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‘The X Factor’ Recap: Lillie McCloud, 54, Stuns Judges With Presence
‘The X Factor’ has gotten its four groups together, so now the contestants can show us what they’ve really got! Did you agree with the judges’ choices? Let us know!
The first “Four-Chair Challenge” has begun, and the competition has been narrowed — so put your claws away, Simon Cowell! Ten hopefuls performed, with four seats for each group, and the judges could swap people in and out as they pleased! Read on to find out HollywoodLife.com‘s thoughts on the performances!
Kelly Rowland’s Over 25 Group
Kelly Rowland is in charge of the over 25 group, which started the night. Victoria Carriger, the 41-year old raspy-voiced mom, kicked it off with “To Make You Feel My Love.” It was half Norah Jones-y, half hungover-sounding. But Kelly said yes!
Kristine Mirelle, 27, then sang a haunting, jazz cafe rendition of “Oops I Did It Again.” I agreed with Simon when he said the arrangement was off, and nobody gave her a perfect review — but she got a yes, too!
Jeff Gutt, 37, belted out a weird take on “Amazing Grace” with the might of a has-been country star trying to sing their hit from 20 years ago they way they used to. But he got a yes, too — Kelly must be feeling super generous!
Rachel Potter, 29, pulled the old “I’m sick” routine when her voice was questionable at times during “Irreplaceable,” but Simon sympathized with her, saying it was a good song to sing. Kelly says yes, not surprisingly — and things start to heat up since someone is going to lose their seat now!
Lorie Moore, 34, made everyone else know that she would be taking someone’s seat with a powerhouse rendition of “I’ll Make Love To You.” Kelly is skeptical, saying she’s not competition-ready, but Simon is petitioning hard for this girl — he even gets on his feet! Ultimately, Lorie is in — and Kristine is out!
Allison Davis, 26, opted to sing the classical masterpiece, “Tik-Tok,” — and is promptly sent home. Darn you, Ke$ha!
Jeff Brinkman, 36, sings a ho-hum version of “Without You” — but apparently not so ho-hum that he can’t replace Victoria — oops!
Oh, Denny Smith. The 68-year-old sang a truck-stop karaoke version of “In The Midnight Hour” that had the audience clapping along to immediately, with Simon looking around with a “Is this for real?” face. Denny got sent home — but had a great time while he was on the show!
James Kenney, 36, belted out a different (read: odd) rendition of “Lean On Me,” and reminded me of a pastor at a mega-church, with his large, dramatic hand gestures and clear, choral voice. But it was enough to get him to move on, sending home Jeff!
Ladies and gentlemen, step back — Lillie McCloud, 54, has arrived! She sang a gorgeous rendition of “A House Is Not a Home,” purely belting it out and not holding back, leaving Demi Lovato and Paulina Rubio were in awe, and so was everyone else! She got a resounding yes — but sent home Lorie! Super sad face.
Demi Lovato’s Girls Group
Bree Randall, 20, kicked off the Girls Group with “Glad You Came,” which was very underwhelming. Demi was meh on her but sent her through, with Bree pleading she’ll do her best. Rock on, Bree!
Tiny Khaya Cohen, 15, belts out an impressive version of “Locked Out Of Heaven” — that was so good, Demi said all the other girls should be scared of her!
Jamie Pineda, 24, intrigued the judges more than she entertained them, singing “Don’t Speak,” with bits of Spanish mixed in. “No hablan” got her creative points — and a si!
Stunning vocalist Ashly Williams, 24, sings “Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing,” wowing the judges and getting a yes, despite a bit of bellyaching from Simon — and we’ll find out whose seat she takes next week!
What was YOUR favorite performance, HollywoodLifers? Comment and let us know!
WATCH: Lillie McCloud Sings A House Is Not A Home On The ‘X Factor’
— Ivy Jacobson
