Join me tonight for the musical event of the year. Last night was completely a waste of time, they threw out the votes, and now 13 singers will be forced to sing entirely within an hour. Mario Lopez will probably die of a heart attack by the end out of sheer stress. One thing is for sure, since it is already rare that all four judges comment, we might not even hear Paulina speak tonight.
I hear that next Wednesday, they are throwing out the votes again, and contestants will advance based on whose fanbases can frantically tap the A button on their X-Box controller the longest.
Mario says the pressure has never been greater. On him. I assume that’s what he means.
1) Josh Levi- Stay by Rihanna
Talk about redemption. I thought he was good last night, but this is really good. He proves that he’s current, and radio ready. He started the song in key too. Simon says it was a winning performance. Paulina says he nailed it. I can’t believe we’re getting judges comments.
My Grade: A-
To vote for Josh:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM. 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 apparently vote using Shazam.
2) Rachel Potter- Anyway
She slows it down tonight. I’m not sure of the name of the song, so I guessed. It’s a good vocal. Subdued. We’re going to get a lot of ballads tonight, since the backup dancers didn’t have time to rehearse. Rachel sang her face off. Tonight is shaping up to be a lot better than last week. Simon didn’t like it last night, but thought tonight was fantastic. He thought it was really good. Kelly is so proud.
My Grade: B+
To vote for Rachel:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM. 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 apparently vote using Shazam.
3) Carlos Guevera- Cannonball
Well, this song fits him better than last night. I think he’s pitchy still, and his falsetto is weak. He has all the stage presence of Vino Alan, with half the vocal ability. Are the lyrics really “stones taught me to fly?” or can I not understand what he’s saying? Better than last night, but also the weakest performance of the night. Paulina thought it was the most amazing performance. No comment from Simon.
My Grade: C
To vote for Carlos:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM. 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 3 to 21523
You can call 1-855-THE XF 03 (lines open only for two hours)
You can also apparently vote using Shazam.
4) Restless Road- Don’t You Wanna Stay
After seeing the photo from last night where these guys were on the pickup together, this song takes on a new meaning. I don’t think these guys are particularly good soloists. The lead guy is more on pitch. The one on the left is the weakest. Simon thought something went wrong with the track. Simon thought they looked nervous, Demi agrees. I think they are on par with last night.
My Grade: C+
To vote for Restless Road:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM. 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 apparently vote using Shazam.
We have time for FILLER. The girls meet with a cover girl make up artist.
5) Ellona Santiago- Titanium
The song starts a little low for her. It takes a long time to get into her range. She held that one note out forever without a breath. That was kinda awesome. She’s super aggressive here tonight. I hope she doesn’t attack every song like she’s in a MMA competition. The first third of the song was crap, the second two thirds was really good. I’m a little torn. Demi says she proved herself. Simon says it was her best performance ever.
My Grade: B
To vote for Ellona Santiago:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM 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 apparently vote using Shazam.
6) Jeff Gutt- In The Air Tonight
Jeff knows who he is as a rocker, and it’s very telling that he chose such an old rock song. He knows he doesn’t fit in the current rock scene, and he fits in best doing 80’s rock (and really early 90’s). That being said, it’s almost a flawless vocal. But is it right for the X-Factor? On a night of free song choice, where contestants are mostly choosing super current material, you go old school? I can’t help but still be disappointed. Demi and Simon thought the phrasing was odd.
My Grade: B (Good vocal, disappointed with the song choice).
To vote for Jeff Gutt:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM, 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 apparently vote using Shazam.
7) Alex and Sierra- Give Me Love
Alex isn’t playing guitar. This should be interesting. Interesting song choice. I still think they should do Falling Slowly. I think they’re killing this. This might be my favorite performance of the night. I wasn’t a big fan of Alex and Sierra when they auditioned, but they are growing on me. Simon loved it.
My Grade: A
To vote for Alex and Sierra:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM, 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 apparently vote using Shazam.
8) Khaya Cohen- I don’t know the name of the song
The song is too low for her in the beginning. For Khaya fans, I would argue she’s less affected tonight than last night (which means she’s faking that sound for you). This is a much more clean vocal. She doesn’t sound like Amy Winehouse here. So that cool thing you like about Khaya? She’s faking that sound to get you to love her. In my book, faking your sound isn’t cool. That being said, she’s singing her face off here. She just no longer sounds the same way she did last night. So, you can vote for Khaya, but who knows what she’ll sound like next week. Demi calls her a little Aretha (who also sounds nothing like Amy Winehouse).
My Grade: C+ (I’m frustrated that she’s faking her sound, but she did sing it well, even if it started a bit low for her. I’m torn on this grade, but for right now, I don’t like that her sound changes. Carlos sounds the same every week.)
To vote for Khaya:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM,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 apparently vote using Shazam.
9) Carlito Olivero- If You’re Not The One
A little old fashioned for Carlito. I wish he had done something a little more current. He falls flat in his falsetto. He was better last night. The girls in the audience are screaming so loudly though. It’s insane. Carlito actually skips lyrics the second time he’s about to go into falsetto so that he can hit the note the second time. Paulina says he’s sick, and nailed it. I don’t think he’s sick. Paulina is lying.
My Grade: C-
To vote for Carlito:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM, 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 apparently vote using Shazam.
10) Lillie McCloud- Who Wants To Live Forever
An old song. I think she could have slayed Skyfall. What a bizarre vocal. Really nasally. This is her worst vocal to date. It’s so slow. So old. SO NASALLY. What happened? She’s staring into the TV like she’s going to come through it. It’s a little creepy. As the song picks up at the end, the vocal is a little better, but a little desperate. It’s like she knows the first part wasn’t good, so she oversings the end. I thought she was almost perfect last night, and tonight… she disappointed me. Kelly loved it though.
My Grade: C
To vote for Lillie:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM, 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 apparently vote using Shazam.
11) Sweet Suspense- That Should Be Me
I wish they said what these songs were. I’m gonna guess That Should Be Me, cause it is repeated a thousand times. Honestly? This group seems to be getting better. This is a good song choice for them. Current. They sound good. There’s some harmony. These three girls are putting up a nice fight for the finale. I like it. Simon thought it was a difficult song to sing. He didn’t seem happy with that performance. It must have sounded different live.
My Grade: A-
To vote for Sweet Suspense:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM, 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)
12) Rion Paige- Born This Way
Interesting song choice. There’s something cool about this song choice, actually. I really haven’t liked anything Rion has done this entire competition, but I like this. Good vocal. A little shaky in parts, because she really is not the best vocalist in the competition. I think this is her best performance to date. Demi thought it was incredible. Simon thinks Rion should choose her own songs from now on.
My Grade: B
To vote for Rion Paige:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM, 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 apparently vote using Shazam.
13) Tim Olstad- I Believe I Can Fly
Oh lord. Really dude? I don’t even care if your vocal is good or not. You chose THIS. You probably had a thousand songs to choose from, and you’re trying to seem fun, so you choose I Believe I Can Fly? Good vocal. He’s one of the best vocalists in the competition, but he’s more right for America’s Got Talent or The Voice. He’s not a pop star. Simon makes fun of Tim’s WOOO.
My Grade: C- (Horrific song choice, boring, but good vocal)
To vote for Tim Olstad:
You can vote online at THEXFACTORUSA.COM, 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 apparently vote using Shazam.
Join me next week for more X-Factor. Who is going home? Sound off in the comments below!
