Tag: The X Factor

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Amanda Grafanakis Gets X Factor Axe

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: Cast member of 'The X Factor' Ronan Keating poses during a media call on July 30, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mike Flokis/Getty Images)

Tonight’s X Factor saw India-Rose Madderom and Amanda Grafanakis face off in the bottom two. And Mitchell Smith again miraculously escape the public vote, but the less said about that the better.

I felt that India’s performance on the Sunday show was much stronger, but her lackluster rendition of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” left much to be desired. Amanda may never compare to the great Bette Midler, but she did a really credible job of her iconic ballad “Wind Beneath My Wings.”

It seems her efforts weren’t enough though, and Amanda got the boot. Poor Ronan’s hanging on to this competition by a thread. Surely pinning all of your hopes on Altiyan is a scary proposition!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The X Factor Top 9 Do Party Anthems

I’m back home and back to The X Factor blogging with the Top 9 taking on party anthems.

India Rose Madderom kicked off the night with “Jai Ho.” It was a left of centre song choice, but I think the risk paid off. This is a tough song to sing, but she nailed it. The choreography was also great; it created a real sense of occasion without compromising her vocals. And she looked stunning. What a great start to the night!

My love of The Eagles might be swaying my opinion of Andrew Lawson’s performance of “Heartache Tonight,” but I didn’t like this. It felt a bit cheesy and contrived, like a Broadway number from a musical flop. He did look a lot more comfortable on stage than he has in the past, but I also felt that he didn’t really connect with the lyrics or song. It’s about more than performance after all. Maybe he can put it all together next week?

Amanda Grafanakis took on The Black Eyed Peas “I’ve Got a Feeling,” and delivered a fairly lackluster performance. I just didn’t feel it. She sang it well, except for a few shaky high notes, but there wasn’t enough conviction behind it. I also found all of the background movement a bit distracting, especially those flipping shirtless men!

Luke and Joel got the party started with Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” For me this was the best performance to that point, simply because it was so much fun. Yes it had vocal flaws, but it was so enjoyable that it just didn’t matter. There was not a person in their seats while they were on stage, and that’s a party.
Continue reading “The X Factor Top 9 Do Party Anthems” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

James McNally Leaves “The X Factor”

It was a sad X Factor night for me as my favourite in the competition, James McNally, left us.

Honestly, neither Amanda nor James deserved to be in the bottom two. Andrew, Mitchell, and Altiyan certainly turned in bottom two worthy performances, but this is the problem with relying on a public vote.

Both singers gave incredible performances when singing for their life. The judges couldn’t decide, so the public did sending James home. And put simply, the competition will be poorer for it.

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 Contestants Take On Their Idols

Tonight The X Factor contestants showed a bit more of their personalities, with a show dedicated to their own musical idols.

Sally Chatfield gave us a little Evanescence with “Bring Me To Life.” I thought it was the perfect song choice for her, showing us that she could do more than the big tearjerker ballads. I loved seeing her rock out, and watching her vocal technique getting stronger under Natalie’s guidance. What a great way to start the show.

I’ve got to respect Altiyan Childs taking a risk and singing Prince’s “Kiss.” But that man does not have the falsetto to pull it off. He might have performed the hell out of it, but it was laughable. I guess at least it was entertaining though! Entertaining, but terrible.

I’ve got to say, I thought it was pretty pathetic to see Justin Bieber on Mitchell Smith’s list of heroes. I know he’s a young kid, but really? I didn’t think I’d feel that Justin Bieber could outsing anyone, but he outsings Mitchell. And out-energises him. This was flat and absolutely terrible. He made Altiyan look good.

Listening to everyone talk before Mahogany took the stage, you’d think that “Lady Marmalade” didn’t exist before Moulin Rouge. I was actually a bit disappointed to see them go that super sexy route, but I think they definitely brought everything they needed to the table. I found all the choreography a bit distracting and over the top, but I certainly couldn’t fault the girls here.
Continue reading “The X Factor Contestants Take On Their Idols” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chris Doe Doesn’t Have the X Factor

The axe fell for the first time on The X Factor tonight, with Chris Doe being eliminated after the public vote.

It was a close one, with Luke and Joel and Chris splitting the judges’ votes, leaving it to the viewers at home to make the final verdict. I was in two minds about the verdict. I didn’t mind what Chris did last night, and certainly thought he outsang Luke and Joel on the night. However when it came to the crunch tonight I think Luke and Joel outperformed Chris tonight. I don’t predict they’ll be with us too long, but they certainly earned their place after their performance of “Fix You.”

I must say, I really like that when singing for their lives the contestants can choose to sing something other than the song that landed them in the bottom two. If Australian Idol ever comes back to our screens, let’s hope they adopt this format!

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 Live Shows Are Underway!

I was a bit critical of The X Factor due to some questionable judging choices last week, but I approached tonight’s first live show with an open mind. Here’s how it all went down.

Luke and Joel kicked the night off with Good Charlotte’s “Lifestyles of the Rich and the Famous.” I thought Guy had picked a smart song; it’s not a track that really challenges the vocals and it does allow natural charisma to shine through. I still stand by my views though that these guys aren’t top 12 material. All the personality in the world can’t make up for an inability to sing.

I always felt Hayley Teal was one of the biggest contenders in the competition, but I was in two minds after the performance tonight. It all started for me when Nat dyed her hair brown. It continued with the slick, choreographed performance of “Bust Your Windows.” She nailed it vocally, but I just worry that we’re losing Hayley in the process. I loved her edges, and I’m a bit disappointed that she’s been polished up. I guess we’ll see what happens next week.

I was a bit skeptical when I heard Kyle had picked Kelly Clarkson’s “Already Gone” for Chris Doe, but I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn’t flawless by any means, but for the first time tonight I felt the heart. This was the connection I’ve been craving all night. There’s definitely some potential there, and I ‘m looking forward to seeing him grow in this competition.

Amanda Grafanakis was up next with Ne-Yo’s “Closer.” I think this was probably the most well rounded performance to that point. The vocals were on point and she performed it really well. I still didn’t feel my socks blown off, but I really couldn’t fault her on anything. If she’s this good in week one, I can’t wait to see how she develops.

Kharizma really impressed me with “Empire State of Mind.” There was that elusive connection that I’ve felt lacking in so many of the performances tonight. They definitely sold the story of the song. For the first time I felt that they stepped up rather than living in Mahogany’s shadow.

Continue reading “The X Factor Live Shows Are Underway!” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“The X Factor” Wash Up

I was waiting until the live shows to write about The X Factor, but after spending last night screaming at my television I figured I’d fast track some posting.

The X Factor has had its critics, especially those who applauded the “resting” of Australian Idol, but I was thrilled to see another musical talent show on Aussie television. I’d watched all the auditions and picked my favourites, and was really enjoying the process. At least I was until last night, when it seemed that the best performers wouldn’t make it to the live shows after all.

With the exception of Natalie Imbruglia, every judge had a few dog acts. I just didn’t expect them to make the final cut.

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)


My first disappointment came when Guy Sebastian cut Jahmaking it Funky, a band that hadn’t put a foot wrong in the competition thus far. Criticising them for sticking to reggae seems a bit hypocritical to me when bands like Mahogany and Kharizma are sticking to R ‘n’ B. But there were more shocks to come when Guy opted to put Luke and Joel into the finals over Lazy J and Big Guy. I wanted to get behind Luke and Joel as a fellow Novacastrian, but they just haven’t delivered. Lazy J and Big Guy had their flaws too, but at least they showed some originality. As far as I can see it, Guy has one serious contender in Mahogany. Kharizma aren’t bad, but everything they can do Mahogany simply do better.

There were more shocks to come when Ronan Keating decided to give Altiyan Childs yet another chance. I just don’t get it. He hasn’t remembered the lyrics once, and even when he does perform he seems like a bit of a poser. I couldn’t believe he made it through the auditions, so I’m shocked to see him get to the main event. Something tells me he’s going to go pretty early.

But my biggest shocks came when Kyle did the culling. I don’t claim to know everything there is to know about music, but I know what I like. And what I liked was Darcy, TJ, and George. Three of my favourite competitors, now all gone. Kyle has a snowball’s chance in hell of winning this thing.

Which left Natalie, who couldn’t put a foot wrong because her group was so strong. Still, I was thrilled to see her put through the stand-outs, Sarah and Hayley. Any one of the other girls could have easily got that third place, so I’m happy there.

I was excited about The X Factor, but after last night’s show I’m feeling deflated. We were meant to be looking for performers with something special, and there seems to be only a handful left that fit the bill. What do you think of the judges’ decisions?