Pbmom's Blog

After a deadlock between the judges regarding which contestant should go home, CeCe Frey and Jason Brock faced the popular vote. Who had the lowest number of votes? Shockingly Jason. Then XFactor did something that no other singing show has done: They gave us the list of how the contestants placed based on their votes. From first place to 12th place: Tate Stevens, Carly Rose Sonenclar, Vino Alan, Diamond White, Fifth Harmony, Emblem3, Jennel Garcia, Paige Thomas, Lyric 145, Beatrice Miller, Arin Ray, and CeCe Frey. Tonight’s theme is “songs from divas.”

Demi Lovato’s Young Adults

Contestant: Paige Thomas
Twitter @PaigeAva
Song: “Last Dance” by Donna Summer

My thoughts: It was good but I still hear an issue with enunciation. For example, when she sang, “Last dance”, it sounded like, “last dam” or “last dan”. It’s like she doesn’t complete her consonants. She does not talk this way, so I don’t know why it seems to show up in her singing. To get a second opinion to make sure I was not having a hearing issue, I asked my husband to listen and he heard it, too.

The judges: L.A. Reid thought it was her best yet. Britney said it was like a disco ball exploding on stage. Simon thought it was her best so far but the choreography was distracting. Demi said she nailed it.

Paige Thomas

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Contestant: Jennel Garcia
Twitter: @JennelGarcia
Song: “Proud Mary” by Ike and Tina Turner

My thoughts: MUCH BETTER than last week. I’d like to see her pick a rock song from her generation perhaps next time. She’s back in the race though.

The judges: LA Reid said it smoked. Britney said Tina would be proud. Simon said it was like she was a different person and he was glad she took his advice. Demi was proud.

Jennel Garcia

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Contestant: CeCe Frey (pronounced “fry” like “French fry” and not “fray”)
Twitter: @CeCeMissXToTheO
Song: “All By Myself” by Eric Carmen (later by Celine Dion)

My thoughts: I thought her pitch problems were because she was trying to do intense choreography as well. This time she was on stage, all by herself. Before I say the bad news, CeCe seems like a different person in this light versus the auditions when she was rubbing me the wrong way. I saw the clip how she listened to Tate talk about his family. She has let us see the vulnerable side of her. I like this side of CeCe. But I get back to the vocals. I’m thinking her audition song was something she practiced a million times. The song choice for the battle between her and Paige was again her choice because we remember how upset Paige was. This song was pitchy and squealy. My husband walked in and said, “Who’s drowning the cat?” not having any reference at all to the Emblem3 saving kittens story. It was, however, better than the past 2 weeks, but still not good enough. However, I think Arin Ray was worse.

The judges: LA Reid said she did really well and it was an improvement. Britney said she did not get it. Simon said he liked her but it was very cabaret. Demi really didn’t say anything.

CeCe Frey

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Britney Spears’ Teens

Contestant: Arin Ray
Twitter: @ArinRaySings
Song: “Crazy For You” by Madonna

My thoughts: It was his worst song he has ever done. It was pitchy all over the place. I think instead of trying to flirt with Normani, he should have practiced more.

The judges: L.A. Reid did not get a 5-million-dollar performance. Demi agreed with LA. Simon said it looked like he hated the song as well. It was like asking a cat to eat a tiger. Boring. He could be in trouble. Britney told him he nailed it.

Arin Ray

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Contestant: Diamond White
Twitter: @DiamondKWhite
Song: “Halo” by Beyonce

My thoughts: It was much better than last week. However, her lower-range vocals are really rough.

The judges: LA Reid said she filled the shoes. Demi said she was giving the rest of the competition a run for the money. Simon advised her not to walk and sing at the same time (she did look like her ankles were about to turn in and she was going to fall), but she was a future star.

Diamond White

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Contestant: Beatrice Miller
Twitter: @BeatriceMiller
Song: “Time After Time” by Cindy Lauper

My thoughts: The song was dragging, but she had a better emotional connection to the song. It was a little pitchy. I was bothered a great deal by what she said: “My family will lose hope if she does not win?” That is way too much pressure for a 13 year old. If this is her own perception, then perhaps she needs some counseling. If this really is her family pressuring her, then shame on them.

The judges: LA Reid said it was not the greatest song choice. She did not get to chance to peak. It was the song-choice fault and not hers. Demi liked the song choice that showcased a different side to her. Simon said it was better than last week, but the song choice was not good. Britney told Simon that she has more talent in her pinkie than all of his groups. Britney said Beatrice was beautiful and special.

Beatrice Miller

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Contestant: Carly Rose Sonenclar
Twitter: @CarlyRoseMusic
Song: “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion

My thoughts: I was rolling my eyes when I heard the song choice–one of the most overdone songs ever. It was my favorite vocal of the night. I got goosebumps. Fabulous job.

The judges: LA Reid thought they were looking at the winner. Demi said she didn’t believe it was her voice. Simon said her control on that song was incredible. Britney said she got chills. It was spectacular.

Carly Rose Sonenclar

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L.A. Reid’s Over 25’s

Contestant: Vino Alan
Twitter: @VinoAlan
Song: “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green (later sung by Tina Turner)

My thoughts: It was second favorite vocal of the night. It was fabulous.

The judges: Britney said he was so soulful. Demi said he was soulful and liked this better than last week, although she was a little bored. Simon said that his voice was designed for a “moment.” It was not as good as last week. LA Reid said he has a classic voice and the song was a great platform.

Vino Alan

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Contestant: Tate Stevens
Twitter: @TateStevensCtry
Song: “From This Moment On” by Shania Twain

My thoughts: I thought this was not as good as last week. It was pitchy. The background singers were outsinging him in volume.

The judges: Britney said it was so heartfelt. Demi said it was soooo good. Simon said it was better than last week. LA Reid said that Simon can write that check.

Tate Stevens

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Simon Cowell’s Groups

Contestant: Lyric145
Twitter: @Lyric145
Song: Mashup “E.T.” by Katy Perry and “We Will Rock You” by Queen

My thoughts: This group is fabulous. They always do original things. Most of the other songs are just covers. I loved it.

The judges: LA Reid asked who was the diva–Queen? (Simon responded that Freddie Mercury was a diva). LA Reid told the group it was better than last week, but he felt they have lost their way. Britney said they were a hip-hop group and should be doing hip-hop tracks. Demi didn’t understand the “alien” side of the song. Simon said that they only had a few hours to put it together. He felt they brought an energy that this show needs (AND I AGREE).

Lyric145

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Contestant: Formerly LYLAS, then 1432, which meant “I Love You Too” , and now “Fifth Harmony”
Twitter:
Song: “Hero” by Mariah Carey

My thoughts: They did better with it towards the middle and end than the beginning. I really expected it to blow since there are few who can do justice to a Mariah Carey song.

The judges: LA Reid said it was a tough song. They struggled a bit but it turned into a great song. Britney said she was extremely impressed. Demi said they did an incredible job. Simon said it was absolutely brilliant and they love puppies.

Fifth Harmony

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Contestant: Emblem3
Twitter: @EmblemThree
Song: “No One” by Alicia Keys

My thoughts: It was a little pitchy this week, but I still liked it. I still look at Drew and see Spicoli in “Fast Times At Ridgemont High” only with shorter hair.

The judges: LA Reid said he could not be happier. Britney said they were complete heartthrobs. Demi said they had great energy and were better than last week. Simon said this time we are going to see you right at the top and mentioned something about them saving kittens from drowning. Is that really true?

Emblem3

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My picks for going home

The bottom two will be CeCe Frey and Arin Ray. I think Arin Ray’s vocal was worse, but it depends how many girls are in the voting block.

Who are your picks to leave tonight?