The X-Factor: InTENsity Voted Off

To America, perhaps InTENsity just wasn't intense enough.

It was the group's last performance on the X- Factor Thursday night, as the judges and votes from around the country eliminated them from the talent competition.

The group of youngsters, coached by Paula Abdul, saw themselves in the bottom two, ironically with the Stereo Hoggz who wowed the crowd with their upbeat performance of Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation.”

In a final attempt to save themselves both groups performed before the judges. The Stereo Hoggz chose “Emotions,” a 1976 classic by the Bee Gees, and later made popular again by Destiny’s Child.

InTENsity went with Kelly Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You.” Simon Cowell was moved by their performance and voted for them over the Stereo Hoggz, despite saying Wednesday night, “I don’t think there is a band in the world now as good as you.”

Pop diva and former Pussycat Doll, Nicole Sherzinger, didn't see eye-to-eye with Cowell.  L.A. Reid and Paula Abdul did not agree with Cowell either and the three voted to send InTENsity home.

The Glee-like group of kids were inconsolable, crying and sobbing on stage upon being eliminated.

Earlier in the evening, InTENsity and the other 11 acts performed “Without You” by David Guetta, featuring Usher as an opening number. The collaboration was received well by the audience and the judges.

Even with 28 people on stage singing at the same time, the lyrics were clear and on cue. Brian Bradley, a.k.a. Astro, then rapped an original piece, which the crowd seem to favor as well.

Source: Alexandra Gratereaux

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in 2011 best salsa website salsacircuit , 2011 best talent competition , 2011 best talent show X-factor , 2011 xfactor , Paula Abdul , X-Factor

X Factor: Sparks Fly as 12 Move On, 5 Go Home

It was the end of the road for five contestants on The X- Factor Tuesday night as only 12 were chosen to continue on to the next round of the Live shows.

Each judge had to eliminate one candidate. Simon Cowell had to eliminate two since he brought back Melanie Amaro last week.

The first singer voted off the competition was Philip Lomax, who sang his rendition of The Monkees 1966 classic “I’m a Believer.” Although Reid was happy that Lomax challenged himself with something out of his comfort zone, it was not good enough to go up against the performances of Brian “Astro” Bradley, Chris Rene and Marcus Canty.

Fellow judges Simon Cowell disagreed with Reid and thought the song did not work in Lomax’s favor. While Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger felt Lomaz did a good job.

Reid nonetheless eliminated Lomax from the competition.

The Brewer Boys were next to get canned, this time by Abdul, who was mentoring the "groups." All was going well for the brothers when performing a mix of Hall & Oates’ 1977 “Rich Girl” and George Michael’s 1987 song “Faith.

Things took a turn for the worse when the two decided to remix the song into a folkloric beat which neither Reid or Cowell liked.

On the other hand The Stereo Hogzz, impressed the judges with their smooth dance routine , while Cowell thought  InTENsity is “"the equivalent of a music miracle." Lakoda Rayne was also safe.

On to the "over 30’s" with Pussycat Doll extraordinaire Nicole Scherzinger, who was arguing with Cowell back and forth the entire show.

The homeless Dexter Haygood was sent home after performing Britney Spear’s “Womanizer” and Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl.”

The Robert Palmer “Addicted to Love” look-alike backup dancers did not convince Cowell and Reid who both said the song choices were off. LeRoy Bell performed a rendition of Pink’s ballad “Nobody Knows” while Stacy Francis sang George Michaels’ 1987 tune “One More Try.”

Josh Krajcik got the judges’ approval with an emotional rendition of Bob Dylan’s 1941 “Forever Young” classic.

Simone Battle and Tiah Tolliver were the girls regretfully sent home by Cowell.

Reid confronts Cowell in front of everyone questioning what he saw in Battle to begin with. The rest of the judges agree. Her performance to S.O.S’s “Just Be Good to Me” did not make the cut.

Tolliver’s lady Gaga-esque goth performance to Eurythmics’ 1980’s “Sweet Dreams” did her no good either. Abdul warns Tolliver about her pitch if she wants to make it in the industry.

Singing a mix of Justin Bieber’s “Baby” and The Supremes 1964 smash hit “Where Did the Love Go?” Rachel Crow wowed the crowd and the judges.

Reid thinks Crow will also make a great actress, while Abdul, Scherzinger and Cowell congratulate Crow on her excellent performance.

Ryniewcz sings Irene Cara’s 1983 tune “What a Feeling” and left the judges speechless, while Melanie Amaro was told by the judges that she is simply “special” and she deserved to be brought back to the competiton.

Next week voting opens up to the public in the hopes of getting closer to choosing the contestant who has “The X Factor.”

Source: Alexandra Gratereaux

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in L.A. Reid , Nicole Scherzinger , Paula Abdul , Simon Cowell , Steve Jones 2011 Top singing contest , X- Factor 2011

The X Factor: Stacy Francis Wows; Enrique Iglesias Judges

Enrique Iglesias joined Nicole Scherzinger in her Malibu home as a special guest in the “Judges Homes” auditions on The X Factor on Thursday night.

“When Nicole asked me to be her guest judge I was extremely happy,” Iglesias said. “We get along, we’re good friends and we’ve worked together in the past.”

“I want to see that one person that sticks out,” he added. “It’s not so much all the time about vocal ability, it’s about that uniqueness.”

Fellow judge Paula Abdul had the ‘Groups’ at her home in Santa Barbara Calif., with R&B singer/producer Pharell Williams assisting. L.A. Reid and the ‘Boys’ were in his residence in New York City with Rihanna, and Simon Cowell flew the ‘Girls’ out to the South of France, where unfortunately Mariah Carey could not make it due to hurricane Irene.(That was when the segment was taped.)

Back in Malibu, Iglesias and Scherzinger were blown away with Stacy Francis as she performed an emotion filled rendition of Prince’s classic 1984 ballad “Purple Rain.”

“This is everything to me,” Francis said as tears fell down her face. “I have it in me and it’s my time.”

The Spanish singer was seemed to be in shock with the strength of Francis’ voice.

“I think the neighbors heard that,” a smiling Iglesias told Francis.

Scherzinger, who was in tears along with Francis, questioned if Francis had enough confidence to make it in the music business.

“It’s hard,” said Scherzinger. “I don’t understand. She has all the talent but she will only be as great as her fears and insecurities and doubts.”

Iglesias wondered if Francis would be successful at selling albums.

“Is it good for today’s market?” Iglesias asked Scherzinger. “Will it sell? Will a record company sign her?”

Francis thinks she certainly has the goods to go on to win The X Factor.

“I just want to be on stage,” Francis reiterated. “It’s all I live and breathe for.”




Source Alexandra Gratereaux

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Enrique Iglesias , Judges Homes , Nicole Scherzinger , Paula Abdul , Stacy Francis , The X Factor