Pbmom's Blog

Last week was the perfect reason why this contest should not allow 13-year-old children. The pressure is too much. Even a confident Rachel Crowe from last year broke down into hysteria when she was no longer in the competition. CeCe Frey and Beatrice Miller had to sing for their lives, neither doing very well at all. Simon had the unfortunate position of deciding Beatrice needed to go home on Thanksgiving Day. America was not surprised Arin Ray was in the bottom, but he sure did. From first place to 8th place: Carly Rose Sonenclar, Tate Stevens, Vino Alan, Emblem3, Diamond White, Paige Thomas (who looked very surprised she was NOT going home), Fifth Harmony and CeCe Frey.

Demi Lovato’s Young Adults

Contestant: Paige Thomas
Twitter @PaigeAva
Song: “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley

My thoughts: I loved her look. I loved the song. The dancing was odd. First it was just herself on stage dancing and then at the end other dancers joined in. It felt disjointed. This was her best performance since the live shows began. And I’m happy to say I understand every single word she sang.

The judges: L.A. Reid thought it was her best performance yet. Britney said the risk worked. Simon said for the first time she looked and acted like a legitimate pop star. Demi was so proud of her.

Paige Thomas

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Contestant: CeCe Frey (pronounced “fry” like “French fry” and not “fray”)
Twitter: @CeCeMissXToTheO
Song: “Lady Marmalade” by Patti LaBelle

My thoughts: This was CeCe’s best performance since the live shows began. I think it is too late though. I suspect she will be in the bottom 3.

The judges: LA Reid said he enjoyed the circus. Britney said she stepped it up a notch; really good. Simon said it was too much and compared her performance to too much chocolate cake. He said she should pack her suitcase. Demi was so proud.

CeCe Frey

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Britney Spears’ Teens

Contestant: Diamond White
Twitter: @DiamondKWhite
Song: “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston

My thoughts: I am glad she did something upbeat; however, it was terrible vocally. Most of the song was off pitch. However, she is adorable and that definitely wins her points.

The judges: LA Reid said she had never had a moment like that. Demi was blown away. Simon said she was fearless and incredible. He believed the lyric. Britney said it was beautiful.

Diamond White

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Contestant: Carly Rose Sonenclar
Twitter: @CarlyRoseMusic
Song: “Rollling in the Deep” by Adele

My thoughts: It was great. I was expecting something worse because very rarely can someone sing Adele, or in the case of Amanda Brown on The Voice, make it their own. For Carly, this was average. Her average is someone else’s awesome. No goosebumps for me this week.

The judges: LA Reid said she was insanely talented and loveable, but it was not her best performance. However, her second best is better than everyone else’s best. Demi felt proud of her even though she is not mentoring her. Simon said the first half was good, the second half was sensational. Britney said she took it to the next level. (PLEASE NOTE THAT PHRASE RANKS UP THERE FOR ME AS “HOW DO YOU FEEL?” WHEN SOMEONE IS GOING HOME). Stop it.

Carly Rose Sonenclar

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L.A. Reid’s Over 25’s

Contestant: Vino Alan
Twitter: @VinoAlan
Song: “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” by Righteous Brothers

My thoughts: He lost that loving feeling with this song. It was switched by LA Reid with only 1 day. It was a weird arrangement. Vino had a rough start and all the notes in the lower register were rough. I did not excite me at all. Usually I like Vino’s stuff. LA Reid made a bad decision.

The judges: Britney said it is the same thing from him each week–something needed to be freshened up. Demi agreed with Britney; she was not totally entertained. Simon that was not a good song choice and was actually uncomfortable. LA Reid said there were moments where there were timing issues.

Vino Alan

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Contestant: Tate Stevens
Twitter: @TateStevensCtry
Song: “Somebody Like You” by Keith Urban

My thoughts: Much better this week. I am not familiar with this song and I hate country music, but this was upbeat and entertaining. There were a few off-key notes, especially in the higher range.

The judges: Britney said he was brilliant. Demi wants to marry a guy like him (a man who loves his wife the way he does). Simon said don’t dance but the good news is he was back with passion. LA Reid was proud.

Tate Stevens

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Simon Cowell’s Groups

Contestant: Formerly LYLAS, then 1432, which meant “I Love You Too” , and now “Fifth Harmony”
Twitter:
Song: “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) by Kelly Clarkson

My thoughts: I cried when they showed the clip of the grandfather passing away. I understand how TV works and how exploitive it can be. It could sway votes and Simon needs every card in his favor right now. But I feel badly that she could not grieve in private. The genuine affection the girls have for each other is endearing. After hearing the judges’ comments, LA Reid makes a good point that there was no 5-part harmony going–just 5 young ladies singing the melody.

The judges: LA Reid said he heard unison and not harmony. Britney thought the song sounded great for a group. Demi said the energy got sucked out of the performance because it was weird they were just standing there for an upbeat song. Simon thought it was great.

Fifth Harmony

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Contestant: Emblem3
Twitter: @EmblemThree
Song: “I’m A Believer” by The Monkees

My thoughts: They sounded MUCH better this week. It was my favorite song of the night. The harmonies were spot-on. Note to Drew: I know you are pumped up about your performance on stage, but stop stripping off your shirt. It is getting old. We know you have awesome biceps.

The judges: LA Reid said he would sign them. Britney said she did not like the song. Demi said she did not know what Simon was doing with them and got them to say stuff on stage that wasn’t cool (like they had original stuff, they play instruments, etc., as if Simon was not letting them do something). Simon said this turned them into real pop stars. One of his favorite performances.

Emblem 3

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My picks for going home

The bottom three will be CeCe Frey, Vino Alan, and Diamond White. But who leaves immediately and which two will have to sing for their lives, I am not sure.

Who are your picks to leave tonight?