Tonight’s first X Factor elimination saw Cleo Howman and Jacqui Newland battling it out, just as I predicted. To their credit the girls showed us just how different they are, with Cleo taking on Adele’s breakthrough hit “Chasing Pavements” and Jacqui returning to her rock roots with The Gossip’s “Heavy Cross.”
Both girls performed well, but for me Jacqui had the edge. There’s no one else quite like her in the competition right now, whereas while she’s got a beautiful voice I feel like I’ve seen musicians like Cleo before.
It seemed the judges agreed with me, because three to one they sent Ms Howman packing. Nat was always going to back her girl, but the remaining judges were all on Jacqui’s side. It’s sad in a way, because I don’t think she was the weakest performer last night or in the competition, but there’s always an element of popularity in these things.
Next week we get Party Songs, which I’m hoping sees a celebration of retro music rather than more of the naughties-centered music we saw this week!