Week 3 Review Pt1

Two acts will go this week with the act that receives the lowest public vote being second to leave and judges choosing who will be third from the next two lowest in the poll.

It's Diva Week, although sometimes I wonder whether there's much point in assigning a theme as most acts do what they feel will keep them in, or what their mentors think will do so.

Jennel

Proud Mary you may recall from either Creedence Clearwater Revival or Tina Turner. It's a track that regularly appears of these shows and is never as good as either of those and this time too is disappointing. A slightly too gentle start but she does get going eventually but this is not that great. All the notes were there this time, Jennel being a fairly reliable and good performer but I always get the feeling that she's holding back and could do much better.

Tate

He gets lots of applause and is a really popular guy. From This Moment must be one of those droming on Country songs. It does go on a bit. He has a strong, good voice but actually we hear more of one of the backing singers and the band is way too intrusive. It's a competent performance again but very uninspiring. He does seem popular, though and Simon, sensing a market out there, says he's happy to write the cheque for $5 million now. I think he means he'll put him on his list of SYCO acts whatever happens in this competition, rather than indicating that his groups stand no chance.

Diamond

Halo. Good choice by Britney. Her voice is also drowned out by the backing and it's difficult to tell what contribution she's making but, from what I can hear, she does very well. She looks confident and, this week, hits the right notes and has bags of personality - an endearing quality that may keep her up there in the very safe zone again.

Beatrice

It's unusual for two acts from the same category to follow each other but that's what's been decided here. Beatrice must be worried that she was at almost exactly the opposite end of the poll to Carly Rose last week and is clearly anxious. Time After Time is another excellent choice by Britney. Beatrice was once my 'dark horse' contestant as I love her voice and she had that extra something that I thought would keep her in this competition. However, she did little with this song until just one phrase near the end. She did get the notes right and looked good on the stage but I wonder if that will be enough to keep this charming girl in the competition.

Lyric145

Virtually no rehearsal time for these three but that may not matter for these natural performers. They're talented - well, Lyric certainly is - and We Will Rock You suited them even if it didn't suit the week's theme. Once again, there is massive support from the male backing group that has me fumbling around with my audio controls. There has to be something seriously amiss with the broadcast mix. Not sure how the voters will take that performance and the judges are definitely unimpressed. Simon may have been but was cut off mid-sentence with the tedious 'Be right back' from the compère and the screen cuts to ads. Terrible.

Arin

Teen number three from Britney's category. Three out of the last four. Odd. Crazy For You seems like a track he knows and his relationship with Normani from Fifth Harmony could have helped this 17 year old make a decent attempt at getting some meaning across. He had a great start but this was boring, a word that three of the judges used in their summaries too. He could have done so much more with that and it didn't work. He's a good looking boy and that may save him again this week but he could be the first teen to go.

Paige

Now she should do well on Diva Week. Last Dance. Nice choice by Demi and Paige puts on a great performance with no bad notes and plenty of good moves. She looks good, not as OTT as previously and is starting to settle in and show some real talent. She was at her best tonight and the best act so far by a long way.

Fifth Harmony

Hero. Another overdone track. Lauren is still leading which I feel is a mistake as she is not as strong as she needs to be. Just as last week the real effect comes when Camila starts. She is the really good singer and performer. The group do work really well together, nice to watch and listen to although someone needs to tell Dinah Jane to hold back a bit as we really don't want a passion power line in every track please. I'm not absolutely sure this track represented the best they can do but not at all bad and I would hope they'll be around next week.

Carly Rose

My Heart Will Go On is, of course, the classic Titanic track by Celine Dion. I don't recall anyone attempting this as it is not at easy with some very tricky notes. Wow. This was brilliant. She controlled everything and produced one marvellous performance - and at 13! This is a quality performer indeed.

Vino

 Let's Stay Together. Vino sings Tina? Well, despite my initial doubts his was the best start of everyone and it was indeed, a great track for him to interpret. Plenty of shots with him touching hands with adoring girls in what looked just a little too 'arranged' for my taste but that will do him no harm in broadening his appeal. He has a strange doubled up prowl as he moves around the stage and, in black leather from neck to toe again, he's not the most watchable character. However, that's one good voice and he is a contestant to be reckoned with who'll be around no problem for a while yet. Britney and Demi really don't seem to like him, though, and you do have to wonder why.

Emblem3

Simon gets in something about the group rescuing kittens which, of course, UK viewers will know little about but which I guess hit the news over there. Alisha Keys No One /Everything's Going To Be All Right is their number and this talented and professional group do well with it. They're well-rehearsed and give good performances that are modern and you can see them selling records and at concerts. Nice job. But so was last week and they only managed a middle placing with the voting public. This week will gives us a big hint as to what their chances are. I had them as potential winners.

Cece

She needs an amazingly good performance to stay another week, especially with two acts going this time. It's tough with so many doing so well this week, though. She is adorable to watch and her hair's so much better. Not so sure about the dress but she makes a good effort at All By Myself. In places she shwoed what she is capable of but mostly this was a phrase on repeat and still some desperation spoiling the overall impact. The production was OTT but that may have been my audio. At the top end she is totally reliable and inspiring and you know she cares so much - exuding passion and meaning to lyrics as well as anyone - but there were too many bits that were out of her natural range where she needed to let the track flow and not force it. It was a poor song choice, again. She could be in trouble yet again which is such a shame. I feel Demi has written her off and is putting all her efforts in to Paige and I'm not sure Jennel hasn't been left alone either. Such a pity.