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| Top 12 X Factor contestant Vino Alan performing "Let's Stay Together" |
On season 2, episode 16 of The X Factor, the Top 12 contestants perform for judges Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid, Britney Spears and Demi Lovato. This week’s theme is “Divas” so the performers have big shoes to fill, and a little extra to worry about; at the next elimination, two contestants will be sent home.
Jennel Garcia from Demi Lovato’s Young Adults sings Tina Turner's "Proud Mary" in a fringed white outfit, and her curls are back. She seems closer to the Jennel we saw in the auditions than the Jennel we’ve seen in recent weeks. L.A. Reid says her performance smoked, Britney thinks Tina would be proud, Simon tells her she’s back in the game, and that he’s glad she listened to him about returning to her original rocker style. Demi says she listened to Simon and she thinks he knows what he’s talking about.
Tate Stevens from L.A. Reid’s Over 25s does Shania Twain's "From This Moment". In his mentoring session L.A. reminds him to sing to his wife. Britney says his performance was heartfelt, Demi says he’s “so good”, Simon says, “This is going to be really, really annoying for me to say because of Mr. Smug on my right” (jokingly referring to L.A.), but that he’d be happy to hand Tate the 5 million dollar check.
Diamond White from Britney Spears’ Teens performs Beyoncé’s "Halo" on an illuminated runway. L.A. says she started out shaky but filled Beyoncé’s shoes, Demi tells her this week is perfect for her, Simon advises her not to walk and sing at the same time, and added that he thinks we’re looking at a future star and that he’s happy she’s back on the show, Britney is incredibly proud.
Beatrice Miller from Britney’s Teens is next with Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" – she sings in front of a giant hourglass. L.A. thinks she’s “so cute” but doesn’t like the song choice, Demi thinks she’s adorable and does like the song choice, Simon liked it better than last week but said it was “boring”, Britney tells Simon that Beatrice “has more talent in her pinky than you do in all of your contestants." Britney thinks her performance was incredibly special.
Lyric145 from Simon Cowell’s Groups does a mash-up of Queen's "We Will Rock You" and Katy Perry's "E.T." L.A. says it was better than last week, but he thinks they’ve lost their way and it could be the last time we see them, Britney thinks they should be doing hip-hop tracks, Demi doesn’t think "E.T." fits in and that she doesn’t get it, Simon says he does get it, and that Lyric145 brings an energy the show needs.
Arin Ray from Britney’s Teens sings Madonna's "Crazy for You". There is a false start when the drum track from Queen’s “We Will Rock You” starts to play, but producers catch it quickly and then Arin begins his performance. L.A. says, "This is a five million dollar prize and I didn't get a five million dollar performance." Demi agrees and says she was bored, Simon tells him that taking on that song was "like asking a cat to eat a tiger", Britney disagrees and tells him he nailed it.
Paige Thomas from Demi’s Young Adults takes the stage with Donna Summer's "Last Dance" with Robin S' "Show Me Love". She looks gorgeous in a sparkling red outfit with matching lips., and perorms on a stage filled with dancers and confetti. L.A. says she gets a pass because it was her best performance yet, Britney tells her, “it was like a disco ball exploded onstage”, Simon agrees with L.A., but thought the dancers were distracting. Demi says she nailed it.
Fifth Harmony from Simon's Groups does Mariah Carey's ballad "Hero". They are all dressed in white and perform without a circus, a parade, or dancers behind them – just a bit of confetti. L.A. tells them they are all loveable and that they struggled but it turned into a great performance, Britney was extremely impressed and compliments Simon on the job he’s doing with them, Demi says they killed it, Simon thinks, “Maybe there's a chance that five girls with brilliant voices can actually win this show."
Carly Rose Sonenclar from Britney’s Teens is next with Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On". She wears a pretty gown and sings in a spare setting lit with chandeliers. L.A. says we could be looking at the winner, Demi can’t believe it’s Carly Rose’s voice, Simon echoes that sentiment saying, "I don't believe you're a human being… because you can't do that at 13. Your control on that song...and that note at the end was absolutely incredible.” Britney tells Carly Rose she has chills and that she’s spectacular.
Vino Alan from L.A.’s Over 25s does the Tina Turner version of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together". He also performs without a bunch of dancers and over-the-top production, and it suits him. Britney thinks his voice is “so soulful”, Demi likes it better than last week but says she was bored, Simon doesn’t like it as much as last week and says Vino needs bigger songs that he can just kill. L.A. says “Let’s stay together”, and that Vino was strong.
Emblem3 from Simon’s Groups comes on next with Alicia Keys' "No One". They perform under a big, red Emblem3 logo, and there are a few background singers. L.A. tells them they have the perfect vocal blend and that it was the perfect song and that they are complete superstars. Britney totally gets why girls are swooning for them. Demi compliments their great energy; Simon thinks this performance will put them on top because they were “absolutely brilliant.”
CeCe Frey from Demi’s Young Adults is the last act of the evening – she sings Eric Carmen's "All By Myself" in a strapless gown in front of a backdrop of stars. L.A. says he’s at a loss for words, and that he doesn’t like her dress. He also guesses that she’ll be in the bottom two again. Demi retorts that she’s better than Vino. Britney says she just doesn’t get it, Simon thought it was “very cabaret”, and quips that CeCe would be better off singing that song with no one in the room. Demi thinks CeCe nailed it.
On tonight's The X Factor (11/15), two acts from the Top 12 will be eliminated, and Taylor Swift will perform.
The X Factor airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8/7c on FOX.
To read more of our X Factor coverage click here.
Photos ©Talkback Thames, FremantleMedia, SYCOtv
Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2012 4:30 PM
