ONLY two performances stood between the remaining four acts and place in X-Factor’s biggest final yet at Wembley Arena. With only the public getting the say last week, it was going to be a tense weekend for the semi-finalists, as they sang their hearts out to convince that they should be on the big stage infront of thousands of people.
In this year’s semi-final, each act performed a Motown classic and a song that they believed would be enough to see them get to the final.
Misha B – A true survivor
On the public vote alone, Misha has been very lucky to still be in the competition. No act has ever reached the semi-final through three Final Showdown wins during their time. What can’t be mistaken though is that Misha is the real deal, the voice, the personality, you name it. Her motown song ‘Dancing In The Street’ had everything about her talent crammed into it and her second performance, ‘Perfect,’ showed off why many have rated her as having the best voice in the competition. Having had to sing for survival three times, the chances of her winning the competition, as mentioned by Gary Barlow, were slim to nil. However, she has been a true survivor and in these shows, anything is possible.
Amelia Lily – The real comeback girl
 |
| COMEBACK: Amelia has become a serious threat in the latter stages |
Three weeks ago, Amelia Lily was at home in Middlesbrough, perhaps reflecting on her shattered dreams of being a superstar. Then when a certain karaoke act from Brighton got kicked off for breaking a ‘golden rule,’ the public seized their opportunity and gave her a second chance. She has taken that lifeline and changed the course of the competition. Her performances of ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ and ‘I’m With You’ once again showcased Amelia at the highest level possible. The chances of Amelia being here on this night were never imagined early on, let alone the final and her return to the competition have resulted in the others having to work harder and prove that they should be ahead of her.
Little Mix – Truly living their dream
When the live shows began, Little Mix were the odds-on favourites for the chop. Now, having broken the girl group jinx, they are the first girl group to reach the semi-finals. A sudden surge of popularity has put them as bookmaker’s favourites to win outright so for the girls, it was a case of no pressure on the night. Unfortunately, the pressure did get to them and their first song, ‘You Keep Me Hanging On’ was uninspiring and then they failed to better it with ‘If I Were a Boy.’ Both Louis Walsh and Gary Barlow were unimpressed with the group’s performances and it, of course, led to Tulisa to making a passionate plea for everyone to vote for them. She was lucky to escape receiving a bill for damaging the judge’s desk. Certainly, on a night like this, Little Mix needed all of their supporters now.
Marcus Collins – Impressing with all his abilities
There has been no other act that can handle the pressure of performing an upbeat classic than Marcus. The order for him was the same as pretty much every single week in this competition; another two songs with an up-tempo theme to prove that he is, as Gary Barlow has been marketing him, the most versatile act in the show. In his first performance, ‘My Girl,’ certainly worked out for him, as did ‘Can You Feel It.’ Louis believed it was the wrong song choice for him, but this is what Marcus is all about and if that was the song that both he and Gary felt was enough get him to the final, then they certainly were both doing the job right.
Meet the finalists…
This time, unlike last year, ITV kept their promise. No surprise unannounced involvements from the judges, the three finalists were decided purely on the public vote. After an agonising 24 hour wait, the acts were now about to hear the verdict from the nation.
 |
| FAREWELL: Despite her talent, Misha struggled to win support |
Screams and tears of delight were heard when Little Mix, after a disastrous semi-final round, made to the final. Their faithful had responded just when it was needed the most. Marcus was perhaps the only one of the acts that believed he could go through, so both he and Gary were ecstatic when he did. That left Kelly Rowland’s two girls in the firing line Amelia Lily and Misha B. One would be given a ticket for the Wembley final and the other would be crashing out at the worst possible stage.
Finally, the girls were put out of their misery and it was, as widely predicted, a visibly stunned Amelia was the last act to get to the final. So after three fights for survival, sadly this time there was no comeback for Misha. She certainly didn’t go out quietly, closing Sunday’s show with an amazing rendition of ‘Who You Are’ as the judges gave her a standing ovation. Misha will surely bag herself a recording deal from here on in and if anyone doesn’t feel that way then they don’t know what being a popstar really is.
 |
| CHOSEN: It is Amelia v Little Mix v Marcus this weekend |
So having beaten off thousands of competitors, just three acts are now standing. Teeside student Amelia Lily, Liverpool hairdresser Marcus Collins and girl group Little Mix. Next week, one will win The X-Factor 2011 and a “life-changing” recording contract in front of a 10,000 strong audience. This series might have not proven as popular for well-documented reasons but surely next weekend’s finale has to be a ratings winner. If it isn’t then something is seriously wrong!
No comments:
Post a Comment