Join me here at 8 as we watch Part 1 of Alex and Sierra steamrolling the competition.
That was a cool opening. I think all three acts should have to fly in/drive in every week.
The final 3 sing We Will Rock You. Because this is a 2 hour show, and they have tons of time to kill. I think it was probably a blessing for Alex that he was cut from Hollywood Week last year, so he was available to do this show. Cause he is killing it with Sierra.
We see that there are hometown parties being thrown. Simon thinks it’ll be a close final. Simon says “winning is the most important thing”. Tell that to Melanie Amaro and Tate Stevens. ROFL. (sorry, not sorry)
1) Carlito Olivero- Impossible
Carlito is from Chicago? Why did I think he was from LA. Paulina’s house is very Christmasy. I think Carlito sang to the same girl each time. I just realized that. It was always a shocked redhead. Can we investigate this? I don’t think he picked random girls. He picked a plant. He starts out in Spanish, so I know the racist haters in the comments will be starting flame wars. #murica. That’s right. I called you guys out, in advance. Back to Carlito, this isn’t his greatest vocal, but he is very current and radio friendly. I hope he gets a record deal out of this, with an actual label that has an idea of how to promote him. We may never hear from him again, but he should definitely go hit the latin markets up. Kelly adores him. Demi believes he can win. Simon learned that he has to respect Carlito, for bouncing back from the bottom. He does say Carlito isn’t the best singer, but he makes songs his own. Some minor pitch issues, but I liked it. We see one of Carlito’s friends shouting into a mic. I can’t really understand him, the mic is too close to him mouth. Everyone is screaming. Madness.
My Grade: B+
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.
2) Alex and Sierra-Give Me Love
They’ve always been frontrunners. Simon claims he wanted the groups because of them. I think Simon and Alex and Sierra shot their package in Paulina’s Christmasy living room. This is incredible. I want to buy their album. Please? Alex sounds more confident and aggressive when he has his guitar. They have a standing O from the judges before the song is even over. Kelly sat down though, but she was standing earlier. Kelly says any label would take them right now. Demi listens to them on her ipod. Paulina says they bring something different every time. Simon says it was an honor working with them. He thinks they found a star. A restaurant in Daytona Beach named a dish after her. Her dance teacher introduces an irish jig just for Sierra.
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!
3) Jeff Gutt- Dream On
Kelly says he’s doing it for America, but his whole story is that he’s doing this for his son. Thanks for ruining his story, Kelly. Jeff starts crying when he thanks Kelly. He got her a gift. It’s a picture of Jeff and Kelly. Kelly’s crying. I hope Kelly survives into Season 4. She’s become my favorite judge. Jeff is going to light up the Adult Contemporary charts. lol. I mean no disrespect, I just don’t think that as a solo act, he is going to be on Top 40 radio. Daughtry is having problems with that right now, and is basically being relegated to AC radio. This is way better than Danny Gokey’s version. Killer vocal, really. One of my favorite Jeff performances ever. Jeff really wants to win. Demi had a hard time hearing him, and blames the tech team for that. Paulina wants a band behind him. Simon thinks a label will sign him. Kelly calls him amazing. Jeff’s hometown consists of a big guy cranking his arm like Arsenio Hall in the bottom right corner. Hilarious drunk people. Some lady grabs the mic. Even rockers in their 30’s aren’t safe from the FRAUEN!
My Grade: A
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!
Paulina performs a song. I’ve never heard her music before, so this is my introduction into her world. That mask is silly. She’s heavily autotuned. I wish autotune had never been invented. It is so overused now.
4) Carlito and Prince Royce- Stand By Me
I have no idea who this is either. Obviously a big latin artist. It’s a decent duet, but its not going to win Carlito the competition. Right now, he’s struggling to keep up with the other two acts. Demi says Carlito has what it takes. Simon calls Prince Royce one of the breakout artists of 2014. Paulina says he’s been showing the potential.
My Grade: B
5) Alex and Sierra and Leona Lewis- Bleeding Love
They called her the most successful X-Factor winner ever? Umm… really? I wonder if Leona hates the slowed down version she’s having to sing. This is too slow. It feels like its dragging. I’ve heard slowed down versions before, but this is TOO slow. This has become my least favorite performance of theirs. It’s SOOOOOOOOOOOOO SLOW. I feel like I could go make a Taco Bell run and come back and the song would only be half over. Demi says it wasn’t their best. It was probably their worst, actually. Paulina and Kelly liked it.
My Grade: C- (yeah, I gave a low score to Alex and Sierra).
6) Jeff Gutt and John Resnick- Iris
This is a cool duet. I loved it. Demi is starstruck. Jeff is having a great night. So far, the most consistent performer tonight. Paulina says rock and roll never ages. Simon calls it the perfect collaboration, and says that’s one of his favorite songs of all time.
My Grade: A (another home run for Jeff)
Cover Girl Filler.
7) Carlito Olivero- Maria Maria
He dances a bit as he heads out onto the stage. I don’t know what son this is going to be, but that opening is intense. Easily his best performance of the night. He’s a real star here. The judges loved it. Simon wishes him the best of luck. Paulina thinks he has the passion. Carlito’s friends in Chicago show their support. He is so sweaty. He worked HARD during that performance.
My Grade: A
8) Alex and Sierra- Say Something
This is a smart reprise. It was beautiful the first time. It is beautiful the second time. If you had told me that the finale was going to actually be great this season a few weeks ago, I would have thought you were insane. This, however, is a great finale. Kelly said it was better than the first time. Kelly tells Sierra it’s OK to cry. Demi says they always blow her away. Paulina says they are the perfect artists. Simon says they are exactly what the show needs. The mayor of Daytona declares it Alex and Sierra week in Daytona Beach. Alex thanks Sierra, who starts crying. Alex thanks everyone on behalf of the duo, because Sierra is crying.
My Grade: A
The FOX show Rake is being promoted so much, I feel like we need to start live blogging it.
9) Jeff Gutt- Creep
Smart move to bring back your audition song. I was kinda hoping for Amazing Grace again. There’s something about Jeff’s rocking back and forth that’s a bit distracting, but I’m just being picky. It’s still a great vocal. Jeff hit a grand slam tonight with all three songs. He’s giving Alex and Sierra a fight. I think they’ll still win, but it might be a photo finish. It’s weird for him to end on the lyric “I don’t belong here”. Cause he so does. Standing ovation from the judges. Demi says it was amazing. Demi thinks he has what it takes. Paulina starts a Gutt cheer. She enjoyed it. Simon says he sang it beautifully. Simon says he’s a great contender. Kelly says watching him grow has been her hearts joy. We are back in Detroit. Someone buried the frauen lady. The Mayor gives him the key to the city. A girl tries to get in front of the camera, and some body guard moves her from the shot. LOL. Another girl. Shit is CRAZY in Detroit. SO MANY FRAU. Jeff thanks them all, and cries while doing it.
My Grade: A
What a great finale. Can’t wait to see tomorrow night’s show. I miss Josh Levi, but I don’t know who I’d trade out of the finale for him. Join me tomorrow night!
