Smallscreen News
X Factor: The Final Twelve, some thoughts
By Ian Cullen Oct 6, 2010, 3:28 GMT
Storm Lee: Who flew in from America to audition for the show, and successfully seemed to rub Simon Cowell the wrong way. Amazing the effect that a stage name can have. Either way Storm went down a storm with Louie, who liked him so much that he chose him for his final three, and the fact that returning judge Sharon Osbourne liked him didn’t hinder him either.
First off let me start by apologizing to readers for my tardiness with the X - Factor updates of late. It’s been a busy few weeks.
Excuses out of the way. Let me tell you that the last couple of weeks of the X Factor have probably given us the best and the worst of talent out there in the UK.
The worst being a young lady with no apparent dress sense going by the name of Chloe Mafia, who was all over the tabloid press because she was using her new found celebrity as a means to boost her profile as a prostitute, who was charging about £250 per hour, and did much to boost the shows ratings. Rightly or wrongly.
Thankfully common sense prevailed and she didn’t get through the Boot Camp phase of the show, but those that did were not in for an easy ride as they journeyed to the judges homes for to find out if they could cut it for the finals.
This year sees a big change for Simon Cowell.
Until recently it has been Louis Walsh who has always someone managed to get the groups in the final stages of the show, but this year Simon drew what he would call the short straw while Louie has got the over-28s, which left Cheryl Cole with the girls category and Dannii Minogue got the boys.
After a brutal selection process the final 12 places were decided and they are listed below with their mentor’s for you to see.
Making up the three bands, which will be mentored by Simon Cowell are:
One Direction: Who will probably be headed out the door in the opening few weeks of the competition. This band was slung together from a group of failed solo auditions, and much like the forgettable Future Proof will probably leave the competition fairly early.
Belle Amie: The female version of One direction who’ll also likely exit early due to the fact that they’ll probably fall out with each other after a few weeks, and stilettos will most likely fly as the claws come out. Ironically Belle Amie means “Beautiful Friend” in english. Oh dear!
FYD: Which means For Your Direction are the only Boy Band that auditioned as such amongst the finalist, and have some very obvious JLS leanings, but I doubt they’ll be able to emulate the success of JLS.
Making up the over 28s who’ll be tutored by Louis Walsh are:
Storm Lee: Who flew in from America to audition for the show, and successfully seemed to rub Simon Cowell the wrong way. Amazing the effect that a stage name can have. Either way Storm went down a storm with Louie, who liked him so much that he chose him for his final three, and the fact that returning judge Sharon Osbourne liked him didn’t hinder him either.
Mary Byrne: Gutsy 50 - year old Mary Byrne was also chosen by Louie to represent in spite of her having stumbled on some song words during her final audition. Byrn who worked at a branch of Tesco in Ireland has wanted to perform all her life, and certainly has the voice to back it up, but will her age go against her as invariably seems to happen if your over 30 on this show.
John Adeleye: Rounds out the group of over 28 singers, and is perhaps the best of the bunch. An unassuming daycare worker for people with dementia. Adeleye impressed the judges with his unassuming nature. Has a voice that can be potentially joyous, and infectious...
Making up the Boys who this year will be mentored by Dannii Minogue are:
Nicolo Festa: Dannii when choosing Nicolo rightly said that she was taking a gamble. This guy is potentially going to polarize the audition in much the same way as Jedward did in last years show. Only in Nicolo’s case it will not be because he is annoying. It will be more because he comes off as an arrogant know it all who everything is a little bit too much effort for. Truth be told, he has a unique sound, but its not that great of a voice.
Aiden Grimshaw: Aiden did a fairly impressive a cappella rendition of Gold Digger in the early stages of the competition, but in my view hasn’t really shined since. But a good voice and talent isn’t always necessary to win this show as last years winner proved.
Matt Cardle: He doesn’t dance and only seems to sing songs that are written for women. However he potentially has the best voice in the competition. A voice that has a certain vulnerability to it which the women will likely swoon after.
Finally making up the girls will be mentored by Cheryl Cole are:
Cher Lloyd: For me it was always going to be a forgone conclusion that Cheryl would pick Cher Lloyd. From her first audition this 16 - year old won the hearts of all three judges, but specifically won Cheryl over right away with her unique style and singing voice. But may she have peaked to early in the competition. Cher has a very contemporary style and could be the one to beat out of all the contestants, and probably doesn’t really need to win the competition in order to get a recording contract.
Rebecca Fergusan: A mother from Liverpool Rebecca has a very understated voice, which will probably need to be teased out more as the competition develops. She could well find herself as one to watch if cher begins to struggle with some of the more classic songs that they have to sing in the competition.
Katie Waissel: Why on earth this girl has been chosen is somewhat of a joke. Considering that pretty much hasn’t been able to get through a song without arsing it up, but it looks like Cheryl has a soft spot for the Madonna wannabe, who totally pissed me off by f***ing up a Queen song, which should be a crime punishable by death as far as I’m concerned.
