I expected The X Factor to save the best for last in its final audition episode.
But I’m not sure that happened Thursday night.
Instead, the show spent a needless final four minutes reminding us of “special” contestants we’d already met — 18-year-old Melanie Amaro. personable 13-year-old Rachel Crow, recovering addict Chris Rene, and 42-year-old Stacy Francis.
Gee, guys, the show’s only been on for two weeks. Our memories aren’t that short.
And, frankly, it was quite annoying. And reminiscent of the way Idol pimps certain contestants over others.
We get it. Chris, Melanie, Rachel and Stacy are likely to survive boot camp, perhaps be in the finals, even if Stacy is the only one who seemed truly special during the auditions.
On to the Thursday night recap:
The judges: Poor Nicole Scherzinger already faces a credibility crisis sitting on this panel. And the show’s editors aren’t doing her any favors. If it takes her as long to pick out a pair of heels as it did to decide the fate of a half-talented duo named Ausem … well, she’d never make it to the show on time. Fortunately, the remainder of the panel is superior, far superior, to what you’ll find on Idol.
And was that a dig at Randy Jackson? One vocally challenged young lady took the stage claiming she was “in it to win it.” Unfortunately, 21-year-old bartender Nouf Taraman sings about as well as Randy judges … which means she did not advance. Grade: C, partly because the show was short on those trademark Simon zingers.
The Music: Nervous 16-year-old Jasslyn Little was the final performer we met. She admitted she posted a video of herself singing on Youtube and got only 500 hits. And she admitted she was probably the problem. Then she turned in a version of Mary J. Blige’s “I’m Going Down” that brought the four judges to their feet. Said Simon: “I’d love to see what you’re like when you’ve got confidence.”
Among the other highlights: Paige Elizabeth Ogle, 18, won me over when she said she’d make a place for herself in the music business by taking out Justin Bieber. Then she won me over a second time singing Lady Gaga’s “You and I.” Cari Fletcher showed up on stage looking like a star and with more holes in her jeans than Kristi Lee Cook. I’m hoping her vocals are more along the lines of Carrie Underwood.
Nashville singer Brennin is sure to make some young ladies swoon with his look and his swagger. He performed an original song, “How We Make It,” and sounded very good. For those who would like to hear more, he has an EP available on iTunes.
As for the rest, 14-year-old Brian Bradley came off as a wee bit too obnoxious, 21-year-old Tora Woloshin won praise from the judges for a shouty vocal, only one half of the Ausem tandem was worthy of advancing, and I must have totally missed the appeal of a quintet known as The Stereo Hogzz. Grade: C.
Coming next: The X Factor Boot Camp starts next week. Think Hollywood Week on Idol, done bigger and with more drama. I’m already going to predict how this will go. Grade: Z.
Related Posts
-
March 11, 2021 -
February 25, 2021 Meet Celeste Butler of American Idol Season 19
-
Featured Music
Daddy's Mugshot
Laci Kaye Booth, Top 5 on American Idol Season 17, dropped a new single Friday. And if you somehow missed her 2024 album, "Loneliest Girl in the World," do yourself a favor and check it out!
Aaron Rizzo Adam David Alanna Lynise Angie Rey Ari Camille BDII (Brian Darden) Braxton Garza Britton Moore Carlos Santiago Conor JamesMORE BELOW
The Voice Season 27 Profiles
The Voice Season 27 Profiles
Darius J.
Dennis Lorenzo
Dimitrius Graham
Ethan Eckenroad
Fran
Hailey Wright
Iris Herrera
Jacquelyn George
Jaelen Johnston
Jay Ammo
Jayden Cree (Olesen)
Jessica Manalo
Lucia Flores-Wiseman
Naomi Soleil
Nell Simmons
Olivia Kuper Harris
Page Mackenzie
Ricardo Moreno
Robert Hunter
Simone Marijic
Tatum Scott
Tori Templet
Trevon Dawson
American Idol Season 19 Profiles
Featured Music
'Treasure' indeed
Laci Kaye Booth, Top 5 on American Idol Season 17, dropped her debut album Aug. 6. Her debut single, the ridiculously addictive "Treasure," heads to country radio in mid-September.
Archives
-
-
Could The Voice avoid montages? Of course, if they cared
April 3, 2025 By Mark Franklin -
Former American Idol standout Will Moseley drops new single
April 2, 2025 By Mark Franklin -
American Idol Hollywood Week photo gallery
April 1, 2025 By Mark Franklin -
Angie Rey, Kolby Cordell nab steals on The Voice
March 31, 2025 By Mark Franklin
-
Song by song grades for the Top 8 on American Idol
April 29, 2024 By Mark Franklin -
Iam Tongi scores an Apple Music hit for American Idol
May 19, 2023 By Mark Franklin -
Song by song grades for the Top 12 on The Voice
December 4, 2023 By Mark Franklin -
Song by song grades for the Top 14 on American Idol
April 21, 2024 By Mark Franklin -
Song by song grades for American Idol’s Top 24, Group 2
April 8, 2024 By Mark Franklin
-
-
We haven’t heard the last from David Archuleta
February 21, 2011 By Mark Franklin -
Meet American Idol contestant Hollie Cavanagh
January 30, 2012 By Mark Franklin -
Meet American Idol contestant Jessica Sanchez
February 5, 2012 By Mark Franklin -
Meet American Idol contestant Phillip Phillips
January 19, 2012 By Mark Franklin
Post-Voice Music
Recent Voice Views Interviews
-
-
Could The Voice avoid montages? Of course, if they cared
April 3, 2025 By Mark Franklin -
Former American Idol standout Will Moseley drops new single
April 2, 2025 By Mark Franklin
-
Song by song grades for the Top 8 on American Idol
April 29, 2024 By Mark Franklin -
Iam Tongi scores an Apple Music hit for American Idol
May 19, 2023 By Mark Franklin -
Song by song grades for the Top 12 on The Voice
December 4, 2023 By Mark Franklin
-
-
We haven’t heard the last from David Archuleta
February 21, 2011 By Mark Franklin -
Meet American Idol contestant Hollie Cavanagh
January 30, 2012 By Mark Franklin
Leave a reply