‘The X Factor’ UK rankings: 4th Impact, Che Chesterman, Louisa Johnson lead the pack

Two weeks into “The X Factor” this season, and we’ve started to get a sense of who the real contenders are. For the most part, we’d say that there is one person in huge danger of going home next, a couple of potential “shock boots,” and then some destined to be eliminated in the middle of the road.

Ultimately, there are to us three clear contenders for the title that are head and shoulders above the rest based on this past week’s performances. As always, we’re judging based on quality, screen time, edit, and past voting history.

9. Mason Noise (last week: 11) – Sometimes what should happen on shows like this does not necessarily take place. Seann Miley Moore going home over Mason is one of these such things. While there’s no doubt that Mason is talented, he’s also controversial and many people will never vote for him. We just don’t think he has that high of a ceiling.

8. Max Stone (8) – Max is one of those people who could surprise Britain by making it to the top five or six on the strength of just one breakout vocal, but he needs to have it! We haven’t really gotten that big moment from him yet, and his first two performances were polarizing to the judges.

7. Monica Michael (6) – She’s coming off of a performance that wasn’t really in her vein. We also wonder if she may be a little too edgy perhaps for the average “X Factor” voter. What we’d be marketing towards if we were her at this point are the young women out there who want to be different, strong, and independent.

6. Reggie ‘n Bollie (9) -If you would have told us that these guys would ever be ranked this high on our list, we probably would’ve laughed at you. Yet, they’re fun! They will never be thought of as great singers, but they are guys we want to see perform more every week.

5. Anton Stephans (2) – Anton’s last performance was a dud, but look at it this way: He’ll probably not have a worse one the rest of the season. If he can just deliver consistently stronger and stronger vocals from here, he should have the votes. The fact that he survived proved that.

4. Lauren Murray (7) – Nobody should worry over concerns that Lauren walked out of the mansion this past week to spend time with her family. She’ll be fine, especially since she is coming off of a performance that makes her into more of a contender than ever before.

3. Louisa Johnson (3) – She didn’t have the best performance we’ve ever seen from her this past show, but there’s still no doubt to us that she has a few more weeks to go until she’s in any danger. Her real concern should be going out in around the same spot as Ella Henderson.

2. Che Chesterman (4) – The best vocal performance by Che so far this season lifts him all the way up to this spot. He is an extremely safe bet right now for someone you’ll see in the finale. Just look at the past history for similar singers on this show, and you’ll see that many of them make it here.

1. 4th Impact (1) – Maybe we are over-estimating the group’s strength based on poll results here; we know that they are at least slanted because our poll can be voted on globally, and they’re getting a lot of support from the Philippines. Still, the fact that they’ve received tremendous praise two weeks running, and weren’t in danger even after performing first this past weekend (a tough spot to get votes), says a lot about their chances.

Now, it’s your turn. Vote in the poll below for who you want to see win! Also, click here to get some other TV news and exclusive updates sent right over to you via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: ITV.)