‘The X Factor’ USA review: Did Carly Rose Sonenclar, Emblem3 make finale?
When we wrote about “The X Factor” USA on Wednesday night, we did so thinking that Fifth Harmony’s performance of “Anything Can Happen” was the best thing on the entire season. It was fun, fast-paced, and it showed off a completely different side to the girl group. In other words, it was the sort of growth needed to galvanize their fan base.
When these ladies were the first act sent through to the finale on Thursday’s results show, it was quite possibly the first genuinely surprising moment of any results show this season. The girls were genuinely stunned that they were actually not being forced to sweat out the night, and Simon Cowell genuinely looked like he had just woken up on Christmas morning. As for the look on Britney Spears’ face … priceless. No one does “freaked out” quite like Brit.
For Spears, things quickly went from bad to worse when she found out that Tate Stevens, who could have been in jeopardy given that he was the first singer to go Wednesday, was also put through. This left us with two choices in Emblem3 and Carly Rose Sonenclar, and at this moment we genuinely believed that the longtime favorite this season was going to miss out on the finale. After all, she was started to follow the trajectory of such other “great singers” as Drew Ryniewicz last season: she has performed way too many ballads, and the lack of variety can make viewers bored no matter how good you are.
So who made it through? At the end of the day, we were wrong: Carly Rose did make it through, and Emblem3 was sent home in a somewhat-stunning vote. Simon had clearly invested more time with this trio than anyone all season, and his aggressive promotion of the group may have been what got them in trouble.
What do you think about this elimination, and are you happy that Fifth Harmony stayed around? If you want to check out our full review of all of this week’s performances, you can do so over at the link here.
Photo: Fox
Emma
December 15, 2012 @ 8:52 am
I totally agree about Carly, she’s just magic. If she goes home, it would be one step closer to getting this show cancelled, and she could get helped out by LA or something.
The thing with Britney is that I know she has a personality, based off the interviews before the “meltdown.” That medication she’s on now is making her so aloof. Old Britney would’ve been hilarious on the show. Demi should be fired, too immature and inexperienced.
Jan
December 14, 2012 @ 11:03 am
Emma – Agree with you 100%. XF has been a joke this season for all the reasons you state although I absolutely love Carly and have not been this excited about a new singer in a long time. I am torn between wanting her to win and hoping she gets sent home to get away from this train wreck as soon as possible. You are right about Simon praising acts that he normally would rip to shreds but he wasn’t as bad as Britney.
Emma
December 14, 2012 @ 9:27 am
I think X-Factor this season was one of the biggest all time flops in music television. Thank god LA decided to leave because his credibility is on the line with this circus. The reason why The Voice, X-Factor, and the current American Idol have so much trouble finding genuine talent is because there are TOO MANY shows. Way too many, and its splitting up the talent pool. Also, the judges are too focused on themselves.
I remember watching American Idol from season 1 to Taylor Hicks, but kept up through David Cook’s year and admired Adam Lambert. The original 3 judges of Paula, Randy, and Simon were the perfect combination. These shows don’t need professional singers on the panel, they need actual music producers and people who work behind the scenes.
Simon is too arrogant to see that the over-produced and choreographed productions do not work. The “mentoring” concept was pointless What made early American Idol so great was that everyone could really sing and they didn’t use gimmicks or try to stage anything backstage for the cameras. I liked how they interviewed the contestants to find out stuff about them rather than re-stage their actual lives in the fake way X Factor does.
You have a star when a person can shine without the pyrotechnics. I was watching old videos of Bo Bice and Katharine McPhee… true talent and not much was surrounding them. Simon gave genuine criticisms on American Idol. Now, he’s praising people he would’ve torn to shreds on AI. It’s a joke.
Emblem3 should not sign with Simon’s label if they know what’s good for them. LA should definitely snatch them up.
Spurfect one
December 14, 2012 @ 3:55 am
Emblem 3 should have went home a long time ago. Carly is amazing and she sings with soul thats her style. Trying to change her and making her do uptmpo stuff is stupid because its not her style, its like asking tate to sing rap.
Pippi
December 13, 2012 @ 11:45 pm
I am so bummed fifth harmony is not at good as emblem 3 bad choice america
Maximan
December 13, 2012 @ 11:25 pm
Finally! Emblem 3 is gone. Yippy.