‘The X Factor’ UK review: Meet Paul Akister, Charlie Brown, Lola Saunders, and Charlie Martinez
The third “X Factor” UK audition show aired on ITV Saturday, and there was some genuine talent in here! We may actually say that this is the best overall crop that we’ve seen so much all season, even if the majority of these people are probably not destined to be huge pop stars … but sometimes, that is okay.
As we have done all season, we’re going to ignore most of the rubbish and focus on the people who legitimately have talent. There is an entertainment factor in the bad acts, but let’s face it: You’ve probably forgotten most of them already by the time you’re reading this.
Ten Senah – Literally the only person near the start of the show who was any good. She had an original song, and despite the big risk, she certainly received a high reward in the end.
Maria Ellinas – Yes, she cannot pronounce certain words correctly, but she does have a decent voice. We’re glad she did manage to go through, since we probably would’ve felt bad for her otherwise.
Charlie Martinez – It’s the rare American on the British version of the show! He also legitimately sounds like Enrique Iglesias.
Charlie Brown – Seriously, that is the guy’s name. We wish he got more of an actual audition here, since we were emotionally affected by him more than 95% of the rest of the contestants tonight.
Ben Haenow – Hey now! Ben is something special. He’s got a killer voice, and you can see the potential here. He just has to work a little on the presentation, and the way that he moves and carries his body on the stage.
Jake Sims – Not a great singer, but not a terrible one, either. He just feels a little too much like modern Justin Bieber, and probably not in a good way.
The Brooks – It’s like a two-person choir! We understand why they’re going through, since they’re cute kids that the teenage girl crowd will probably like. With that being said, they’re not going anywhere.
Monica Michael – She looks a little like Tulisa, has earrings that are literally as big as her head, and has a voice that was a little too drowned out by her backing music. Not a great original song.
Jack Walton – Interesting choice in mustache. But for 17 years old, he feels very mature and didn’t even bring his family to audition. There is a natural talent to him, and he could go very far with it.
James Graham, Casey Johnson, and Bre Musiq – None of these guys got enough screen time for us to get a great impression.
Paul Akister – Wow! What an improvement over last year! He’s lost a good bit of weight, gained some confidence, and picked a great song here in “Jealous Guy” that we rarely hear on these shows other than Casey James on “American Idol.” We do get what Louis Walsh was trying to say here: It was great that he turned him away last year, since he’s come back so much stronger now.
Lola Saunders – A serious contender. The fishmonger closed the night, and she has the best shot of anyone left to be a real pop star by the end of this.
Who was your favorite from this audition show? Share your thoughts right now with a comment, and head over here to get some further TV news worth singing about right now via our CarterMatt Newsletter.
Photo: ITV