The X-Factor 3- Top 16 Perform- Live Discussion and Blog

Join me here tonight. I know it’s Tuesday, and it might feel weird, but I promise everything will be OK.

Four people, one from each category, will go home tonight. Demi has blue hair now.

First up, Demi and THE GIRLS:

We get to see which girls America likes as the 5th judge. Rion is clearly behind, with only 15%, yet Mario claims that Khaya is behind. Read off a script much?

1) Ellona Santiago- Til The World Ends by Britney Spears
What I love about this is how Ellona comes out an d attacks it like a pop star. She sounds good while doing some pretty complicated choreography. She looks like what X-Factor claims to be looking for. She totally needed this performance. I think she sang that better than Britney. Kelly says she’s one to watch. Simon reminds us that he pushed for her, and says he was right. He thinks she can sell records. Demi thinks she kicked butt.

2) Danie Geimer- Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus
I think the track is louder than her, which is a tech problem not her. I think Dani is trying to sing her face off, but she’s a little under pitch in parts. I hate the ear pieces, because you can’t really hear what’s going on. Kelly liked the energy, but she didn’t surpass the bar she set last week. Simon says the problem is how do they make her not boring. Simon isn’t sure she has the X-Factor. Demi says her performance lacked energy, but had incredible vocals.

Rion is polling really low. Will Demi see the “fifth judge” numbers and send her home? Ultimately, these contestants need America’s vote to win. If people aren’t digging Rion, why force her into the Top 12?

3) Rion Paige- Skyscraper by Demi Lovato
She’s so passionate guys.If I’m being honest, I didn’t love this. I think this was probably a little vocally better than Danie, but Rion took the easy way out a lot of the time, whereas Danie was singing her face off. There was no key change, and Rion stayed out of her head voice a lot. Simon says it was a brilliant decision to do that song. He hopes she stays in the competition. Demi was proud of her.

It’s not looking great for Danie (who I ironically put in 1st). My only hope is that Khaya messes up Mercy.

4) Khaya Cohen- Mercy by Duffy
Khaya could have used some back up dancers for this. Demi doesn’t look super happy. If I’m being honest, I think Khaya has done enough to send Danie home. This is a really good vocal. Plus, she was winning the Fifth Judge poll a few minutes ago, without even having sung. Kelly says she doesn’t want to see Khaya move, because she looks awkward. Simon thinks Khaya has the most commercial voice, but worries that people won’t like her. Simon keeps talking about her likeability. Demi agrees with Simon and Kelly. Demi thinks the performance was uncomfortable, but loved the vocals. The fact is, Khaya is polling the highest on their social media thing, which means America wants to vote for her.

I would send home Rion. Demi will send home either Khaya or Danie. Gun to my head, I would say Khaya, because Demi just really did not seem happy with that performance.

GIRLS RESULTS:
1st Girl Safe: Ellona Santiago
2nd Girl Safe: Rion Paige
Final Girl Safe: Khaya Cohen
Going Home: Danie Geimer

Paulina and THE BOYS:
Mario says “this is how the boys stand with you right now”, but no poll pops up. lol.

1) Josh Levi- Only Girl In the World by Rihanna
Paulina can’t pronounce his last name. Vocally, it’s not perfect. But they threw the production values into him, and he can handle choreography. Like Ellona, Josh is making sure you know he’s a contender. Demi says that he has a lot of potential, but didn’t love the song choice. Simon agrees with Demi, and thinks he needs work on his vocals. He gives it a 6/10.

We see the poll after Josh performs. Carlos is leading, with Carlito in 2nd. Josh and Tim are behind.

2) Carlos Guevera- Don’t You Worry Child
His phrasing is word. I can’t understand his words. The crowd is cheering him on during his singing. He seems to be super popular. Other than him being a little hard to understand, it’s a much better vocal than Josh. I don’t think he’s a pop star, but he is slaying it in the poll. Kelly says she can tell that he’s been practicing. Kelly says he’s pitchy. Simon wasn’t expecting him to be that good. Demi says he’s likable, and loves his tone. She claims she couldn’t hear him very well. Mario says he’s the leading boy online.

3) Carlito Olivero- Maria Maria
Paulina calls him a latin lover. This song is a little dated. Couldn’t he have done something more current? Carlito does some dancing. I think the song actually fits his voice really well. His vocals are really solid. He’s the best combination of performance/voice tonight for the boys. Demi says she’s looking at something that has a spot in the market. Simon had reservations, but he said he would sign Carlito after that performance. Paulina says that’s what music is about.

4) Tim Olstad- Always
Paulina seems a bit awkward introducing Tim. Tim is nailing this vocal. This is kind of incredible. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think Josh is going home. He nailed the popstar thing, but the other three boys outsang him. Kelly loves his spirit. Simon says he has a good voice, but compares him to a funeral director. He’s not excited. Demi says the energy went down a lot.

BOYS RESULTS:
My prediction: the judges gave Paulina the ammo to send Tim home. Unfortunately.

1st Boy Safe: Carlito Olivera
2nd Boy Safe: Carlos Guevera
Final Boy Safe: Tim Olstad
Going Home: Josh Levi

Paulina kept Tim. Josh Levi is going home. He looks confused and devastated.

Wow. 200 comments in the first hour. That’s amazing! Thanks for joining me guys!

KELLY and the OVER 25’s
I can’t wait to see this poll. I bet Rachel is losing, hard. Kelly makes them sing and job on a treadmill and work out. Rachel Potter is leading? That’s insane.

1) Lillie McCloud- When A Man Loves A Woman
But that HAIR though. Lillie is a pro. We know that. This vocal shows that she’s a pro. It’s like we stopped in the middle of the show, and invited an already famous recording artist on the show to perform. She’s just in a different league vocally, and her stage presence… even just standing behind a mic… is incredible. Paulina says it was amazing and calls her a goddess. Simon says she is one heck of a singer. Simon says she needs to lose the theatrics, because it comes across as Broadway. Kelly says she is absolutely incredible, and says she’s the best vocalist here. Mario says she’s the hottest grandmother ever.

2) Jeff Gutt- Try by Pink
There’s something really 90’s about Jeff Gutt’s style of rock. I don’t think he works as a solo artist. He’s a really incredible vocalist though, and he knows how to rock a stage. Demi thinks he brings something to the competition, and she loves his voice. Simon thinks it was brilliant. Jeff brings up his kid.

3) Rachel Potter- I Hope You Dance
Really girl? You thought you’d make a comeback with this sappy, oversung ballad? I saw this on the spoiler list, and I wondered who was stuck with this. That being said, she’s singing the crap out of it. Her vocals are a lot better this time around. She’s also doing really well in the poll. Paulina says it was brilliant. Simon thinks the song was perfect for her, and says she was better than Lillie.

4) James Kenney- Red by Taylor Swift
I love his voice. I think all four contestants actually did really well tonight. I don’t know who Kelly is going to send him. I think James is more radio ready than Jeff. I realize the judges loved Jeff, but James might actually sell some records on the radio. He’s losing the poll though. Demi has no idea what Kelly is going to do because she thought it was great. Simon thought it was a great performance, but he thinks Jeff was better. Paulina thinks it was amazing. Kelly doesn’t know what she’s going to do. I think she should get to keep all of them, ala Diamond White style.

Results!
Mario says it is neck and neck, but Rachel and Jeff are clearly beating Lillie and Jeff.

1st Singer Safe: Rachel Potter
2nd Singer Safe: Jeff Gutt
Final Singer Safe: Lillie McCloud
Going Home: James Kenney

Wildcard James please.

SIMON and the GROUPS!
Roxxy Montana has 4% in the early poll. LOL.

1) Roxxy Montana- Royals by Lorde
This is probably their best vocal to date. The middle girl can really sing. The other two will always just be her backup singers. I keep seeing Sweet Suspense’s numbers, and they perplex me. They weren’t THAT great last week. Kelly is excited for them. Paulina thinks they’re coming out of their shell. Simon says it took a long time to get here, and talks about the middle girl being the best singer again.

2) Sweet Suspense- I Don’t Care by Icona Pop
Eeew. That beginning wasn’t great. They don’t even bother with harmony. They’re all just singing in unison. The number looked cool, but they sang in unison, and the beginning wasn’t great. Demi thinks they are stars though. Simon thinks it was magic.

3) Alex and Sierra- Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke
They’re a cool duo. This is an interesting cover of the song. I like that they arrange songs to fit them, rather than force themselves into the song. They have great chemistry too. The audience seemed to love it. Paulina says there’s a market for them, and compares them to Sonny and Cher. Kelly thinks it should have been sexier. Simon liked it.

4) Restless Road- Roar by Katy Perry
Really? This song? For a country group? These boys are not strong soloists. The backing track is so loud, I can barely hear them. Simon gives them a standing O. I think the performance was overpraised. I’d still keep them over Sweet Suspense. Kelly says she’ll buy every Restless Road record, and will go to the concerts. Simon says it was a tricky song choice, but it worked.

Looks like we ran over time. I hope Roxxy Montana stays, because they actually sang harmonies. I think Simon might cut Alex and Sierra.

RESULTS:
1st Group Safe: Restless Road (Simon says he thinks they can win)
2nd Group Safe: Alex and Sierra
3rd Group Safe: Sweet Suspense
Going Home: Roxxy Montana