Sixty enter the stage, only 24 will move on to the judges’ homes. They paired up the acts, both having to sing one song. Both could make it. One could make it. None could make it. The pressure was too much for some of the singers with a combination of being off-key and forgetting the lyrics. For some, they only forget a few words; others completely shut down and drew a blank, knowing that they likely ruined their shot. Manipulations were afoot as well, the more dominant personality trying to convince the less dominant individual that the song choice was a good one, or in some cases ignoring the comments said that they did not want to do the song.
TARA SIMON vs. JENNEL GARCIA
(“Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac)
Jennel expresses her feelings that she did not want to sing that song and Tara commits to it anyway. Jennel’s demeanor and even the way she dresses are different. She looks nervous and it is a weak song for her. Tara, bubbling with overconfidence, performs worse than Jennel. Tara was overly affected. Britney Spears looks like it is painful to listen to it. Tara still thinks she rocked it after the commentary. Note to Tara: When the judges say that they don’t like the “song choice” it is a polite way of saying you sucked singing it without it being a personal attack.
VINO ALAN vs. DAVID CORREY
(“What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye)
David starts out dissing the judges and calls them “roadblocks to his dream.” That is not a good start, but his vocal is okay (not perfect, but okay). Vino messes up his lyric (which I did not even catch) but the judges did not notice. They DO notice he has anger management issues. Vino sounded okay as well. I liked how David said he had great respect for Vino and wants them to go through together.
PAIGE THOMAS vs. CECE FREY
(“Secrets” by OneRepublic)
Paige said that Cece wanted to do “Secrets” and she did not agree and left the room saying that. Paige talks to a vocal coach and says she feels she is getting played in the matter, but gets a pep talk from the vocal coach that she has this moment and she has to make it work. When the judges asked how the song was picked, there was silence, followed by Cece falling over her words about how “they” picked the song which I did not buy. Cece wants to win “like oxygen coming out of my lungs.” Nice thought but carbon dioxide is what comes out of your lungs. Paige forgets the lyrics. Her lower range is OFF! She is flat. I did not like it at all. Cece is too affected. She needs better stage presence (less affect). I think this song is the worst she has done so far. She, too, is flat. Cece thinks she should go through instead of Paige just because Paige forgot the lyrics.
JASON BROCK vs. BRIANA WRIGHT
(“Titanium” by David Guetta and Sia)
They only show Jason singing and the song is not good choice for his voice.
L3VEL vs. EMBLEM3
They did not show this challenge.
DIAMOND WHITE vs. DINAH JANE HANSEN
(“Stronger [What Doesn’t Kill You]” by Kelly Clarkson)
This was a slow version of the show. Dinah’s lower range is rough. It sounded like both were trying to sing the song just a little bit faster than the piano player. Diamond’s lower range was a tad bit rough as well. The song was too slow– too sleepy– for me. Dinah is worried because she forgot the lyrics but I did not notice. Diamond reassures her (I like that–you can be competitors without being a cut-throat).
BEATRICE MILLER vs. CARLY ROSE SONENCLAR
(“Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People)
Two 13-year-olds battle. Beatrice needs to get control of her excessive vibrato. She looks like a young Maria Bello. For 13-year-olds I guess they did well, but I thought it was too flat and sharp so I did not care for either performance.
SISTER C vs. LAUREN JAUREGUI
(“These Arms of Mine” by Otis Redding)
I just do not like Sister C. Nothing personal. Their twang grates on my nerves. I am not a country music fan, but there is some country music I can listen to that sounds nice. Britney also thinks they are. Lauren did a great job.
BRANDON HASSAN vs. REED DEMING
(“Secrets” by OneRepublic)
Both are flat. I would choose neither.
JULIA BULLOCK vs. ALLY BROOKE
(“Knocking on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan)
Both were flat but Ally was slightly better.
JEFFREY ADAM GUTT vs. UNKNOWN
(“If I Die Young” The Band Perry)
This is country music I can listen to. They did not show much of his singing, but it was rough in spots but I think he will get through.
WILLIE JONES vs. TATE STEVENS
(“Nobody Knows It But Me” by Babyface)
Willie got nervous and forgot most of the lyrics. But I think for the short time Willie is singing, he sings it better than Tate. Tate is overconfident that he nailed it. The judges think Tate threw Willie under the bus and try to decide if that is a good thing or not.
ARIN RAY vs. NORMANI HAMILTON (Houston girl!)
(“What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction)
Hers was very hard to judge. It was weird and difficult to describe. It was like she was hitting these one notes for a second and moving on to the next note with no carrying over of the note to the next. It sounded like she didn’t even say, “you’re beautiful” and forgot a line of lyric before it. He was sour, flat on notes. I think the higher range was too much for him.
FREDDIE COMBS vs. JESSIE BRYANT (Houston boy!)
(“Up On the Roof” by The Drifters)
Both of them forgot their lyrics. When you forget the lyrics this badly, you have to have brought something awesome to the previous songs you have done to get through this next cut. I don’t think either of them will make it through.
JILLIAN JENSEN vs. LATASHA LEE ROBINSON
(“Stay” by Sugarland)
Whenever I hear, “I’m very confident”, 99% of the time that overconfidence is what will knock them down. Latasha forgot the lyrics. Jillian rocked it. I liked that she even tried to help Latasha out by saying Latasha knew the words before she came out. Jillian is my favorite to win and if she makes it all the way through, I will be voting for her.
NICK YOUNGERMAN vs. ONE4FIVE
Nick forgot his lyrics. They did not show the group performing.
JORDAN SHANE vs. UNKNOWN
Jordan forgot her lyrics.
CAMILA CABELLO vs. UNKNOWN
(“Your Song” by Elton John)
It was terrible.
OWEN STUART vs. UNKNOWN
(“Sexy and I Know It” by LMAFO)
The 10 seconds or less that they showed sounded okay.
LYRIC DA QUEEN vs. UNKNOWN
Did not show enough of the song to judge.
PREVIEW FOR NEXT WEEK
In one group going to the judges’ homes, I definitely see that Cece and Willie have made it (because of her spots and his haircut). It looks like possibly Jennel and Arin, too. But I could not make out the other contestants viewing from the backs of their heads or quick back/side shot. In the groups it looks like Sister C is there.
Cece in the red dress; Willie in the jean jacket.
PEPSI XFACTOR FLAVOR CHOSEN
It was Demi’s choice of Dragon which Simon insists was his choice, too.
But the question remains: What happened to Panda Ross!?
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