Let’s begin with the Overs with Matt Gresham pulling out of the competition. A spot in the final 3 of the Overs opened, because as I said in my last post: he WAS a lock. But now it is a bit more open. Honestly without Matt, this category seems pretty week.
Dami Im may have been Matt’s 7th place replacement in the category, but at this moment in time she seems like the most likely to actually make the top 3 for the category. Replace one lock for another I suppose. She technically killed Beyonce’s “If I Were A Boy.” The Minogues are concerned she needs to work on performance, which is true, but compared to the rest in her category Dami deserves the right to at least try to become better at that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H-R7TWDc20
Danii is very concerned about Michael Ross‘s inherent cabaret-ness. I understand why, but to me. Michael brings excitement and joy unlike anyone else in his category and for that he deserves a chance. He is no X Factor UK’s Johnny Robinson, but he is fun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgZyHTSwc2o
Tyler Hudson may be the weakest vocalist in the competition, but he still feels like he will make the final 12. Between a combination of a weak Overs category, a strong back story, and handsome smile. Does he deserve it? I would rather some other people, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Danii pick him and I can’t say she is that wrong either.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmRaS_GQmZg
I would much, much rather see Gemma Thorpe make it over Tyler. Her performances have never been eye-popping-amazing. But I like her as a person, she has an appropriately sad back-story, but doesn’t bring it up over and over. Just the one time when she was asked. So for her humility, I throw it Gemma for the third spot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVPDs5OfsT4
Cat Vas is crazy inconsistent. A bundle of nerves in every direction. Her tone is all sorts of beautiful, but I’ve seen too many ups-and-downs already and the show hasn’t even really begun. Is she going to be able to bring it every single week of the competition? I think not so much.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRk7ZnBU68g
Speaking of no chance of making the final 12: Barry Southgate. Danii hasn’t really been a fan of him since the beginning and honestly I understand why. He seems like he would be perfect for the show, but his attitude is a super turn-off for me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S11WodzQ3AQ
Overs Predictions:
It Should be: Dami, Michael, Gemma
It Will be: Dami, Michael, Tyler
I am still in love with the mixed group. So much spunk, so much potential. Great intuition picking Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ “Can’t Hold Us Down” In my mind the number 1 group to watch out for in terms having an actual shot of winning this she-bang.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3fwO1m5cyQ
Young, fresh, fun, exciting, and deserving of a place in the final 12. These are the things that I would to describe Straight Up. During their mentoring session with Natalie I wasn’t sure if they would be able to pull it together for when Guy Sebastian showed up, but they did. They got their energy focused and delivered a youthful version of “Cooler Than Me,” whilst also convincing me they deserve a spot in the final 12.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDiawwMTb3s
The Boy Band is the biggest surprise for me out of this category. After writing them off for taking Elem5nt’s spot in the final 24, I thought they would fall to the way side of JTR, but instead they gave a shockingly solid performance. It is no Reece Mastin level “I Kissed a Girl,” but it is pretty nice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gak6IJFsrBs
Ultimately only one of JTR or Boy Band should be in the final 12 and I think in this battle of the boys. Boy Band won out. JTR may be more in sync, but I think Boy Band have an elusive cool factor over JTR. That being said, their arrangement of “Rich Girl” definitely made it a JTR song. It felt like it was written for them. So if Natalie opts for JTR over Boy Band I wouldn’t be too surprised.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQAJIeFrZU8
Girl Group is no Little Mix or Gap5 or Belle Amie honestly. Their best performance of “Kiss You” wasn’t even worthy of Best out of Bootcamp status in my mind. If I had to pick a group to take out of the running it would probably be this one. Their “Thinkin Bout You” was all half baked and didn’t work at all. They need to figure out what their brand is if they want to succeed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvKXrAZ4hYM
I like Adira-Belle, but I don’t love Adira-Belle. Their vocals are nice, their harmonies are blended better than most, but I felt that the choice of TLC’s “Waterfalls” was a bit uninspired. They would be a solid opening group for a real act, or a fantastic featuring… on a hit song, but themselves I don’t know it just doesn’t resonate with me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAiMwYRNTlM
Group Predictions:
Should Make it Through: Mixed Group, Straight Up, Boy Band
Will Make it Through: Mixed Group, Straight Up, JTR
The only lock for top 12 out of the 24 guys, in my mind, is Georgie Bannard. I mean how can he not make it. Great intuition to pick “Your Song” as his choice. It’s the right type of song to show off the best of Georgie. I still don’t believe he is going to have a post-X-Factor career, but the next two months are going to be absolutely awesome for him in the final 12 and beyond.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzzCGSs98aE
Taylor Henderson‘s “Human Nature” was a lot to live up to and I think he did it with “Isn’t She Lovely.” I think he has a lot of star potential. I would love his in that growl-tone. And it is so clean when it’s not like that. A lovely contrast.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xc7jl382Rg
I’m a fan of Omar Dean and I thought his “Let’s Get It On” was solid. His vocals were solid, but I would love for his presence to be a bit more confident. If there is any reason he won’t make final 12, it is probably that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj21pHhwh58
Mitchell Thompson‘s “Rolling in the Deep” was solid, but it was no David Cook version. Like Adira-Belle before him, I like him, but I don’t love him and it is that disconnect that could keep him out of the final 12.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nkg7Ci3mZ0
Tee reminds me of slightly-not-as-good version of X Factor New Zealand’s Taiaroa Neho (Who legitimately deserved a spot in the top 13 over Fletcher Mills). I wanted to like it, but I felt nothing. At the risk of saying that I am missing something, I just don’t think he has what it takes to be in the final 12 and certainly not go all the way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTCptgzvgsQ
As much as I like Jai Waetford, I really don’t think he is ready for prime time. Maybe in a year. He needs to grow a little bit. Next year he could be a killer, wanting it so bad, that he practices all year to make it happen. And he is certainly is talented enough to make it happen. Next year he will still be ridiculously young, so it isn’t like the year is going to be wasting his youth away or anything like that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKKAl3U9lRQ
Boys predictions:
Should go through: Georgie, Taylor, Omar
Will go through: Georgie, Taylor, Omar
If ever a girl ever deserved to be the final 12 more than anyone this season it has to be Riv Ngwenya. She’s consistently killed it at every single stage. This being no exception. Her instincts are good, and I can’t wait to buy her winner’s single. (Did I just reveal my hand too early…)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weiG1x4vldY
Georgina Mastin is a legacy player in this game. The crazy thing is I think she truly deserves her spot in the final 12 regardless of the Reece contestant. The only person who I think has been more consistent than Georgina is Riv. So two spots in the final 3 taken, only one more girl to take. (Boy is Dami lucky she got bumped up to Overs, because she had no shot in this category.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtU_swlNtVo
I know Redfoo is not the biggest fan of Joelle, but I love Joelle. And it that personally connection that put her into my top 3, edging out Vendulka. “Read All About It” was a great song for her. I also felt a grittiness in her voice that I haven’t seen from her yet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRVda5WD3NM
Vendulka has come up just short again. A solid fourth place finish amongst this hex-battle between the girls. Sorry. Maybe Season 6 is your season. The song didn’t just have enough push to take me anywhere.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdDiNNsXphs
Jiordan Tolli is good, but not good enough. The “Bizarre Love Triangle” song choice was inspired and interesting, but there is a lack of genuineness that allows me to push her even into my top 4. Sorry Jiordan, the girls category is a rough one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi7Mg9mumdk
Ellie Lovegrove choice of “Diamonds” was solid, but I don’t see her as anything that special. She had a little bit of pitch problems, but ultimately not enough X Factor to compensate for them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_xFaRq_6U4
Girls predictions:
Should Go Through: Riv, Georgina, Joelle
Will Go Through: Riv, Georgina, and … hmm one of Jiordan, Vendulka or Joelle
Thanks for reading!
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