There were no big surprises on Thursday’s results show of Fox’s “X Factor.”
Well, maybe one: All that British Invasion talk and build up to One Direction all week and they only sang one song? Simon Cowell, you could have had the guys do a medley at least. Watch their performance of “Story Of My Life” above.
(Spoiler alert: Don’t read on if you don’t want to know the results of Thursday’s results show)
Right off, host Mario Lopez announced that Khaya Cohen was going directly home. She’s an exceptionally good young singer. And, I’m a little split on her departure. She sings better than a few of the people still left in the competition. But, you all didn’t find her likable. I get what you saw – or didn’t see – and it’s all-fair in a competition like this.
Also read: ‘X Factor’ Top 10 Performances: Rion Page Owns ‘Your Song’ (Video)
After she left and Lopez rattled off the singers who are staying, Tim Olstad and Carlito Olivero were left standing. I had predicted Olstad would be in that position. But, I saw him going against either Cohen or even Alex and Sierra. I figured the gals would want the eye candy of Olivero around for a little bit.
Olstad’s problem, of course, was that everyone around him (including himself) was trying to make him some kind of cool, sexy singer. And, that’s not him. He’s a nice guy, a cute guy but mostly a nice guy, who likes to sing songs that give him opportunities to belt long notes. He’s not meant to slither across the stage like Robin Thicke. No, no, no.
His big mistake on Thursday was that his survival song was too big for him, too recognizable. He has a good voice, but not as good as Josh Groban. And, certainly not as good as Groban on “You Raise Me Up.” From the get-go, he set himself up for failure. But, can we remember how far this guy has come? Remember when he couldn’t perform without his hand shaking wildly from nerves?
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Olivero on the other hand, he’s got the sexy thing down. And he made the perfect choice in performing Labrinth’s “Beneath Your Beautiful.” It was all within his vocal range, which allowed him to worry more about connecting and then serenading young Demi Lovato at the judges’ table. He threw everything he had at that song – except Spanish, surprisingly.
You can guess who went home. Judge Kelly Rowland, Lovato and even coach Paulina Rubio voted for Olstad’s elimination, which meant Cowell didn’t even have to vote. Watch the elimination below.
Olstad, you’re a good man, Charlie Brown. But, you probably should’ve stuck to the clean-cut Minnesota boy thing over the forced studded leather jacket thing. It all got so confusing.
See video: ‘X Factor’ Producers Explain Their Big Voting Fail to Some Unhappy Contenders (Video)
Moving on to the Top 8 are Olivera, Rion Page, Ellona Santiago, Josh Levi, Jeff Gutt, Lillie McCloud, Alex and Sierra and Restless Road.
Did the right two competitors go home?
“The X Factor” airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8/7c on Fox.