‘The X Factor’ USA review: Did CeCe Frey, Paige Thomas survive again?

“The X Factor” USA has been a show constantly stuffed full of surprises, though not all of them are always of the positive variety. What did we learn this week? Basically, that there is nothing that these singers can do right. If they listen to their mentors too much, they get put into the bottom; if they defy their mentors, they also get put into the bottom.

Let’s start things off with what was to us the craziest event of the night: Paige Thomas was sent home despite giving what was arguably her best performance of the competition the night before. Do people just not like Rick Astley, or was it too little, too late? Just keep in mind that CeCe Frey, Fifth Harmony, and Emblem3 all gave some pretty ho-hum performances, and still somehow managed to avoid being in jeopardy.

With that in mind, let’s get to what was a bit more of a predictable final sing-off.

Diamond White – Great song choice by Diamond. “I Was Here” is such a powerful song, and it helped to win Melissa Rycroft a Mirrorball Trophy on “Dancing with the Stars” earlier this season. She at least kept it together a little bit better than Beatrice Miller last week, but the emotional runneth over yet again, and the vocals were more or less a mess (minus a big note at the end).

Vino Alan – If we base the sing-off based on vocals (which is what we are supposed to do, right?), there is no question here that he was far and away the better singer here. He was controlled, and although “Trouble” was a predictable song for him to take on here, these sing-offs are not really about trying to twist songs on their head.

With all of this being said, the judges for whatever reason decided to yet again keep the Diamond train going … which we’re torn about. If she was three or four years older, she would probably be a pretty great contestant. She’s just not ready yet, and with her inexplicably being saved earlier this season, she’s also had plenty of chances. It didn’t really seem fair to shaft Vino the very first time he was in any sort of danger at all.

With at least one person with the contender label gone, let’s take a look at where the remaining six stand now in the rankings.

6. Diamond White

5. CeCe Frey (it’s still improvement, right?)

4. Fifth Harmony

3. Emblem3 (compete with guy giving a drumroll on his abs)

2. Tate Stevens

1. Carly Rose Sonenclar

Really, it just feels as though everyone is cannon fodder right now for Tate and Carly Rose … Simon even gave Emblem3 the final spot on the show, and they still couldn’t crack the top two.

What do you think about the eliminations, and are you shocked as we are by the acts who are still in the competition? If you want to take a look back at the performances from Wednesday, you can do so here.

Photo: Fox