We are down to 7 acts and it’s disco week.
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The X Factor airs tonight at 8:00pm BST (9:00pm CEST, 3:00pm EDT, 12:00pm PDT) on ITV 1 (90min).
Sister Sledge are performing on the X Factor tonight!
We are down to 7 acts and it’s time for the most dreaded theme possible: DISCO. The disco ball is up and the show is starting with Sister Sledge performing “We are Family”. The judges are already sitting behind their desk.
Dermot opens the main vote. As of this week, there is no more lifeline vote, the bottom 2 are automatically in the sing off.
Saara Aalto – No More Tears (Enough is Enough) (Barbra Streisand / Donna Summer)
Saara and Sharon speak via Skype. Sharon points out Saara doesn’t have hometown support. So she sends Saara campaigning on various radio stations to connect with the British people. Seems forced.
Saara stands on a platform and sings like and angel at the start. Then the beat kicks in. She is styled like early Lady Gaga without the hair bow. Saara totally delivered.
Louis says he adores her and showers her with compliments. Nicole says this is Saara’s week and continues showering her with compliments. She points out Saara did the Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer version of the song. Simon says this was as close to perfection as possible. Sharon says Saara embraces the theme every week and tonight she was spectacular.
Sam Lavery – I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor)
She was in the bottom 3 last week for the first time. She got a visit from her friends.
The song was slowed down and turned into a pop/RnB song. This performance is no more youthful than Sam’s previous performances. But it does seem she has less problems with her singing this week.
Nicole says the song had the wrong tempo. Louis wanted the song to turn into a disco anthem, he says the song was too slow for him. Sharon says she wants to see Sam using the stage, she says she wants to see another side of her. Simon says this was the first time it seemed like she controlled the performance.
The viewers will get a chance to suggest new themes for the show.
Ryan Lawrie – Play That Funky Music (Wild Cherry)
He wasn’t in the bottom 3 last week and this gave him a lot of confidence. He played a gig for his fans this week with Nicole behind the bar.
He gets a band on stage. Ryan himself sings on a platform. Being limited to a platform shows his limited stage presence. I’m just not feeling the platform and the dancers around it.
Louis says this was Ryan’s best performance yet. Sharon says he really threw himself into the theme and that he sold the song well. Simon says he really liked the track, but hated the choreography and staging. Nicole defends him from the negative criticism.
After the break, Dermot is in the audience with families and friends on the contestants. Ryan’s grandmother is celebrating her birthday today.
5 After Midnight – Boogie Wonderland / September (Earth, Wind & Fire)
The lead singer got sick, so the other two visited the children in dance class that one of the band members used to teach. That same band member then meets his father and reveals he has 8 brothers and sisters.
The performance features some middle of the road dancing and singing. The boys are doing a great job with the songs and theme, but it just doesn’t have the same effect as some of their previous performances.
Nicole says she is watching them perform in awe. Sharon is also enthusiastic. Simon says the boys “popped” in the last two weeks. He says they are now showing their personality. Louis says they have the x Factor and need to get to the final. The chances for that are certainly good.
Matt Terry – Best of My Love (The Emotions)
Matt says he is here thanks to his parents. Well, thanks for pointing out the obvious. We all are. He visits his parents at work and the restaurant where he used to work as a waiter.
He starts the performance backstage and then comes on stage. He is in fine vocal form.
Louis says this was a difficult song, but did a great job. He says Matt has great work ethic. Sharon says she was worried how he is going to follow 5am, but he did a great job. Simon says the first half of the track didn’t work, but the second was fantastic. The audience boos him. Nicole is supportive.
We get to see a picture of Simon and Sinitta from the 70’s.
Emily Middlemas – Wishing on a Star (Rose Royce)
She went home this week and friend took her rollerskating. Emily says she used to rollerskate as a child and we get to see a video clip. Simon thinks Emily has a real shot at winning the show.
Emily lends her whispery vocals to the tracks. During the pre-chorus and the chorus it seems like someone else is singing. The performance was kinds boring.
Louis says he loved her voice and the song, but thinks this performance wasn’t good enough. Sharon says the performance was a Debbie Downer. She wants to see more personality and moving on stage. Nicole agrees and blames Simon for production that swallowed Emily. Simon disagrees. Louis says Simon is playing it safe every week. Simon still thinks Emily is on the right track since “Creep”. Emily agrees with Louis, Sharon and Nicole and says she wants to do something more upbeat. Emily kinds made Simon look stupid by agreeing with the other three judges.
Honey G – Stayin’ Alive (Bee Gees)
Sharon says Honey G is singing a ballad. Honey G says she didn’t hear any boos last week when she got through because she was too busy falling on her face. She met Robbie Williams again. Honey G also had a radio tour this week.
Well, Honey G is not singing a ballad, she is rapping to disco beats.
Louis says she gets better every week. Nicole says she is getting scared of Honey G because she gets better every week. Simon says she is a genious and gives 100% no matter what the theme is. Sharon says she works her butt off every week.
Olly Murs and Nathan Sykes are performing on the show tomorrow night.
