Who won ‘The X Factor,’ season two?
Carly Rose with host Mario Lopez on the finale. Credit: Ray Mickshaw/Fox
Loading ...Country singer Tate Stevens took home the second “X Factor” $5 million prize tonight, just edging out Carly Rose Sonenclar by 1/3 of 1 percentage point in the vote.
You have to wonder if that rather awful duet with b really hurt Carly. Then again, Tate has been No. 1 more weeks than Carly Rose so this is not a surprise victory.
Tate, a family man, has a strong, indelibly country voice and look. He brought his all consistently week in and week out. “Best day of my life,” he said, ever understated.
“You represent the X Factor really well,” said his mentor L.A. Reid, who i s leaving the show after two seasons.
Will he be able to parlay this into a genuine country career? Hard to say. He is older than most who break in and lacks the looks of many of the pretty boys rising in the country business.
Carly Rose, a mere 13 years old, sang well beyond her years and gave wonderful interpretations of a variety of ballads. She is so young, it’s hard to say how her career will develop. But she is skilled for sure.
Fifth Harmony could not hold off the inevitable. At 9 p.m., they were told they were third, which is still pretty impressive given that there were other acts people expected would last longer than they did. They were put together by Simon Cowell as five individual singers merged into a group. It didn’t really work for a long time but near the end, they threw together a couple of really good performances and seemed fairly cohesive. That’s to the producers’ credit. And Simon, too.
The show creates a faux “red carpet” event featuring One Direction and the judges before the official time filler two-hour event to name the winner. They do a cool opener using the red carpet and the three acts singing “All You Need is Love.” They have everyone sing Christmas songs and receive videotaped messages from friends and family. There are no celebrity singers filling time the first hour (unlike “The Voice”). They do a massive recap in hour two and take live comments from other contestants. Then Pitbull and One Direction perform.
At 9:42 p.m., Carly Rose and Tate duet a Miley Cyrus song “The Climb.” Carly Rose sounds more delicate than powerful. Tate does his best with a song clearly not made for him. They are not compatible duet partners.
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135 comments Add your comment
Sam-A
December 21st, 2012
9:53 am
Something I forgot to mention. David Foster’s wife is new on “Housewives of Bev Hills” – a couple weeks ago she hosted a dinner party for all the women. Michael Johns was there (Deirdre: his hair was really long and he had facial hair and wore a stupid looking hat all thru the show – didn’t look beautiful like he did on Idol – but hey, I’d take him anyway -cut his hair a little, shave his face, good to go!). David F had MJ sing, and told the guests he and MJ played lots of dates together, and that MJ was a “big star”. Michael is really lucky that David took him under his wings – David is a pretty big wig in music biz.
ashley brown
December 21st, 2012
10:15 am
Glad that Tate won as he is more mature and won’t have difficulty with doing so many personal appearances and tours. I feel Carly is too young to face all that and keep up her school work. Would really like to see these talent shows raise the entry age to 18. Wish that the producers of these shows would have a second and third place prize of at least $100,000 and $50,000. Heaven knows they sure can afford it. I’m sure, though, that Simon will sign Carly and Fifth Harmony to some sort of recording contract. Congratulations to all of them!
Rickster
December 21st, 2012
10:26 am
Carly Rose’s mom is blaming LeAnn Rime’s performance for costing Carly the title.
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/12/21/tate-stevens-wins-x-factor-as-runner-up-mom-blames-leann-rimes-for-sinking/?intcmp=features
Personally, I think Carly Rose had a subpar night on the night she needed to be outstanding.
Rickster
December 21st, 2012
10:37 am
I don’t think any of the top 3 will be hurting for money after they all sign contracts. Of course.. splitting the money five ways makes it a bit less profitable for 5th Harmony.
And what is it with Simon & his chest hair? (And what was with Khloe pawing at it and telling Simon how sexy it was on the red carpet?
Icky!
Pitchy
December 21st, 2012
11:11 am
Sam-A, I didn’t even recognize him. I like David Foster’s wife.
That’s horrible that her mom is blasting LeAnne Rhimes. What a way to start in the industry, mom!!!
Rickster, that was very tacky of Chloe, but she’s tacky and self-centered anyway. Oops, did I say self-centered? Heck, that’s the Kardashian’s middle name!
Rickster (Channeling his inner Simon)
December 21st, 2012
1:38 pm
(Read this with a British Accent)
Look… just remember… the show is all about me. From Chloe’s comments about my chest hair, to me looking good as mentor to the girls.. it’s all about me.
I mean… where do you think that Toby Keith got the idea for his song “I want to talk about me?” We were flying across the pond.. and he kept yammering on about how great he thought I was… and how he’d like to work with me… and how hot he thinks the women I date are.
Finally… after what seemed forever (but was only about 15 minutes or so) I told him, “Look… I want to talk about me!”
I just wish there would have been some way to rig the vote so that I… I mean… my girls would have won.
G
December 21st, 2012
2:45 pm
Overall this season, I believe that Idol and Voice had the best “collective” talent/acts. We’ve had the pleasure of enjoying: Jessica Sanchez, Joshua Ledet, Hollie Cavanagh, Terry McDermott, Amanda Brown, Trevin Hunte, De’borah, and even Cassadee Pope.
It will be interesting to see if Idol makes any “steering” changes to produce a certain crop of talent in the top 10. The preasure is on…….
Rickster
December 21st, 2012
3:29 pm
I won’t be back on till January 7th.
I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas & a safe new year.
Jenny
December 21st, 2012
4:09 pm
Dang. Typed a long comment and it got eaten.
I’ll try splitting it into parts:
Hi y’all!! Long time no see! I am FINALLY getting some much, much, much needed time to relax, away from work.
Well, we never did get into XF here at my house… time was just too short (which stinks.
Hoping by Idol, things will be better.) Though based on y’all’s raves, we did catch a couple of Carly Rose’s songs (Rolling In The Deep was one) and thought she was excellent. So it’s just as well I wasn’t into it. I bet I’d have once again been frustrated by the winner!
I’ve been reading comments, and I love love LOVE that most of y’all are spelling hostess’ name either Chloe or Kloe… just as it should be spelled! Her name bugs me to no end…. KH-loe is unpronounceable. If she has to use a K, then the H shouldn’t be there. Yes, I am weird. Forgive me.
Jenny
December 21st, 2012
4:11 pm
OK – it was part two that contained something unacceptable, I guess…
I can’t wait for Idol. Deirdre… you mentioned spoiler lists? Where? Do tell! You know I love my spoilers. (sorry if you already told… I got so backed up on reading that I may have missed it.)
Last but not least — Pitchy — did you see Private Practice on Tuesday??? (All about Charlotte.) I hadn’t been loving the show as much this season, but I ADORED that episode!
Jenny
December 21st, 2012
4:12 pm
How interesting! I tried to make a heart icon after my Private Practice comment to Pitchy… and that’s what it didn’t like! I used the < symbol followed by a 3. Works on Facebook…
Jenny
December 21st, 2012
4:32 pm
Deirdre, I also wanted to say I’m so, so sorry about the loss of your mom. I know I’m late with that, but I’m glad to see you back, and hope it’s helping to be here.
And Mercedes, so sorry for you too about poor little Broken Cat. I really had hoped she was on the upswing. And JT, who I think I read lost a cat around the same time too. (please forgive me if I’m wrong.) They leave such a hole in your heart when they go.
Seth T
December 21st, 2012
6:34 pm
In terms of “entertainment value”, X-Factor did little to improve itself this year – after only getting about half the audience they had projected for their first season, I’m not sure if they did much better this year.
These are the same people that hired Steve Jones to begin with, and then half-replaced him with Khloe-bot, when there were many better choices. Then paid Britney 20 million to sit and utter 3 words. Had Demi, who seemed good for a while, then went crazy with make-overs and weird song choices to the demise of her contestants.
A 2 hour show often was so rife with back-stories, emotional ploys, mindless chatter from back-stage and host questions, overlaid with long, almost endless commercials – that there would only be 12 to 14 minutes of actual decent singing and entertainment in a show.
That’s a pretty good price to pay – to sit through 2 hours of bad actors to get 10 minutes of song you might enjoy. The next season, unless there are some interesting changes, this show is on a DVR only basis.
Cut all commercials, all Judges comments, anything where Khloe is invloved, and just hear the contestants competing. Most of the guest acts are also lame. 30 seconds of most of them is plenty. LeAnn should have sang her blasting swoops at Pitbull instead of Carly.
The only one from this year that I would be watching for an album from — is Vino Alan, if he makes one. Don’t want to see him live, just listen to him sing some R&B.
I have plenty of good Country songs and artists on the drive rotation, and nothing against Tate, but he can’t do them any better, so not looking for any of his album drops – unless there’s a really good fresh new song involved.
Highlander
December 22nd, 2012
7:59 am
“In terms of “entertainment value”, X-Factor did little to improve itself this year – after only getting about half the audience they had projected for their first season, I’m not sure if they did much better this year.” – Seth T, 6:34pm, 12/21
Not too mention getting thrashed in the ratings by The Voice!
Highlander
December 22nd, 2012
8:00 am
CRAP! …Make that “Not TO mention…”
Highlander
December 22nd, 2012
8:10 am
Anyway, morning, all!
So Carly’s mom blames Leann Rimes? Who does she blame for the numerous weeks when Tate was first in the total votes?? …Guess she didn’t quite think that one through. (Remember that old adage – It’s better to be silent and thought a fool, than to speak up and remove all doubt!)
I will say that, with all the things still wrong with X-F (Khloe K, over-production, too much time spent on the judges/”mentors”, too much time spent on sob stories, far too little time spent on actual performing – I could go on and on), I thought the tribute to the Sandy Hook tragedy was very classy and well done! Kudos to Simon and company for getting that one right!
Highlander
December 22nd, 2012
8:18 am
And last but certainly not least…
For those of you who may not be back before Tuesday, Merry Christmas to all!
And Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish friends!
Mercedes S.
December 22nd, 2012
9:03 am
Good Morning!
Thank you, Jenny, for Dec 21, 4:32 pm…
Have been lax in movie recommendations, but here are some:
My favorite movie of the year: “Zero Dark Thirty”. Utterly fascinating drama, directed by Kathryn Bigelow (Oscar-winner for “The Hurt Locker”), about the taking down of Osama Bin Laden – with a female hero who doesn’t have to shoot, kick or scream to get her way. Jessica Chastain is my choice for Best Actress Oscar.
Number two: “Amour”, directed by Mihael Haneke. His movies can be unpleasant, with weird twists… and “Amour” starts off with what looks like a police raid. A second start, and we follow the daily lives of a retired couple, former music teachers. A chaming, with-it couple… until the morning the wife has a small stroke.
From then on, “Amour” tests the “in sickness and in health” promise we give our partners in a wedding ceremony. It’s a harrowing journey, but beautiful too. For mature audiences, though – if you’ve been through this with a parent, it will break your heart. Jean-Louis Trintignant and Emmanuelle Riva in leads.
JTesla
December 22nd, 2012
11:59 am
Thanks Jenny. I’ve been informed that after the tree is down we’ll be getting to kittens from a no kill shelter. I like the no kill shelter part… and I think it’s time.
Happy Holiday’s everyone.
Deirdre
December 22nd, 2012
12:07 pm
Congrats on the new kittens-to-be, JT. And Jenny, thanks you for your good wishes….although, about the time I start disagreeing with you on Idol singers, you may wish I hadn’t come back!
With luck, this year we’ll like the same people.
Mercedes, thanks for the movie list.
RxDawg
December 22nd, 2012
1:01 pm
Glad Tate won. Carly’s mom should shut up, but she is right to be pissed at Leann. What a joke. She was obviously high or drunk or both.
That all said, after watching both shows all season, it’s not even close. The Voice is way better then X Factor. I actually enjoyed watching the voice. I wish I could go back and get the time I lost to XF.
Jenny
December 22nd, 2012
5:11 pm
Oh, good, JT! No-kill shelters are the best. I saw somewhere the saying that “Rescued cats are the best breed of all.)
All our cats have been rescues. Enjoy the kittens!! 
And D, no kidding, LOL! But the season will be fun regardless. I can’t wait!
I actually wish I’d watched the Voice this time… I saw clips of the two (or three?) finalists and though one guy was very good, I thought the girl who won had a lovely voice. And I did see the Hallelujah tribute, posted pretty much everywhere, and that was very cool.
Merry Christmas, everyone! Or if you celebrate a different holiday, hope it’s wonderful too!
Mercedes S.
December 22nd, 2012
5:41 pm
But wait, D., there’s more:
“The Impossible” is the harrowing true-life account of what happened to a Spanish family in the 2004 tsunami. The real family was Spanish; in the movie they are Anglified, with mom played by Naomi Watts and dad by Ewan McGregor. Young Tom Holland is a stand-out as the oldest son, put in charge of finding help for his delirious, near-death mom, as well as trying to reconnect with dad and missing younger brothers.
As for “Les Misérables”, what you get from it depends on what you bring to it. My oldest son was taken to his first “Les Miz” when he was 6 years old and he must have seen ten live productions since then. When he saw the movie he missed the big orchestra pulling out all the stops, to the point that he thought big production numbers like “Master of the House” fell flat. A friend who’d never seen the musical thought it was merely ok. They did agree, though, that Anne Hathaway gives an amazing (dang you, Demi Lovato, for ruining that word) performance as Cosette’s physically ruined mom.
I loved the intimacy of the movie and the live recordings of the songs.
I was pleasantly surprised by the vocal talents of Eddie Redmayne (Marius) and Samantha Barks (Eponine). Even Russell Crowe, who lacks the vocal depth Javert demands, is impressive.
William
December 22nd, 2012
7:18 pm
“He is older than most who break in and lacks the looks of many of the pretty boys”
We realize that you wouldn’t do him, Rod, but unlike the unbelievably untalented masses ( Bieber, J-Ho, gaGa, Kei$ha, any rapper..) the only qualification for being a country music star is that you have TALENT.
He’ll do just fine…
JTesla
December 22nd, 2012
10:30 pm
As for movies, just had a date night to see “The Hobbit”. Loved the theater, reclining love seats, lots of room, in theater food service, no kids… and the I really enjoyed the movie too. Saw it 3D with the 48 frames or whatever that special version is, a few spots I had to look away when the camera spun, but otherwise, meh. Don’t get me wrong, it looked awesome, I’m just not a moviephile. I’ll go see the movie again Monday, that’s how much I liked it, but then I’m a nerd.
Peter W
December 22nd, 2012
11:33 pm
Really–Who Cares?
The Voice was so much better. Any of the top 3 or X Factor would have been lucky to be top 10 on the Voice. Bye Simon! Good riddance.
Mercedes S.
December 23rd, 2012
12:23 am
JT, I would have been very happy had they cut 20 minutes out of that interminable tea party with the dwarves… the 3-D/48 frames is the way to go if you want to do “The Hobbit” justice. I got a bit carsick in the beginning, then I got used to the “hyper-realism.”
Leraw
December 23rd, 2012
9:34 am
serious? this matters?
JTesla
December 23rd, 2012
11:17 am
Nothing matters Leraw.
Mercedes, I agree.
David Puddy
December 24th, 2012
7:23 pm
Yeah, the world needs another middle-aged bubba, fat with tight jeans singing country music. His gig is not sustainable. The Clubs in Nashville are full with these guys. Carly Rose is much more palatable and has upside. What a horrible ending.
Seth T
December 25th, 2012
12:05 am
Checking an article from FreeMoneyFinance from a follow-up on winnings from AGT a few years ago; This might give a better perspective on how Reality/Talent shows winnings may actually be dispersed >>>>
“”The prize, which totals $1,000,000, is payable in a financial annuity over forty years, or the contestant may choose to receive the present cash value of such annuity.
In other words, the prize is like many lotteries: take a smaller amount of cash now, which over time will earn enough interest to make it worth the big amount, or wait for the full amount to trickle in over time as inflation makes each payment less and less valuable.
If we assume the annuity pays a fixed 5 percent interest rate, that would make the one-time payment worth $450,426. That, of course, would be subject to income taxes, so maybe the prize is worth $375,000, about a third of the advertised $1 million.”"
Since Simon loves to say “”I’d be happy to write a 5 million dollar check,”" to advertise the show, he should have to write it, or be held accountable for that statement. However, a structured Annuity pay-out would be more beneficial to the winner – as long as it isn’t paid-out over such a long period that he won’t get a chance to enjoy it.
Mercedes S.
December 25th, 2012
2:02 pm
Late, but not too late – Merry Christmas (or other applicable Holiday Greeting) and Happy New Year!
And Seth, $1,000,000 over 40 years comes to a paltry $25,000 per annum.
A good handbag or two and a handful of Italian shoes – if current prices stay the same, which I doubt.
Pitchy
December 26th, 2012
8:44 am
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you. Health and prosperity to all. Hope is that anyone not having “peace” in their lives will find a way to mend fences and realize the bigger picture is that we “all get along!!!!”
ashley brown
December 26th, 2012
10:22 am
Rodney, I have watched the XFactor final for the 2d time on my DVR and the comment I heard Mario say was that in the past few weeks the voting had been only 1/3 of one percent different. I did not hear any mention of how close the final voting actually turned out to be. Just sayin…………
Rodney Ho
December 27th, 2012
8:18 am
New “Idol” related blog entry up focused on the top 10 “Idol” stories of 2012.