by Todd Betzold

 

We have finally made it to the live shows on The X Factor, as the Top 16 take the stage and by the end of it all we will be down to the Top 12. We have our new co-hosts and over-the-top performances tonight and of course the judges bickering, so pull up a seat!

 

One thing about The X Factor, they are over-the-top with everything and this entry is outrageous. The categories all hit the stage with their mentors and of course Britney Spears is last. Time to meet your hosts: Khloe Kardashian and Mario Lopez and Khloe is looking good, right? The Top 16 will perform tonight and no public vote. Tomorrow night the judges will figure out what eight have to sing for survival and then four acts will go home! The judges are all confident they have the best one, so let's check them out. The theme tonight is "Made In America."

 

Paige Thomas (Young Adults) - "What Is Love" by Haddaway
Okay, there are dancers everywhere and she has some funky spike thing on her head. The same head they made a big deal about shaving off her hair. This production was so overdone and her vocals were nothing special. L.A. said she handled herself with poise and looked like stardom, but not sure about the song choice. Britney said she is outrageous and the costumes are beautiful. Simon said she came out tonight and nailed it. Did any of them hear her sing? It was not good. Demi said she is proud of her and she did a fantastic job.

 

Khloe is struggling a little with the hosting, but Mario is so good.

 

Arin Ray (Teens) - "You Keep Me Hangin' On" by The Supremes
I am not a fan and he should not be here because he was here last year as a group. Between the smoke blowing up on stage and the screaming audience you could barely hear him, but that is fine because he didn't sound too great. L.A. said it wasn't great, but he is a supporter of him. Demi said she couldn't hear him over the screaming girls. Simon said Britney may have put too much around him on his first performance. Britney said he was a little genius up there and it was on.

 

David Correy (Over 25s) - "My Love Is Your Love" by Whitney Houston
Finally, someone that came out to sing tonight. The production was not big and he sang like a star. This was a great performance and he gave me chills. He had emotion behind it and was so good. Britney said he was amazing and he surprised her. Demi loved it and Simon thought it was manic at times and he wanted to impress the audience and felt like a bad song choice. L.A. said we could hear you sing and that means a lot and it felt good.

Sister C (Groups) - "Hell On Heels" by Pistol Annies
They do have a good sound to them and the song is good and it is just them up there singing and I like that and I love this song. L.A. said it was good, but they did that song in their audition. Britney said they delivered and they were stunning. Demi said they are three beautiful girls and they have a sound that is missing in the industry, but they came out stiff. Simon said that was a fantastic performance and they have improved since the audition process.

 

L.A. and Simon continue their bickering from last season and how they seem to hate each other and rip on each other's acts and it is so aggravating.

 

Jenell Garcia (Young Adults) - "Home Sweet Home" by Motley Crue
She got some bangs and looked good and has a great voice. I enjoy her and outshined Paige with the vocals. L.A. said that was a 10 and she convinced him that she can win. Britney said she rocked it out and really amazing. Simon said he absolutely loves her and the performance was amazing. Demi is proud and feels like crying.

 

Diamond White (Teens) - "Hey, Soul Sister" by Train
Anyone from Team Britney will have an over-the-top performance, let's get that clear. Diamond did a great rendition of this song and has some strong vocals and I like her. L.A. said it felt more mechanical for him at first, but by the end it felt like her song. Demi said the song choice was great and she has one of the most powerful voices in the competition. Simon said she came off as a relevant pop star. Britney said she impressed her and is proud.

 

Vino Alan (Over 25s) - "Gotta Be Somebody" by Nickelback
First of all, how is this night's theme Made In America? The songs make no sense and Nickelback is a band from Canada! Secondly, he starts out rough and improves as he moved on, but he just seems out of his league on this show and may kill someone. Britney said she felt his effort, but she was bored. Demi said she sees the passion in the eyes, but she has a hard time seeing him as a pop star. Simon really likes him and has an incredible voice, but the song and arrangement was horrible for him. L.A. said he is going to be just fine.

 

Lyric 145 (Groups) - "Boom! Shake The Room" by Fresh Prince
I like this group and think they are entertaining, but this was a weird arrangement of the song and they had a little "Gangnam Style" break in the middle. They are awesome, but this was awkward, L.A. said he loves them, but someone took the soul out of them. Britney said she was genuinely entertained. Demi said she is worried about this group and they are great. Simon said they were absolutely sensational.

 

CeCe Frey (Young Adults) - "Because the Night" by 10,000 Maniacs
This girl came off as cocky during the auditions and then I liked her at the judges' home, so can she continue that? She gave her a new hair color (blonde) to go with her new attitude, but will it work? I loved this performance and she is such a pop star. It was a little rough in moments, but this was a great and entertaining performance. L.A. said that was really strong, but she left a little to be desired vocally. Britney said the vocals did lack in spots. Simon said she is fearless and she is someone they need in this competition. Demi said she can do much better vocally and she is a pop star.

 

Tate Stevens (Over 25s) - "Strong" by Craig Morgan
He is a strong country singer and does an awesome job with this song. He gave me chills and had emotion behind the song and I like him. Britney said he wows her every time he sings. Demi said at the beginning he was bored, but he is a star and he gave her chills. Simon said he is a good, honest man and this show could give him that break he needs. L.A. said he is proud of him and he is a classic and he is a keeper.

 

Beatrice Miller (Teens) - "I Won't Give Up" by Jason Mraz
I cannot listen to a 13-year-old sing this song and feel like it is even meaning anything. The song is such a powerful song and has emotion in it, but she is too young to sing it. I did not like this at all. L.A. said he believes her and loves her. Demi said there was so much feeling behind her eyes and she is impressed. Simon said the style of music was right and he really likes her. Britney said she is a true star and she is the best.

 

Jason Brock (Over 25s) - "Dance Again" by Jennifer Lopez
L.A. said he is Mr. Entertainment, so this is a big deal and in his audition he said he wanted this huge stage show. This guy can sing that is for sure, but I was over the same lyric over and over again. It was a good performance and he looks like a chunkier Adam Lambert. Britney said he could have chosen a better song, but it was entertaining. Demi said she loves him, but it was a bad song choice. Simon said he likes him, but that was utterly horrendous. L.A. said he enjoyed him and everyone in the room had fun. Jason then pinched Mario's butt!

 

1432 (formerly Lylas of the Groups) - "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" by Taylor Swift
They couldn't use Lylas for legal reason, so 1432 means I love you too? I am over and over this group. I think the boys should have made it and they make a bad song even worse. L.A. said the name is bad and the song choice it very karaoke and talent show. Britney said their energy drew us in. Demi said there was only one person that shined tonight and it didn't click. Simon said they are fantastic and there is work to do, but hopefully they can improve over the weeks and show why they are here.

 

Willie Jones (Young Adults) - "Here For The Party" by Gretchen Wilson
I think Willie has a great voice and I love his deep country voice, but this song choice was weird and I was sick of the cowgirls chasing him around and dancing in front of him! L.A. said it was very entertaining. Britney said he is a true star and he has what it takes. Simon said it was silly and he didn't get it and it didn't show off his vocals. Demi said his mentor is 20 years old and people like uniqueness and maybe this would have worked 100 years ago when Simon was good.

 

Carly Rose Sonenclar (Teens) - "Good Feeling" by Flo Rida
She dresses in a school girl outfit in style with Britney back in the day. This is very strong in parts, but then falls short for me in other parts. I am not sure, but I do enjoy this girl. L.A. said she has a beautiful voice, but it didn't feel like she was having fun. Demi said she has one of the best voices in this competition, but at her age it can be a blessing and a curse. Simon said it looked like she struggled with the song and it looked like she wasn't connecting with the song, but it would be criminal if she left the competition. Britney said her vocals were amazing and she did a great job.

 

Emblem3 (Groups) - "One Day" by Matisyahu
They are cute and boys, so they will go far in this competition. They put on a great performance and are very strong and it is the reason why they kept them for the last performance...the girls were going crazy! L.A. said Simon got it right this time and it was unbelievable. Britney said they are amazing and adorable. Demi said cute boys make her swoon. Simon said the difference in them over the last few weeks is tremendous and remember this night because they are seeing a future superstar.

 

The X Factor airs on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8/7c on FOX.

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

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