. He isn’t picking the right songs for them.
Alex and Sierra: A+
Khaya Cohen: A
Josh Levi: A
Rachel Potter: A-
Sweet Suspense: A-
Ellona Santiago: B+
Jeff Gutt: B+
Lillie McCloud: B-
Rion Paige: B-
Carlito Olivero: B-
Restless Road: B-
Tim Olstad: C+
Should Be Bottom 3: Tim Olstad, Restless Road, Carlito Olivero
Will Be Bottom 3: Tim Olstad, Carlito Olivero, Rion Paige
I loved liveblogging with you guys. Join me tomorrow night. Same time. Same bat channel.
