The X Factor 2016 live shows continued this evening on ITV and the remaining contestants fought for their place to remain on the show. The mentors, Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh will lead their acts through the competition until one is crowned winner of The X Factor 2016.
Freddy Parker
The song: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Our verdict: After last week’s comments Freddy had to prove that he still belonged in the competition. I thought the song suited Freddy and his upbeat performance was a hit.
The comments: Louis liked it but didn’t love it and thought it wasn’t the right song for him. Sharon thought the song was too little for him and thought it was fabulous. Simon said it was erratic but it was a million times better than last week.
Emily Middlemas
The song:Â Stop In the Name of Love
Our verdict: Emily’s performance came as a surprise and the singer showed her versatility by opting for a slow song this week. I also loved the arrangement of the song and thought it suited her like a glove. It was a great performance.
The comments: Louis said that she made the song her own. Sharon said it was beautiful and that she loved it. Nicole was happy to see to old Emily back and said that she wanted to hear more of her range.
Matt Terry
The song:Â I Heard it Through the Grapevine
Our verdict: Matt’s vocals were off the charts tonight. He really showed off his range and I thought the song arrangement wasn’t great and didn’t fall in love with it. The best thing about the performance was definitely Matt Terry’s vocals.
The comments: Louis said it was a world class performance and that he had soul. Sharon was scared for all the contestants on the show and Simon said that he had ‘poped’ and that the vocals were better this week. Mentor Nicole thought he was born to be on the stage.
Relley C
The song: Ain’t No Sunshine
Our verdict: Relley C was one of my favourite performers last week so I was looking forward to hearing her again. She didn’t disappoint and looked like a million dollars on stage. The song was a good match to her vocal range and she looked like she enjoyed performing it. I didn’t think her performance was as passionate as last weeks but she did a great job.
The comments: Louis commented that she looked like a young Diana Ross. Nicole said that she was happy to see her back and that she was mesmerised by her performance. Simon said that her confidence and control was devastatingly good. Mentor Sharon said she was better than Ross and that she was only beginning to blossom.
Samantha Lavery
The song:Â Hello
Our verdict: Giving an emotional performance was Samantha Lavery. Her husky voice I thought added a beautiful layer to the song. Samantha’s vocals grew with the song, which sounded great. The performance itself was a bit boring to begin with but picked up to a big finish.
The comments: Louis thought that she had great stage presence, Sharon said that she had great balls in her voice and loved the version of the song. Nicole said she loved her and that she chose that song well. Mentor Simon said she had a great voice and had to discover who she was as an artist.
5 After Midnight
The song: Get Ready/Reach Out I’ll Be There
Our verdict: Motown week fitted 5 After Midnight like a glove. The band looked amazing on stage and so at home. I thought the song choices were great and I loved this week’s performance even more than last weeks. Definitely one of the best of the night.
The comments: Sharon thought they were sensational, Nicole said this would be their career from now on and loved them. Simon said he didn’t want it to end and loved the whole thing and congratulated Louis. Mentor Louis added that they had everything.
Ryan Lawrie
The song:Â Superstition
Our verdict: Ryan came on stage with a brand new look, which I am still not sure about. Vocally I thought he did a good job and the song was suited to his voice. I did think that perhaps the song was a bit safe and the arrangement wasn’t very different to the original. I was bored by the end of it.
The comments: Sharon thought it was a great song choice and that the modern take on the performance was good. Simon thought it was old fashioned and didn’t like it. He thought the song was a mistake. Mentor Nicole disagreed and said that he sounded amazing.
Honey G
The song:Â Mo Money Mo Problems
Our verdict: Honey G has been very present in the news and not always for the right reasons. I thought this weeks performance was a rehash of last weeks in many ways but there were some fun bits. It wasn’t good enough for me.
The comments: Louis loved the performance, Nicole seemed confused by the performance and wasn’t convinced. Simon said that she was his new guilty pleasure. Sharon sang her praises and loved that she wrote her own rap.
Gifty Louise
The song: Rockin’ Robin
Our verdict: Gifty’s make over I thought really suited her and the song, Rockin’ Robin was a good match to her vocal range. I thought she sounded good but her version of the song just reminded me of how good the original was.
The comments: Louis said that Gifty was on fire and that she had star quality. Sharon thought it was a great song choice and that she was the gift. Nicole added that she ‘slayed’ it. Simon said it was fun and her voice was amazing.
Saara Aalto
The song:Â River Deep, Mountain High
Our verdict: Saara was back this week after facing the bottom two last week. She hoped to win over the public with a steamy performance of River Deep, Mountain High. Saara belted the highest notes out like it was the easiest thing in the world. I thought it was one of her best performances on the show so far and that she really represented the theme of Motown.
The comments: Louis said that she shouldn’t have been in the bottom two last week but that she wasn’t wanted. Nicole thought she was hot and ‘smacked it around the banana’. Simon thought that she showed that she was fun and that she had a fantastic voice. Mentor Sharon said she made her speechless.
Four of Diamonds
The song: You Keep Me Hangin’ On
Our verdict: Four of Diamonds replaced The Brooks on the competition and performed for the first time on the live shows. The song suited the girls harmonies perfectly. I thought that they looked and sounded great and was glad to see them back on the show.
The comments: Sharon said she was happy to see the girls again and Nicole said they they were her favourite girl group vocally. Simon added that they had great potential and should have been put through to the live shows straight way. Louis as their mentor also commented that he loved them because they like each other.
The X Factor 2016 will reveal who has been voted off the competition tomorrow night on ITV.Â
