Tag: The X Factor

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mahogany Out of X Factor Race

After sitting through another excruciating X Factor elimination show I’m starting to rejoice that the season is winding down. This time around I didn’t even have the contestants singing for their lives to keep me entertained, just a couple of performances from guest artists that I didn’t really care about. Clearly the nation disagrees with me as Ke$ha charts like crazy, but I felt bored.

I was surprised to see Andrew Lawson named as the first person through to the grand final, but he’s been the Teflon kid all year so I probably shouldn’t have been. Altiyan’s reprieve was expected and well deserved, but sadly it left Sally and Mahogany awaiting the axe.

I had a feeling that Mahogany would get the boot after so many bottom two finishes, and sadly I was right. It’s hard to see anyone go at this point, but I really felt they were the stand-out last night, and on so many nights before. Hopefully we see these girls doing something outside this reality TV machine; they’re far too talented for us to never hear from them again!

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: (L-R) The cast of 'The X Factor' Guy Sebastian, Natalie Imbruglia, Ronan Keating and Kyle Sandilands pose during a media call on July 30, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mike Flokis/Getty Images)

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The X Factor Contestants Take on Chart Topppers

Tonight The X Factor finalists looked set to show some star quality with the theme of “chart toppers.” I must admit, I was a little nervous about this theme as so often my favourite tunes never win any popularity polls. However with Robin Gibb acting as guest mentor I hoped our final four could pull something worth watching out of the bag.

Andrew Lawson made all of my fears come true with his rendition of “Uptown Girl.” I love the Billy Joel version, but this felt more like that lacklustre Westlife take, with an added dose of awkward. It was totally cheesy and there was a real lack of dynamics or connection. You just can’t count on the dancers to win it for you.

I was pretty thrilled to see Mahogany was taking on one of my favourite guilty pleasures, Bryan Adam’s “Heaven.” Throw in a key change, those magnificent harmonies, and a stripped back performance free of those distracting dancers and pyrotechnics and you’ve got something magical. This is a classic example of the old adage “less is more.”

Sally Chatfield gave another strong performance this week with Pink’s “Just Like a Pill.” Vocally I can’t fault her but I’m starting to feel a gloss that undermines the connection to the songs. I couldn’t help casting my mind back to Nathan from Australian Idol a few years ago, the way he delivered it with such rawness and intensity. While she was high fiving the audience and fist pumping that message, that truth about the song was just a bit lost.

After lamenting the lack of connection shown by other acts, Altiyan Childs delivered what I was after. “The Living Years” is one of those songs I have a deep personal connection to. I was released just after my grandfather’s death, and it really painted the picture of the relationship he had with my own dad. I wasn’t sure he could do it justice considering all of the meaning I have invested in it, but he did. Altiyan is starting to become the heart of the show, and honestly I think that’s more important than a pretty voice.
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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Luke and Joel Booted from The X Factor

I said that after a fairly uneven night of X Factor, I wasn’t really sure where the axe was going to fall. But I didn’t expect to see Luke and Joel and Mahogany in the firing line.

It must have been a hard night for Guy Sebastian, who forced the judging to a public vote rather than eliminate one of his own. As it turns out it wouldn’t have mattered; Luke and Joel were gone whichever way we cut it.

I’m sorry to see these two go. I was incredibly skeptical when they made it to the finals, but they’ve won me over with their sunny personalities, exceptional ability to interpret a song, and real musical flair. I hope we see a lot more of these boys on the outside.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: (L-R) The cast of 'The X Factor' Natalie Imbruglia, Ronan Keating, Kyle Sandilands and Guy Sebastian pose during a media call on July 30, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mike Flokis/Getty Images)
Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The X Factor Celebrates Oz

With ARIAs fever in the air, our X Factor finalists took on Aussie hits.

Luke and Joel kicked things off with The Living End’s “White Noise.” It was a smart choice as The Living End have always been more about the energy than the technical skills. This is where these boys excel. They didn’t blow me away as they did last week, but that landed them in the bottom two; maybe it’s better to be solid at this point.

When I heard Sally Chatfield was taking on The Veronicas, I’d hoped she’d do “Everything I’m Not.” But I don’t know; there were some really nice moments but it just didn’t quite jump off the page for me. I loved the way she asserted herself, and that lovely spontaneous moment with the guitarist, but I’m just not sure she gave us all of herself. They seemed to lap it up in the studio, but I just wasn’t feeling it at home.

Andrew Lawson dished up a bit of Sam Sparro’s “Black and Gold.” This was so theatrical and over the top. The song choice was lovely and his vocals were brilliant, but for me it was just too glossy to take seriously. I think if it was stripped back this would have been much more convincing. I’ve often felt that The X Factor goes overboard on the production, and this is a prime example.

I never would have thought of picking a bit of Daryl Braithwaite for Mahogany, but I thought their version of “The Horses” was brilliant. Well done to Guy for remembering that Australian music didn’t start with the naughties. This was the most believable performance of the night. I can’t imagine Mahogany being in the bottom two after this.

Altiyan Childs closed the night with a really lovely version of “Never Tear Us Apart.” It was all those things I’ve been banging on about, being believable and authentic and stripping it all back to the root of the song. He’s definitely coming into his own, and it’s a beautiful thing to see.

After a fairly uneven night it’s hard to say who will go. I know who my favourites were, but we’ve all got to factor in that sympathy element. We’ll find out tomorrow night where the axe will fall.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Hayley Teal Gets X Factor Boot

I was shocked to see tonight’s X Factor elimination show come down to Hayley Teal and Luke and Joel. Hayley wasn’t a great surprise after turning in a lacklustre performance of a middle-of-the-road song, but I thought Luke and Joel were last night’s stand out.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 22: Sally Ann Chatfield,India Rose Madderson and Hayley Teal from the X factor arrive at the 'Snaparazzi Soiree' at Riva St Kilda on October 22, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Lucas Dawson/Getty Images)


I really didn’t want to see either of them go; Luke and Joel have been growing on me, and Hayley has always been one of my favourites. But ultimately someone had to leave us, and that someone was Hayley.

I truly feel Hayley was a victim of Natalie’s mentorship, which is sad. Her most disappointing performances came when she was forced into unnatural choreography with mainstream pop songs containing artificial lyrics. When she had something great, she shone. I hope we see her finding some of those great songs now that she’s out of the reality TV show machine.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The X Factor Gets Set for Summer

This week The X Factor finalists gave us a bit of summer loving with feel-good summer hits.

Altiyan Childs kicked things off with a little Bryan Adams and “Summer of ’69.” What a way to start a show. He is a real rock star, and he’s just looking better and better each week. This was a bit more restrained than we’ve seen him, and it only showed that he doesn’t need the gimmicks to impress.

From the high of Altiyan to the low of Hayley Teal’s take on “California Gurls.” I feel like Natalie keeps pushing her into this generic pop mode, with choreography and middle of the road songs that just doesn’t work for her. She seemed so much more comfortable when she was taking on Led Zeppelin a couple of weeks back. There was no connection at all, which really isn’t her fault. I really hope that Natalie starts to give her some meatier material to sink her chops into; this just isn’t the Hayley I fell in love with.

Andrew Lawson gave us a cruisy take on Maroon 5’s “Sunday Morning.” I really liked the arrangement, and couldn’t fault the vocals. However I still feel there’s a veneer about him. It’s all a bit saccharine, as if he’s delivering what he thinks us girls want rather than what he actually is. It just doesn’t quite ring true for me.

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

India-Rose Cut From “The X Factor”

After the excitement of last night’s movie theme, The X Factor contestants were promptly brought back to reality with the cold hard knowledge that someone had to go.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 08: X Factor host Natalie Imbruglia (C) and contestants Hayley Teal, India-Rose Madderom and Sally Chatfield arrive for the Australian Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2010 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on October 8, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)


India-Rose Madderom and Mahogany found themselves in the firing line this time around. I couldn’t imagine India-Rose being forgiven after two weeks in the bottom two. While she always gives a good vocal, clearly there’s something about her that’s not resonating with the public.

The judges agreed, and after three weeks in the bottom two the axe finally fell on India-Rose. Did the judges get it right?

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The X Factor Goes To the Movies

Tonight The X Factor contestants were taking on one of my favourite themes: songs from the movies. I found myself wishing for some of the classic 80s films tunes I grew up with, but did the singers deliver? Let’s find out!

India-Rose Madderom started the night off as I’d hoped with “Fame,” sort of. She sang it really well, but it missed the bounce and lightness of the original. It just felt a bit laboured for me. The dancers were giving it their everything, but she just didn’t match their enthusiasm. I was surprised when I heard she was singing this, and after hearing her version I wish it was given to someone else.

I really hoped Andrew Lawson would get “Danke Schoen” from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, so I was disappointed from the get go. When I heard that he was doing “Love Is All Around,” I expected it to be insincere and twee. It was. I’m sure his female fans at home probably got something out of it, but to me it felt staged and artificial. The judges seemed to love it though; am I missing something?

Sally Chatfield brought things back on track with her rendition of “All By Myself.” It’s such a big song, and I feel she’s perhaps the only one in the competition up to the challenge. Vocally I couldn’t fault her. If I had to be picky, I’d wish for just a little more connection to the lyrics, but really, this was a hard performance to find fault with.
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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mitchell Smith Exits The X Factor

Tonight I finally got my wish as Mitchell Smith departed The X Factor. That sounds kind of mean, but honestly I felt that under the guidance of Kyle Sandilands, Mitchell was as good as he was going to get. Kyle still didn’t seem to appreciate the kind of artist Mitchell really was, so we were never going to see him improve.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Kyle Sandilands appears on the 2Day FM Kyle and Jackie O Breakfast show at World Square on September 24, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Gaye Gerard/Getty Images)


Having said that, I think Natalie needs to work fast to help India-Rose Madderom cut through. She seems like a lovely girl with a lovely voice, but there’s just something about her that isn’t really resonating. It’s all just a bit bland.

Next week the finalists will be tackling the brilliant theme of “Songs from the Movies.” Let’s just hope they can live up to it!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The X Factor Rocks

This week The X Factor contestants came ready to rock. But did they succeed?

Sally Chatfield started the show with a bang with Paramore’s “Decode.” I agree with Ronan that it was a bit safe, but when she delivers it’s hard to be too critical. I thought she definitely brought her own flavour to it and sounded brilliant.

I was so inspired and hopeful while watching Mitchell Smith’s package, listening to him speak about how he’d gone walkabout and was coming back to the music he loved. But his performance of “Jessie’s Girl” let me down all over again. I am the biggest 80s loving Rick Springfield fan, but this just wasn’t the song for him. I can enjoy anyone doing this song, but it also felt cheesy and a bit artificial. It was just okay for me, and any points I gave it are mostly because I love the song.

Hayley Teal brought things back with Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.” She’s such a sexy girl, but I felt like this is the first time we’ve had a performance to match that sex appeal. It was smouldering and natural and just sublime. She might have always envisioned herself as the soul girl, but I think there’s a rock chick begging to be explored.
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