Hey there, Hit Zone readers! I’m Gigi here to give you the need-to-know on season three of the X Factor. Wednesday’s episode showed auditions from Los Angeles. Paulina Rubino was not in attendance because she had a concert that day. So with only three judges…we start the auditions.
Up first was sister duo Shirley and Cynthia. They auditioned with the Jackson 5 classic “I Want You Back,” and as a HUGE MJ/Jackson 5 fan I was immediately skeptical…and with good reason. It was the worst version of the song I have ever heard in my life. If you’d like, here it is:
Up first was sister duo Shirley and Cynthia. They auditioned with the Jackson 5 classic “I Want You Back,” and as a HUGE MJ/Jackson 5 fan I was immediately skeptical…and with good reason. It was the worst version of the song I have ever heard in my life. If you’d like, here it is:
Adorable ninth-grader Josh Levi did what I thought no one could do-he made me like Selena Gomez’s “Come and Get It.’ His stage presence and vocals have him lined up to be a top contender…at only fourteen! This kid is definitely on my “Who To Watch” list. Check out his acoustic version of the song below
After a series of “old fashioned” auditions, AKNU (A Kind Never Understood), a group of brothers, took the stage and knocked the socks off of the judges, the audience, and I’m wiling to bet every single person watching the X Factor tonight. Their Motown inspired performance of “Valerie” was definitely not one to be missed. Definitely one of my favorites not just this season, but probably in all X Factor history. Here it is for your enjoyment…and mine!
The auditions continued, now set in Charleston, North Carolina. Paulina was back so everything was back in full swing. NC started off with country sweetheart Brandie Love. Her audition was very soulful and dare I say it…”Love”-ly (yeah…I’m THAT corny ladies and gentlemen.). She stole the hearts of all four judges and advanced to the next round. Here’s her wonderful audition:
In the montage of great auditions, there was Millie Thrasher, who gave a beautiful performance of “Wide Awake” by Katy Perry, Timmy Thames, a baby-faced thirteen year old who auditioned with Ed Sheeran’s “Lego House,” Yellow House Canyon did a riveting cover of “”, and three unnamed acts who also advanced past the auditions.
In Long Island, Vincent Crisostomo thinks he’s already famous. Note the word thinks. He sang (for lack of a better word to describe what he was doing) LeAnn Rimes’ “How Do I Live Without You.” His entourage encouraged him to audition, and no one could understand why, because he was just not good.
Sixteen year old Carlos Guevera would not let his struggles with turrets and OCD get him down. With supportive family and friends backstage cheering him on, he gave an emotional and beautiful performance of John Mayer’s “Gravity.” Here it is:
Down south in New Orleans, Chloe J & CJ auditioned for the X Factor with “River Deep mountain High” by Tina Turner. They were fun to watch, but they just couldn’t sing. They did, however, manage to get one yes-from the most unlikely judge for the most unlikely of reasons.
Malie Delgado took a Kelly Clarkson classic and made it her own. Her trip all the way from Alaska was worth it because she received yeses from all four judges. After Malie there were four quick unnamed yeses given.
When people audition for the X Factor, it isn’t uncommon to bring a few people for support. But college student/lifeguard Colton Pack took that beyond expectation and brought his ENTIRE town (seriously, all 207 residents) to his audition. With all of that pressure, I was hoping he’d do well…I would have hated to see him fail in front of his whole town. Lucky for me, and more so Colton, he was a hit among all four judges with his cover of Jason Aldean’s “Hic Town.”
Returning to Los Angeles, and Simon running late it’s up to Demi, Paulina and Kelly to hold down the fort. This round of auditions started off with Danie Greimer, a fifteen year old powerhouse. She blew the top off of the stadium with her rendition of “The House of the Rising Sun.”
Denver, CO auditions up next, we meet a familiar face for the final audition of the night. Jeff Gutt returned to the X Factor stage for a second chance at the X Factor crown. His first song choice (“Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith) was not the best to showcase his vocal ability, however, when asked if he prepared a second song, his talent shone through. His version of Radiohead’s “Creep” salvaged his chances of advancing. His entire audition is below.