X Factor Finalists Revealed
October 4th 2010 14:00
Link: twitter.com/mattsaltmer
Last night on the X Factor, the 12 contestants through to the live shows were announced. It was also announced, that during an extended first live show next Saturday, a 13th wild card act, will get a place in the finals. In a series that hasn't lacked controversy and tribulations, from accusations of using vocal tuning machines on audtions, to Cheryl Cole's bout of malaria, the announcement of the finalists followed suit, by causing a stir.
Simon Cowell is mentoring the groups, and his choices weren't overly surprising. The two groups put together by the judges at boot camp, boyband 'One Direction', and girl band 'Belle Amie', both made it through. The final place went to male five piece 'FYD'. Louis Walsh's final three from the over 28's category, weren't too shocking either. In the the revised category, that used to be over 25's, 50-year-old Mary Byrne, 30-year-old John Adeleye, and quirky Bon Jovi wannabe, Storm Lee, made it through.
The current bookies favourite, is in Dannii Minogue's boys category. Matt Cardle has the best voice in the competition, but given that so far he has only sang girl's songs, and can't dance a scratch, could cost him later in the show. Aiden Grimshaw could be another contender, while Dannii's final place went to European student Nicolo Festa.
But it was Cheryl Cole's choices in the girls category, that has caused a real stir, to the extent that 'hate cheryl' was trending on twitter last night. Predictably, the adorable and vulnerable Rebecca Ferguson made it through. But Cheryl then dumped out highly talented singers Keri, Annastasia and TreyC. But the biggest shock came, as former bookies favourite, Gamu Nhengu, was not put through. The Zimbabwean born singer was a huge fans favourite, after wowing audiences at every stage of the audition process. She is highly expected however, to receive the wild card place next week.
The internet has been seiged with fans anger at Cheryl, who before this episode seemed to be able to do no wrong in the British public's eyes. Instead of Gamu, she took Katie Waissel and Cher Lloyd into the live shows with Rebecca. Despite taking the media by storm with her first audition, like Cheryl, Cher's popularity has fallen dramatically. This is a little harsh, given that tonsillitis stopped her from even completing a song at the judge's houses stage. Her, and Katie, burst into tears half way through trying to impress Cheryl, and her assistant Will I am. However, both were put through, at the expense of Gamu, who has been flawless at every stage.
It will be interesting to see who gets the wild card place next week, and if Cheryl, and the girls in her category, can claw back their popularity amongst viewers, after last night sparked outrage country wide. No doubt Cher is capable of winning if she performs like at her first audition, but not one of Cheryl's three contestants left, looks fully reliable to perform under pressure. The X Factor live shows start next Saturday, with the first elimination in a live results show next Sunday.
This could be the final series of the X Factor in Britain, as Simon Cowell is launching the show, in the United States next year. Nicole Scherzinger, who was exceptional as guest judge filling in at this year's auditions, is in line to join him on the US judging panel. Cheryl Cole was also expected to be signed up, but this incident could well cost her a place.
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