The X Factor judges Britney Spears, Simon Cowell, Demi Lovato, and L.A. Reid – Photo: FOX
The X Factor returned to Fox for a double elimination on Thursday that sent two of the remaining Top 12 singers home before the Thanksgiving holiday.
Prior to the official rankings announcement, The X Factor wasted no time with the first elimination as fans said goodbye to Lyric 145. After performing a last minute mash-up the night before of Katy Perry’s “E.T.” and Queen’s “We Will Rock You”, the once highly touted group were left vulnerable and off of their usual hip-hop game.
“We had a hip-hop song snatched away from us at the last minute,” said the group’s leader, Lyric da Queen, about their last minute song choice.
Did they deserve to go? On one hand, yes. On the other, no. If Simon was looking for the group to push themselves beyond hip-hop to be a bit more diverse and they couldn’t, the elimination makes sense. If it was just song choice for the sake of being different, then no. It was a confusing performance. Hip-hop was what Lyric 145 did best. Unfortunately it didn’t work out for them.
Mega-superstar Taylor Swift broke up the elimination tension with a guest performance of her new single “State of Grace”. Since Fifth Harmony performed Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” a week earlier, it would have been cool to see the girls join Taylor on “State of Grace”. Instead, it was all Taylor Swift who offered useful advice to the singers about the music industry. “You have to be nice to people,” Swift admitted.
As for the remaining Top 11, Tate Stevens, Vino Alan, Carly Rose Sonenclar, Beatrice Miller, Diamond White, Cece Frey, Emblem3, Arin Ray and Fifth Harmony were all safe. That left Jennel Garcia and Paige Thomas to sing for their X Factor lives.
So, how did Jennel and Paige do on Thursday?
Jennel Garcia and Lyric 145 on The X Factor stage for one last time – Photo: FOX
Jennel gave a solid but timid performance of Hoobastank’s “The Reason” before Paige made a deeper connection with three out of four judges on Coldplay’s “Paradise”. In the end, L.A., Britney, and Simon favored Paige over Jennel, who said goodbye to The X Factor.
Top 10 Rankings
1. Tate Stevens
2. Carly Rose Sonenclar
3. Vino Alan
4. Emblem3
5. CeCe Frey
6. Fifth Harmony
7. Diamond White
8. Beatrice Miller
9. Arin Ray
10. Paige Thomas
How do you feel about this week’s eliminations on The X Factor?