‘X Factor’ top 12 performance recap: diva night
Carly Rose Sonenclar could win this competition. CREDIT: Fox
I’m not sure if tonight’s performances would change anybody’s minds on last week’s rankings. The top acts are coming into sharper focus.
My favorite three were Carly Rose Sonenclar, Vino Alan and Emblem3, three acts who will be around awhile.
The acts in trouble? It’s hard to say exactly. The bottom could include any of these acts: Arin Ray, Paige Taylor, Lyric145, Beatrice Miller and CeCe Frey. My bet is Lyric 145 and Paige Taylor will go home, given that it will be a double elimination. I think CeCe’s pimp spot and all the negative judge commentary will help her weather this week.
1- Jennel Garcia (”Proud Mary” Ike & Tina Turner/ Demi’s team) – From a technical standpoint, she is fine. She stays in key and sings with some level of enthusiasm. But while she has a bit of Diana DeGarmo in her, I just don’t get any “star power” in her. It’s a good karaoke performance is best I can say. Grade: B
2- Tate Stevens (”From This Moment On” Shania Twain/ L.A.’s team) – He ranked a surprising No. 1 last week but given that he is the only country guy in the competition, perhaps that’s not a surprise after all. He has to unfortunately cover a really boring Shania song. Vocally, he hit the big note and while I’m still not sold on him, he certainly pleased his fans. “So heartfelt,” Britney said. “Vocals were amazing.” Simon said it’s annoying to please “Mr. Smug,” saying it was “better than last week.” Grade: B/B-plus
3- Diamond White (”Halo” Beyonce/ Britney’s team) – She sounds shaky in the opening verse but once she hits the chorus, she sounds strong and confident. As Simon says, she does have the makings of a star. She’s not quite there but she has the potential. Grade: B-plus/A-minus
4- Beatrice Miller (”Time After Time” Cyndi Lauper/ Britney’s team) – A significantly slowed-down, stripped down version of this 1984 classic feels too languid in the verses but she certainly sounds pretty in the chorus. A good performance, not a great one. “So cute,” L.A. Reid. “Not the greatest song choice because you didn’t get to peak.” Grade: B/B-plus
5- Lyric 145 (Mashup of “E.T.” Katy Perry & “We Will Rock You” Queen/ Simon’s team) – This felt sloppy, loud and vaguely annoying. The lead singer felt forced. “I think you’ve lost your way,” L.A. Reid. “They should be doing hip-hop tracks,” Britney said. “I don’t get it,” Demi said. Grade: C-plus
6- Arin Ray (”Crazy For You? Madonna/ Britney’s team) – It’s another simple performance with no back-up dancers or smoke, though there are back-up singers during the chorus. I actually like the purity of his feelings and his vocals, though I’m not convinced he is really a star. “I was really bored watching it,” Demi said. Simon said it was the wrong song. Grade: B-plus
7- Paige Taylor (”Last Dance” Donna Summer/ Demi’s team) – She starts strong but once she gets into the dance portion, it’s a bit shaky. Her voice simply doesn’t hold up in the lower registers. And what’s up with that hideous outfit with the oversized shoulder pads? I have yet to be overly impressed with her. Grade: B/B-minus
8- Fifth Harmony (”Hero” Mariah Carey/ Simon’s team) – This “Franken-group” created by Simon is getting better. This was their most coherent, best harmonized performance to date. That’s not to say they have any real shot at winning. Grade: B-plus
9- Carly Rose Sonenclar (”My Heart Will Go On/Celine Dion/ Britney’s team) – She has an interesting voice, with enough grace notes and depth that she could be a great recording audience. Even when she doesn’t quite hit the right note, it’s oddly not a turn off. She has star potential in a way that most of the others don’t. She pulls off a Celine Dion song with aplomb. “You could be looking at the winner,” L.A. said. “You can’t do that at 13,” Simon says. “That last note was incredible.” Grade: A-minus
10- Vino Alan (”Let’s Stay Together” Al Green/ L.A.’s team) – I am warming up to Vino. He blends rock and soul nicely. It’s a good sign when I wanted to hear more than 90 seconds. “I was a little bored,” Demi said. (Side note: is Al Green a diva?) Grade: A-minus/A
11- Emblem3 (”No One” Alicia Keys/ Simon’s team) – Arrogance aside, this trio is talented. I admire their panache and they can sing, too. I expect they’ll do better in the rankings this week for sure after finishing a surprisingly low 6th last week. “You have the perfect vocal blend,” L.A. said. Grade: A/-A minus
12- CeCe Frey (”All By Myself” Celine Dion’s version/ Demi’s team) – The pimp spot? Really? The producers try to instill sympathy for her because her family can’t afford to come to Los Angeles. (”All by myself!” Get it?) But this is about performance, not back story. She is given yet another image makeover– big blond hair, wind machine. She hits the big note but is shaky in between. It still isn’t good enough for her to deserve votes in my mind. “She will be at the bottom again,” L.A. said. “I don’t get it,” Britney said. “It was very cabaret,” Simon said. “They’re way too hard on you,” Demi said. Grade: B-minus
Join my Facebook fan page and Twitter. Oh, and Google +, too!
accessAtlanta Partner Sites
Sections
Advertise on accessAtlanta.com »
Reach the audience you want by advertising on accessAtlanta.com
Join the Access Atlanta Network »
Advertisers and Publishers, expand your reach by joining the Access Atlanta Network.
Tell us what you think about the site
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement | About our ads
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
76 comments Add your comment
DanJ
November 14th, 2012
8:02 pm
Songs of Divas?
Harriett
November 14th, 2012
8:08 pm
Hey! AnyonE watching XF?
Harriett
November 14th, 2012
8:11 pm
I thought she was just ol
DanJ
November 14th, 2012
8:11 pm
I’m here Harriett! I thought Jennel Garcia was good not great maybe an A-
Harriett
November 14th, 2012
8:12 pm
Me too
Harriett
November 14th, 2012
8:13 pm
Wonder how the guys will do?
DanJ
November 14th, 2012
8:14 pm
What criteria makes a female singer a diva? I’m clueless!
Harriett
November 14th, 2012
8:17 pm
I always thought it was a derogatory term, sort of like prima donna. Shania Twain is a diva???
Harriett
November 14th, 2012
8:19 pm
Wrong song.
DanJ
November 14th, 2012
8:24 pm
I thought Tate was pretty good but I agree about it being the wrong song. Simon needs to button his shirt!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sick!
Harriett
November 14th, 2012
8:28 pm
He thinks it expresses virility or something.
Seth T
November 14th, 2012
8:28 pm
Scale of 1 to 10 Jennel gets a 5. Not the right song for her voice, but she looked better, more natural. Singing first is not a good position in the draw.
Tate gets a 6 – but the song was well at the top of his range and pushed to the limit. He may get a 10 from some voters who like the romance and story of his marriage and family, which is fine. Just my opinion of the song – he did hold pitch and put a lot into it.
Squishy
November 14th, 2012
8:30 pm
I can’t believe I’m saying this – but please bring back Robohost.
AC Slater & the girl are beyond horrible…
DanJ
November 14th, 2012
8:32 pm
I usually love Diamond but using Rodney’s scale I’d give her a B+ Her lower registry at the start was weak.
Seth T
November 14th, 2012
8:34 pm
Diamond – not bad, just a little shouty in 2nd phase of the song. – rated at 6. Some have the theory that like Melanie, she was brought-back to be a shoo-in for the win. I don’t think that will hold true.
Seth T
November 14th, 2012
8:38 pm
Nice AI commercial. Same network and some of the same producers as X-Factor.
Harriett
November 14th, 2012
8:38 pm
Agree about Diamond, and agree wit you, Seth about Tate
Harriett
November 14th, 2012
8:41 pm
Kind of sleepy
DanJ
November 14th, 2012
8:43 pm
Beatrice Miller is too fragile emotionally and should not have been put on the live shows so for her sake I hope she goes home sooner rather than later. I don’t want to see another meltdown! I’d say she was a B+…maybe!
Seth T
November 14th, 2012
8:45 pm
I think Beatrice has a good, soulful voice too. But agree with Simon that the song was boring. My rating = 6 1/2.
Harriett
November 14th, 2012
8:46 pm
Fragile is an apt description. She could be really hurt by this experience
Squishy
November 14th, 2012
8:46 pm
This is my first time watching XF this season – is it just me or has this show jumped the shark?
I’m all nostalgic – I miss Astro!
Harriett
November 14th, 2012
8:47 pm
First time I have enjoyed Lyric 145
Lil Red
November 14th, 2012
8:49 pm
I’m only 45 minutes behind but I laughed when they called Simon a diva
DanJ
November 14th, 2012
8:51 pm
We Will Rock You=Diva Song? That’s a bit of a stretch not to mention it didn’t rock me! Lyric 145 might be in trouble this week! B-
Seth T
November 14th, 2012
8:54 pm
Lyric 145 – it’s not about the singing, but quasi- hyper entertainment value of HopPoppin Riotous Rap. Didn’t care for the garb, but a high-energy group. Rate them at 5. .
Harriett
November 14th, 2012
8:54 pm
Hey, Red!
Harriett
November 14th, 2012
8:58 pm
Another sleepy
Seth T
November 14th, 2012
9:01 pm
I don’t hear anything special in Arin’s voice. He’s fair, passable as a singer for some things, seems like a great young man —- but over his head in the competition. Rated at 4.
DanJ
November 14th, 2012
9:01 pm
Arin has the look, a nice voice but is lacking something. Maybe charisma! B-
Harriett
November 14th, 2012
9:05 pm
His pizzy attitude won’t win him any votes. He was angry
Harriett
November 14th, 2012
9:09 pm
Agree with LA and Simon
DanJ
November 14th, 2012
9:10 pm
I liked Paige a lot more than I did last week! Should be safe! A-
Seth T
November 14th, 2012
9:10 pm
PaigeAva – more over-production from Demi’s camp. But Paige did well herself Rated at 6.
Seth T
November 14th, 2012
9:16 pm
5th Harmony – the song struggled on harmony a couple places; but over-all — the other contestants are lucky some of these girls are not in as solo artists. Didn’t like the songchoice, but still
Rated at 7.
DanJ
November 14th, 2012
9:17 pm
I like 5th Harmony but if I’m being honest I didn’t think they were as good as the judges made them out to be! I think one of them had a mic problem and the song was pitchy in places. BTW where’s Pitchy? I give them a B+
DanJ
November 14th, 2012
9:19 pm
I hope Harriett didn’t doze off!
Harriett
November 14th, 2012
9:23 pm
Almost, Dan! But Carly Rose woke me up
Seth T
November 14th, 2012
9:24 pm
As Britney would say, Carly Rose is amazing for her age. Rated at 9.
Harriett
November 14th, 2012
9:24 pm
Waiting for my favorite, Vino next
DanJ
November 14th, 2012
9:26 pm
Carly, regardless if she wins or not will be a HUGE star! A..
Harriett
November 14th, 2012
9:35 pm
Agree totally with Simon. Vino better last week
Seth T
November 14th, 2012
9:35 pm
Vino Alan – I could do without the crotch motions, but a very strong, powerful singer. Didn’t like the song choice. Rated 7.
DanJ
November 14th, 2012
9:37 pm
I agree Harriett but he puts everything he has into the song. I think I like him more than Josh Krajiik from last year. I said I think! He should be safe. A-
Harriett
November 14th, 2012
9:39 pm
I wish he’d stop that too. He was so good just standing and singing without the pseudo Eminem thing going on. He’s so good that he doesn’t need all that crappy posturing
DanJ
November 14th, 2012
9:46 pm
Emblem3 was good and if the truth were known they probably already have a record deal with Simon!
Seth T
November 14th, 2012
9:48 pm
Emblem 3 – best I’ve seen them so far, Not a Boy Band fan, but they did very well vocally and brought good, fun energy to the song. Rated 7 !/2.
Harriett
November 14th, 2012
9:50 pm
So CeCe gets pimp spot.
DanJ
November 14th, 2012
9:50 pm
If X-Factor USA follows X-Factor UK they will be a live tour ala Idol after the show ends!
Seth T
November 14th, 2012
9:52 pm
The background stories they are pushing onto the show, will hurt more than help many of them.
DanJ
November 14th, 2012
9:54 pm
Screaming? Ouch!
Seth T
November 14th, 2012
9:55 pm
CeCe – not good. Bad song, Rated 2. Demi ruined this girl, step by step.
DanJ
November 14th, 2012
9:56 pm
CeCe, Arin or Beatrice will go home. I hope for her sake it’s Beatrice although CeCe was the worst of the night IMO!
nell
November 14th, 2012
10:08 pm
i love the girl who song the the Titanic song and the group with the with the patching her eye well done
Seth T
November 14th, 2012
10:08 pm
In my opinion, Beatrice was better vocally than many of them tonight. But that doesn’t mean she will get much further. It’s still a popularity contest for the most part.
nell
November 14th, 2012
10:12 pm
I would love one of the judges say halt birthday to on Friday that will be nice it would the best thing that happen to my mon
Highlander
November 15th, 2012
7:09 am
“The background stories they are pushing onto the show, will hurt more than help many of them.” – Seth T, 11/14, 9:52pm
For the most part, the back stories (all poor-poor-pitiful-me themes) leave me unimpressed. In the immortal words of Katy Perry, “This isn’t a Lifetime movie!”
Does someone really deserve to win a singing competition because they’ve had a “tough” life?! …Isn’t that exactly how AGT ended up with a one-trick pony chicken chaser as “champion” one season?
Deirdre
November 15th, 2012
7:14 am
Morning!
Haven’t seen the show yet but I can ff the dvr through the judges and the back stories so it won’t be difficult to catch up on the performances. I have a lot of catching up to do on a number of shows.
Deirdre
November 15th, 2012
7:33 am
Just saw a new promo for Idol. The theme is “Others dream…Idol delivers” focusing on the previous contestants who have moved on to fame.
Deirdre
November 15th, 2012
7:44 am
And, mj has a poll up for last night’s performances. Top 3 in the poll so far are:
Carly Rose with 36% of the vote.
Tate with 13%
5th Harmony 11.5%
Bottom 3 are:
Arin Ray 1%
Paige 1.2%
Diamond 2.3%
DanJ
November 15th, 2012
9:00 am
With so many young ladies voting more so than any other voting block I think with the exception of Arin Ray they’ll be a lot of females to exit the show in the next few weeks. With three 13 year old girls I think Beatrice will go in the next few weeks if not tonight. CeCe was horrible and should go. Regardless to how they sing any of these:
Beatrice, Paige, CeCe, Arin and Lyric145 will exit the next 5 weeks.
G
November 15th, 2012
9:59 am
It sounded like the mixers took all of the special effects/voice enhancers off of the mic for the singers last night. I could hear a bit of shakes in most all the performers last night. You really had to be a strong vocalist to shine with no technical errors last night.
I still like Tate the best from last night. Not my favorite from him, but he “got-her-done”.
CeCe was definitely the worst of the night and she knows it. The poor girl had a look on her face that told the story. I agree that Demi has ruined this girl.
Speaking of judges/mentors that are ruining acts……….Simon continues to guide Lyric 145 down the wrong path. They should have performed something from Lauren Hill/Fugees, Queen Latifah, or Salt-N-Pepa. Simon has made a total clusterpuk of this group. LA Reid’s critique of this group has been on the money since day 1. Those who truly understand the essence of hip hop would agree too.
Harriett
November 15th, 2012
10:45 am
I was not terribly impressed with the show last night. Even my favorite, Vino, was kind of average. I liked him just singing, without all the posturing, as I said last night. I wish he wasn’t trying so hard to be hip-hop. He’s really talented without the garbage.
And, good morning.
Deirdre
November 15th, 2012
11:11 am
Those who truly understand the essence of hip hop would agree too.
While I don’t even begin to understand the “essence of hip hop” I have to agree with G. I enjoyed the Mary Poppins song last week and the Queen song this week but Simon appears to be trying to Disneyfy hip hop and it just doesn’t work. The only conclusion I can come to is that the hip hoppers and rappers are included in the show in an effort to prove that XF is “with it’, “hip” or whatever slang term means modern or up to date today. Simon has no clue. Why not give this group to LA? Why? Because LA would try to turn ALL the groups into hip hop artists.
This show continues to fail on sooo many levels.
Deirdre
November 15th, 2012
11:13 am
And yet…I continue to watch it like I need to be punished for something…which I probably do.
DanJ
November 15th, 2012
11:23 am
@G, I also noticed the singers wer not as good as in the past but could not put my finger on it. I did notice when 5th Harmony sang that Diana Jane Hansen’s mic didn’t seem to work when she first started to sing her part and I also notice Camilla Carbello’s voice didn’t seem to blend as well in the harmonies. So I’m glad you pointed out what well could be the problem.
As for Lyric 145 I think both you and LA Reid see them from a purest standpoint. Which I cannot disagree with, however I think Simon first put them through as filler. To fill the 3rd spot. Then I think he realized they may take votes from Emblem3 and wanted to show contrast. Whether Simon lucked his way into it or not I think he’s creating an entertaining form of hip-hop for those who don’t normally care for it. Honestly it may keep them on the show longer. It would not surprise me if LA signed them after the show ends. I think Lyric will keep it’s base when it comes to voting and their entertainment value may garner new fans.
Deirdre
November 15th, 2012
12:06 pm
wow
Pitchy
November 15th, 2012
12:23 pm
Good afternoon. I had to tape the show. Looking forward to watching it over the weekend. I haven’t read nary a post (lol).
Dum-Bass
November 15th, 2012
12:28 pm
SERIOUSLY, how do you people sit and watch this show? I made myself watch a full show last night for the first time, since I had nothing else going on, and I was amazed at the lack of talent, the bad production, and the immature actions of the judges. I only saw 2 contestants who would make it past the audition rounds for American Idol. That would be Beatrice Miller and Tate Stevens. The rest were AI “rejects” and maybe one or two of them might make it on The Voice. JMOOTBYT (just my opinion, ought to be yours too)
Harriett
November 15th, 2012
1:34 pm
Why are you on a blog talking to people who sit and watch this show?
Seth T
November 15th, 2012
1:53 pm
Some of us watch the show because it’s such a hot mess.
Britney diss’d Simon pretty good last night, Demi continued the destruction of her talent’s potentials with bad advice and LA weaved his head around a few more times.
Lyric 145 looked like an overgrown Disney act, which was at least more entertaining than listening to some hopefuls trying to out-diva an old Diva ballad. The poorly chosen theme of Diva night, did remind me of Idol though, where they want a 17 year-old girl to try to survive by singing Billy Joel music.
I think the song format will eliminate Arin Ray tonight for sure. Since Jennel had the “elimination spot – first to sing” she will not be gauranteed safe, along with Paige, Diamond, Lyric 145 and CeCe.
The “primary/pimp spot” for Cece singing last – might let her escape the double elimination tonight.
So possible eliminations are; Arin & Paige / Arin & Diamond / Arin & Lyric 145 or Arin & CeCe with an Arin & Jennel unlikely, but not totally out of the question. If there’s some kind of a run-off save by the Judges, 3 of them will not try to save Arin. When Arin goes, it will help Emblem 3 or Lyric 145 if they stay, at least a little bit.
Of course, if I’m wrong, I will claim that my assistant said this, and I am outraged by his inept attempt at predictions.
Harriett
November 15th, 2012
2:40 pm
Well said, Seth.
G
November 15th, 2012
3:22 pm
DanJ, you make an excellent point about the appeal of Lyric, being a mainstream hip hop act. All hip hop is not the same, it ranges from pop to gansta and everything in between. I just think they could’ve at least performed a better selection of songs, with better outfits.
MerleK3
November 15th, 2012
3:36 pm
I originally liked CeCe. The first week, she sung badly.I thought nerves? The second week, she was worst than the week before! Last night she was horrible. Is it because of Demi or is her nerves just getting the best of her?
DanJ
November 15th, 2012
3:58 pm
@G, It was a bad song choice, I would have liked to hear a hip-hop version of R-E-S-P-E-C-T or another Aretha Franklin song. They could have had some interesting twists with it.
@MerleK3, CeCe was never great IMO. She has a nice voice but it’s limited. Honestly she would be better suited for Country music. In some ways she reminds me of Tanya Tucker.
Rickster
November 15th, 2012
4:02 pm
Afternoon, folks. Sorry I’ve not been in lately. Just very slammed at work.
Didn’t watch – don’t care who wins.
But whether he wins or not… Tate Stevens could be the biggest star out of the group.