‘The X Factor’ USA review: Beatrice Miller, CeCe Frey, and a massive rant
“I didn’t sing it to sound good.”
Wait, what? This is what Paige Thomas said in defense of her performance of Britney Spears’ “Everytime” on the show at the start of Thursday night’s “X Factor” USA results show, and things really went downhill from there. If you thought that the sad, dreary feeling from the performance show Wednesday night was going to be lifted early on here, it wasn’t. An incredibly nice gesture designed to give back to a school was tarnished a bit by the product placement for Best Buy, and when the lucky choir from this school came out to perform with the contestants, they were all given the depressing song choice of Coldplay’s “Fix You.”
Then, there was at least a graceful exit courtesy of Arin Ray, who had to see this coming following his awkward and bizarre performance on “Hero” this week. He smiled, he took it well, and then he was gone after the show never managed to figure out what sort of artist he was. Following this we were almost glad to see Cher Lloyd since she sang something positive.
Now, a warning: the following is a rant about Beatrice Miller going home over CeCe Frey. It’s not fair to generalize teenage contestants, but we had this same problem with Rachel Crow’s elimination on the show last year: it’s not fun to watch 13-year olds sob on stage. It’s just not. It’s uncomfortable, and you could see that CeCe felt terrible about the fact that she was even competing against Beatrice to begin with. We usually try to analyze the sing-offs, but there’s nothing fun about watching someone cry their way through a song. This show is just too loud, too brash, and too intimidating for these sort of contestants, and so long as “The X Factor” has them, this show will never be as entertaining as its counterparts. The British version has a higher age limit, and it should be adopted here.
Now that the rant is over and we’ve seen Beatrice leave as a sobbing mess, we now come to ranking the top 8.
8. CeCe Frey (of course)
7. Fifth Harmony (ouch, that low?)
6. Paige Thomas (which she has to be happy with just as an improvement)
5. Diamond White (which seems about right)
4. Emblem3 (the masters of hanging in there)
3. Vino Alan (otherwise known as the man who can’t be moved)
2. Tate Stevens (which is the first change in the rankings for him)
1. Carly Rose Sonenclar
So why the change? It’s simple: Carly had the final spot on last night’s show, while Tate was forced to perform in the less-than-lucrative lead-off spot.
What do you think about the eliminations this week?
tracy
November 30, 2012 @ 2:42 pm
i ment to say ceecee personity is rude not very nice i hope she kick off next week if she dont it fix
tracy
November 30, 2012 @ 2:40 pm
ceecee is not a good singer and her personity is just very nice i think she should of got kick off the frist week when they started voteing off ceecee should of been vote off the frist week
Angela
November 27, 2012 @ 10:47 am
CeeCee suck! That’s the bottom line! She is not unique! She is fake.
CarlyRoseFan
November 26, 2012 @ 11:44 am
. . .the judge’s are good. The show is a good as any other show promoting songs. If it weren’t so, they wouldn’t have such a high rating. Geez…PLEASE STOP IT WITH THIS BEATRICE! That little girl can not sing! Her voice was hoarse, shaky, and she NEVER hit a single high note the entire time she was there. Just because she’s cute doesn’t mean she can sing!! I did not care about her tears AT ALL. I’m sorry. I had to drop a tear every since she made it to the final show over people that were so much better.
CarlyRoseFan
November 26, 2012 @ 11:39 am
Give me a break!! I was very irritated watching Beatrice’s terrible performance week after week. She belongs on a Disney show, not on stage. I don’t believe they should had allowed her to got that far. She does not have a $5mill voice at all, neither does CeCe, but she can definitely hit a note that Beatrice never did attempt. As far as age, the limit is fine. Carly Rose is perfect. I love every performance, and it gets better every week. I will be the first in line to buy this girls album!
Eric
November 26, 2012 @ 10:32 am
“So why the change? It’s simple: Carly had the final spot on last night’s show, while Tate was forced to perform in the less-than-lucrative lead-off spot.”
Sorry but your wrong!!
Explain why Carly’s last performance has 3 million views on youtube, while Tate’s is around 400,000? Because Carly went last ……?
Brad
November 25, 2012 @ 7:17 pm
The whole CeCe sister thing is just one example of oozing insincerity! The sister (may she RIP) died the same year CeCe was born. So how could such a bond have been formed. It was total garbage. Shame on CeCe for using a dead sister to make herself look more human. And shame on her parens for going along with it!
Brad
November 25, 2012 @ 7:13 pm
For some reason the US version of the X Factor just doesn’t work – maybe it doesn’t sit well in American culture. If you have a chance to watch the UK or the Australian version, you would swear it is a completely different show. I agree with the age limit thing- most 13 year olds can come across as mature, until things start going downhill. It was painful to watch last week, and by the by, Beatrice outsang that LIttle MIss Insincerity CeCe, and didn’t really deserve to go.
Obviously the judges, apart from LA and Simon are practically useless, and at least 50 percent of the hosting is bad (although improving), but somehow that is bot it. I think it has something to do with the over the top back stories all of the contestants seem to have. The audience is not dumb enough to believe most of them. Let’s face it, not one of them says they had a happy pre-X Factor Life. It was all tragedy and heartbreat, diseased and living in abject poverty with no one to love them or only one parent. Give me a break, none of them are that good at acting to sell such crap!
RGS
November 25, 2012 @ 9:46 am
I think Beatrice was fantastic, her voice is hauntingly beautiful and she has great talent, she has a beautiful face can dance and does dress like a 13 year old. I like that because she is not trying to be 21. I think Simon had no right to vote on her age factor. He is supposed to have voted on her talent. Simon stop pushing your own wagon and judge the talent. The three 13 year olds had the best voices. Beatrice certainly was badly mentored. She was overwhelmed seeing her sisters and had never had to sing off before. Every performance has been incredible, all the contestants were emotional and I think it was stupid time to have that theme a night before eliminations. I have seen many contestants cry and sob and they have been a lot older than Beatrice. The judges have to take some responsibility, they have told Beatrice how good she was each week and nobody can tell me she was prepared for the playoff and how to deal with. Stop blaming the age limit and lets ask questions about the mentoring on this show. Good luck Beatrice you are brilliant. you are one of a kind. keep going do not give up
nerdychick83
November 24, 2012 @ 6:03 pm
The age limit should stay. If Paige and Cece are allowed to cry (fake or real) tears on a daily basis than the kids should be allowed to as well. Why do we like watch reality shows if america cannot deal with the reality of somebody crying? I would be happy with anybody but Cece winning.
UNKNOWN
November 24, 2012 @ 1:43 pm
Why chang the age limit? The contestants have a choice, if they are not mature enough to sing on the X Factor they would not try out or they would not have made it through auditions. All the contestants are good and that is why they are on the show!
Linda
November 24, 2012 @ 12:23 pm
I like CeCe, and all the hate makes me like her even more. :)
She is not the best singer, no …. not close. Carly is my favorite on the show this year. But CeCe is interesting. She looks like a cross between Lindsey Lohan and that teen bride Courtney Alexis Stodden.
She sings as well as some professional artists do live. With some polishing, she could be really good.
But geez, all the hate on her is just nasty. It’s ok to not like someone’s voice or style of music, but why be so hateful? Did you vote for your favorite(s)? If not, you really can’t complain about anything then… Tsk Tsk.
Anonymous
November 24, 2012 @ 8:00 am
I think CeCe is here to stay. I see her n my TiVo show description each and every week. Weeks ahead of the show. Drama is the draw and CeCe is the drama, if not for her it might be a singing competition.
me
November 24, 2012 @ 1:04 am
Totally agree with every…..But I love carly
merry
November 23, 2012 @ 8:39 pm
whoops one more thing to little Beatrice ,I hope she comes back next year! was so sad for her,but shes a truely talented little girl so chin up little one and best of luck to you ,she wont read this but feels better saying it,
merry
November 23, 2012 @ 8:33 pm
all you guys that say cee cee sucks ROCK what is wrong with Simon i adore him , but I so wish he had deadlocked ,i cee cee was good (and shes not)bitchyness is fine but shes a phony nasty little girl who should be sent home,i hope its soon !really judges please see her for who she really is ,and quit sticking up for her,Id bet anything shes the mean girl bully in school .Wasnt DEMI a victim of this? cant she see who shes suporting??excuse my spelling guys , but please hope with me that this is the last time cee cee is saved!!!!!! FINGERS CROSSED
Music Lover
November 23, 2012 @ 3:35 pm
Also, I wish Demi hadn’t changed her so much. Those leopard spots were fiiiierce gurl!
Music Lover
November 23, 2012 @ 3:32 pm
I just want to know if all of you people hating on CeCe hate all popstars? Catch any Rihanna performances lately? How about the wreckage that is a Katy Perry show? Are you a Britney or Madonna fan because of their stellar vocals? The fact is, the modern pop landscape is full of ladies with decent, unique, yet ultimately not the greatest voices. What they all do have, is an ability to capture us with their showmanship and innovation. This is what CeCe too brought to the competition in the beginning; the sass, the fire, uniqueness, sex appeal, and stellar renditions of I Will Always Love You and I’m Sexy and I Know It to boot. She has more than the good voice you are all so focused on–she has the x factor, which is what the show is about, and what the industry actually requires. I agree her live show performances have not been that great, but her last chance performances have been and with each, she reminds me and the judges why she still belongs here. #teamCeCe
jody jett
November 23, 2012 @ 3:26 am
I wanted to add that I agree that Demi is a terrible judge and Brittney is not much better, but Brittney is famous enough to get away with it. Demi is still only a teenager herself. It just seems wrong to hear her telling grown men that they are boring or not a pop star. Not everybody wants to be a pop star.If this is just a pop star contest then why are there country singers, rap singers, etc. in it at all? Speaking of rap, I loved Lyric 145 and i’m not a hip hop/rap fan. Demi is also disrespectful to Simon….Respect your elders, girl! I’m still upset with her for mocking Jillian Jenson’s laugh and saying it was not believable…what? That sounded like something a bully would say. Diamond is a diamond in the rough. With a little more experince she could be better than Carly. Carly is perfection, but Diamond’s voice is more interesting.
Emma
November 23, 2012 @ 3:18 am
I have to respond to whoever defended Arin Ray. The fact of the matter is that he cannot sing. He was never that good. He’s charismatic, but his voice is so weak.Also, NO 13 year olds should not be on such competitions. They are still so immature and can crumble so easily. I think it borderlines exploition. About CeCe… come on. I thought her confidence was awesome at the auditions and that is why she sang so well early on. She keeps suffering because of her mentor during the live shows. Cece did a fantastic job with Sexy and I Know It. If she does something more acoustic and fun like an indie pop song, and dye her hair back and even bring back her spots, she may redeem herself. However, the bad song choices kill her every week, fire Demi please.
jody jett
November 23, 2012 @ 3:05 am
Beatrice is not mature enough to handle this show. Diamond and Carly are the same age but are more mature emotionally. Of course Carly has been singing professionally for several years and therefore has more experience although Beatrice does have experience as an actress. I love Beatrice’s crackly voice, but sometimes it gets too crackly and her voice has not matured enough yet and still sounds like the little girl she is. She should have waited a few more years.
I’ve got to mention CeCe and how dreadful she is! Can someone who likes her singing please explain why? She is always so off key and the shrillness of it sounds like someone scraping their fingernails against a chalkboard. It literally makes me cring. Sorry to be so mean. I hope she doesn’t see this.
Anonymous
November 23, 2012 @ 12:28 am
Hate cece. She sucks. Like…wind beneath ur what????didn’t even sing it in the same melody. Wtf is wrong with the judges and ppl voting. Stupid. Ready to stop watching it.
Guy
November 23, 2012 @ 12:07 am
CeCe Frye HAS TO GO. She’s a terrible singer, arrogant, phony and totally full of herself. Didn’t at all believe her story about thinking of her sister every day…and thought she was comforting Beatrice tonite only to make herself look like a nice person so as to garner more votes. Bye bye CeCe Frye…the judges may not see thru you, but America does.
Anonymous
November 22, 2012 @ 11:58 pm
Simon should have made it a tie and let the contestant with the lowest votes go home. Beatrice was a wreck the last 2 nights but she had a cold, her earlier performances were awesome. She’s actually the only one in the comp with a unique cool sounding voice, oh maybe Vino does too but his play for the votes last night made me throw up a bit in my mouth. Cece is terrible, so is Page, emblem3 are too Obnoxious, Tate is a fake- no man, even one as boring as him, is as innocent as he pretends, Diamond and 5harm are great, and Carly is amazing. I think they wanted to have all the judges with 2 contestants, that the only reason I can see that they wanted Cece to stay. .
Angela
November 22, 2012 @ 11:50 pm
Ok. I was heartbroken that Beatrice was sent home over CeeCee. Is anybody actually listening? She is HORRIBLE! I cringe every time she sings. The judges said Paige was pitchy, have they actually listened to CeeCee. And clearly I’m not the only one who feels this way. Demi what are you thinking. Hope she won’t be back next year! She keeps saying Vino isn’t a pop star. Guess what honey neither is Tait or Carly but you don’t say that to them.
Honestly tho, I can’t believe they have had 2 opportunities to get rid of CeeCee and haven’t done it yet. Simon, clean out your ears!!!
Jimmyray
November 22, 2012 @ 11:49 pm
SIDE NOTE
Carly is incredible
Jimmyray
November 22, 2012 @ 11:44 pm
I agree this show is tough on the young and unprepared but so is the industry. Moments of pain and disappointment have often been stepping stones to greater success, we don’t like it because WE have to watch it and often share in it. Beatrice Is an incredible artist in the making and I look forward to her in the not so distant future. As for Cece I see a troubled soul who once she can get past her hurts and discovers Who she is she will be able to channel her pain into creativity and will be 10x the artist she is now. But hey who am I?
me
November 22, 2012 @ 11:34 pm
I think that CeeCee is horrible. Surely I am not the only one actually listening. Instead of favoring the contestants because of their poor pitiful little sob stories, how about we, oh I dont know, boot the ones who couldnt carry a bucket with ten hands and wings on the bucket. CeeCee is never in key, she is a complete witch( or has everyone forgotten the start of the season, and she needs to go. Beatrice was emotional but at least she really can sing. I havent heard CeeCee in tune yet. I also agree that Demi needs to go. She doesnt see Vino as a pop star…..he is not a pop star! HE IS A SOUL SINGER! That has nothing to do with pop. The show isnt about POP Stars….it is all music….geesh! Get a clue. The voice is so much better. Those judges are encouraging to the contestants, not hateful and disrespectful and when they choose someone to go home, 9 times out of 10, it is the right choice….not because the other contestants have a cry me a river story….hard times fall on everyone!
Kate
November 22, 2012 @ 11:29 pm
I totally disagree. They shouldn’t change the age difference.
Carly and Diamond have no problem being up there each week.
Britney is the dumbest judge and she screwed Arin Ray over with the song choices. Seriously? Like she gave a black guy a Madonna song
And I think Paige got a bit too emotional
One last thing: Cece deserved to go home, not Beatrice. Although, both did not give a good performance tonight, Beatrice was better vocally. CECE SUCKS and she can’t sing, she can hit the high notes, but she cannot for the life of her carry a tune. I felt like she was screaming “Because of You” and all of her performances are so pitchy. Not to mention that she’s such a fake person. Hunny, your not fooling anyone when you “cry” on stage, it’s all an act. She needs to go next week. There’s obviously a reason as to why she’s been in the bottom two during every single live show
Spurfect one
November 22, 2012 @ 11:16 pm
I disagree completley. The age limit should stay the same as The rest of the world who are not familier to broadway get to see amazing 13 year olds like Carly. IMO the teens have gave the best performances throughout this years show. Beatrice must have known how the show works and it has given her soo much good publicity that she when she gets over being upset she will realize this. It might be an intimidating atmosphere, but it shows them what the music industry is about, your going to get knockbacks.
Carol
November 22, 2012 @ 11:14 pm
Please get rid of Cee Cee Frey, each week she get’s worst.It’s time for her to bow out!
Emma
November 22, 2012 @ 9:25 pm
You are absolutely right. The age limit is way too low. 13 year olds cannot and should not deal with such pressure. However, Carly, who we know has been on Broadway has no issue with that since the training is top notch.
I am sick of Paige Thomas. She’s only a pretty girl and that’s all that she has going for her. She cannot sing. She is constantly overpraised by the judges week after week.
This show needs to revamp the grouping. We shouldn’t have all these teenagers on the show. I also think they should get rid of the Over 25s. It feels like a death sentence, like we’re calling them old rusty things.
And Demi Lovato needs to be fired. She’s the worst judge/mentor in the history of reality television. Awful. She has no expertise, experience, or respect of the industry to be sitting on a judge’s panel when her own career has reached nowhere near the top.