by: Todd Betzold

 

The auditions are over and now it is time for boot camp on The X Factor as 162 acts give it their all to make it to the final 32.

 

There will be 100 acts cut tonight, but first they learn a dance routine with the help of choreographer Brian Friedman, who I happen to love. Had some drama, as Brian Bradley, the young rapper, refused to dance because it is not what he is here for.

 

Now it is time to sing. The acts were asked to prepare a song to show they are worthy of being the winner. They will come out in rows of 10 to impress the judges one more time.

 

We see good and not-so-good performances, singers forgetting their words and mixed reactions from the judges and some bickering between them, of course. Some of the big dogs from the initial auditions shining again and some falling on their faces.

 

The judges made their decisions and broke the singers into three groups. The first and last groups are staying, but the second group was sent home. We are now down to 100 acts and the judges threw a party for the remaining singers. Some went to bed early and others stayed up to party...leading to oversleeping in the morning and people rushing to get to the morning meeting.

 

Boot camp day two: the singers are put into ensemble groups and given a song to learn and perform in just five hours...just like on American Idol, I'm sure this will bring drama.

 

The first group comes out and sings "Creep" by Radiohead. Had some great moments during it, but it was awkward to me...too much going on up there.

 

The second group has some of the powerhouses, Jazzlyn Little, Melanie Amaro and Stacy Francis. If they don't wow me, I will be amazed. They'll be singing "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" by U2. They did hold their own, but these performances I am not liking...too many things going on at one time on the stage.

 

Up next, the third group will be singing "Desperado" by Eagles. Leroy Bell did an amazing job...I really like his voice. Cari Fletcher did well also and this performance let each of them shine, which I liked.

 

The fourth group features rapper Brian Bradley, as they will be singing "Wishing On A Star" by Jay-Z. Can he keep impressing them with the rapping? "Reina" Williams comes up big in practice and wants to impress them with her new found rapping abilities. This featured the rapping of Brian and Reina more, but I liked it. The judges didn't like it and thought Brian is too young right now for rapping.

 

The next group features the burrito-slinger, Josh Krajcik, and young singer Nick Dean, who will be singing "Superman" by Five For Fighting. Nick starts strong, but ends on a sour note as he forgets the lyrics. That continued throughout the group, but Josh Krajcik took it home with an amazing performance.

 

Up sixth is the group featuring crooner Phillip Lomax, Elvis-wannabe Nick Voss and Tiah Tolliver, the girl Simon fought Paula and Nicole for to get to move on. They'll be singing "Feeling Good" by Michael Buble. And oh wow, Tiah went above and beyond to prove she belongs in this competition. A very good song and performance by all the members.

 

The lucky seven group features 13-year-old Rachel Crow and the singing group 4Shore. They got Whitney Houston's classic ballad, "I Have Nothing," a tough song for anyone to sing. Having struggled in rehearsal, Rachel did hold her own during the performance. And good job Ellona Santiago, jumping out as one of my new favorites.

 

The last group of the night has best friends (his secret crush) Makenna and Brock and R&B group, The Stereo Hogzz, singing "Light Up" by Leona Lewis. Nerves are getting to 12-year-old Emily Michalak before the performance, but it did not show in her performance as she rocked it.

 

We finish the group performances and find out the top 32 on tomorrow night's The X Factor at 8/7c on Fox.

 

(Image courtesy of Fox)

 

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