Marcus Canty‘s newly released single, “Won’t Make A Fool Out Of You,” is a smooth and sensual R&B ballad, BUT it wasn’t very memorable. I have to give the 21-year-old props because he is talented; he sounds like a combination of Usher and Mario. He would be much more memorable if he sings dance hits, just like his X Factor performance of “Pretty Young Thing” — now that was hot, so step up your game, Marcus!

The single will be on Marcus’s debut album released by Epic Records later this year and the title is yet to be announced. Let’s hope we hear some more upbeat songs Marcus! He has the voice, but he just has to prove he’s worthy of being compared to Usher. He has it in him, so I wanna see it!

–Giovanna Pagliarulo

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Adorable Marcus Canty may have been voted off X Factor’s semi-finals last night, but he promised he’d be back, and he will be! Marcus told HollywoodLife.com exclusively what he’d love to do next.

If you’ve been watching X Factor then you know that Marcus Canty has a winning smile that lights up your TV screen. Now Marcus admitted to HollywoodLife.com that he’s dying to act and his dream would be to star in a remake of the Fresh Prince of Bel Air TV show, which originally starred Will Smith.

“Oh man, that would be sweet,”… he revealed. “Yeah man, somebody needs to make that man. Just get me a sitcom. I want to make some money with a sitcom!”

“I want to do everything. I want to do movies. I want my own sitcom. I would even do a chick flick. Not a raunchy one though. Just a beautiful chick flick,” he said.

It turns out Marcus has trained as an actor so he’s prepped. “That’s what I did before I sang. I acted first … I went to a school for film and TV in New York. I got a scholarship to go there to do acting,” he revealed. “I got big dreams, I got big dreams…”

He also confirmed that Timberland has been in touch with him. “Yeah, hopefully, me and Tim can get together man, I would love to work with Tim,” he said.

We can’t blame Marcus at all for aspiring to step into Will Smith’s shoes or to work with Timberland and we think he would be terrific!

We just want Marcus to go on to a great career. He deserves it!

— Russ Weakland

After weeks of really intense eliminations on The X Factor, tonight’s semi-final cut didn’t seem too harsh to us. Of course it was sad to say goodbye to yet another contestant, but we’re ready for the finals next week!

After several weeks in a row of being in the bottom, Marcus Canty was the one to get the boot, leaving Josh Krajcik, Melanie Amaro and Chris Rene to battle it out for the $5-million prize.

“This is not the last time you’ll see Marcus Canty,” Marcus said when he found out the news. “God blessed me so much being in this competition.”

What did you think of tonight’s elimination? Were you surprised or did you expect it? Sound off below!

Who do you think should win?? GO VOTE HERE!

More ‘X Factor:’

1. Kirstin Says: Is Rachel Crow, 14, Too Young For The ‘X Factor’ Spotlight?
2. ‘X Factor’ Results: Was Rachel Crow Or Marcus Canty Eliminated?
3. ‘X Factor’ Finalist Rachel Crow Reveals Emotional Tribute To BFF Drew Ryniewicz

After last week’s emotional and shocking elimination, it seemed like there was a big weight lifted off everyone’s shoulders tonight on The X Factor. With all the kids eliminated, the adults came out to play — and I think Marcus Canty will be the one left behind tomorrow, as Chris Rene, Melanie Amaro and Josh Krajcik all brought their A-games.

Round one consisted of songs chosen for the contestants by people voting on the Pepsi Challenge. Here’s what went down:

Marcus Canty: Marcus threw the dance moves out tonight in exchange for a rose and lots and lots of fog. His romantic ballad was sweet, I guess. But it definitely wasn’t my favorite song, or performance. “You’re the entertainer of the group and you didn’t disappoint,” Paula Abdul said, sweetly. I agreed more with Simon Cowell, who said the staging with the dancers and the rose didn’t fit the song. Zzzzz.

Chris Rene: Luckily for Chris, he was given a better song (Sugar Ray‘s “I Just Wanna Fly”) than Marcus. The laid back beat worked well with Chris’ whole image. However, I felt like he was out of breath for much of the performance. He does such a better job with his original music. I really don’t like when he covers other people’s work. After he finished, the crowd was going nuts in the background, chanting his name. Clearly, at the time of his performance, he was the winner.

Melanie Amaro: The Pepsi Challenge voters couldn’t have picked a more fitting song for Melanie. She belted Mariah Carey‘s “Hero” like it was written for her. It gave me chills. “I didn’t feel your usual passion,” L.A. Reid complained. Disagree. I’m sick of Simon and L.A. tearing each other down through their contestants. Also, I have to applaud Melanie this time around — she didn’t talk too much, which was really nice.

Josh Krajcik: Josh killed The Beatles’ “Come Together” and finally came back into his own. I’m still baffled that his look hasn’t changed at all throughout the course of the show, but his voice is insane. “You attack our souls. You get into us. It’s unbelievable,” Paula said. “You’ve come back and you’ve come back strong this week,” Simon raved. “It would be a massive shame if you weren’t in the finals next week.” I would be upset if he didn’t make it.

Here was round two:

Marcus Canty: I thought the little electronic bridge in Marcus’ rendition of George Michael‘s “Careless Whisper” was a great way to make it more relevant and current. Also, he looked sharp in his white suit. All of that said, I like him, but I don’t think he’s meant to be in the finals next week. I see Marcus performing in Las Vegas or at a theme park — not selling out world tours. “This was a joke, an absolute joke,” Simon said. “Seriously, L.A. that was as bad as I’ve ever seen.” I wouldn’t go that far. However, it wasn’t my favorite performance.

Chris Rene: I got chills when I heard Chris would be playing piano tonight and then I started crying when he talked about saying goodbye to his cancer-stricken dad. This guy sure does pull at heart strings, doesn’t he? I was a little bummed he sang “No One” by Alicia Keys instead of another original, but Chris still managed to make it his own. “You may be the dark horse in this competition. Good for you!” Simon said. (Side note: Did anyone catch this? “Your spirit transcends across the universe,” Nicole said. HA! She says the most ridiculous stuff. I’m so over her.)

Melanie Amaro: I was nervous when L.A. and Simon were making such a huge stink about this mystery “classic” song (“Feeling Good”) but wow, this was her best performance to date. From the very first note to the last wailing pitch, Melanie couldn’t have sung this sone better if she tried. Plus, she looked phenomenal in her black fitted dress. I have to admit, Simon does a fantastic job of styling his contestants. After this performance, I’m torn between Chris and Melanie as my favorites.

Josh Krajcik: Josh pulled out the good old standard “Hallelujah” and played the piano while he wailed. I thought it was simple, yet beautiful. I can’t wait to hear Josh’s original music — the tone of his voice is unforgettable. He’s a pro.

After tonight, I will be absolutely devastated if Josh, Melanie and Chris aren’t the performers in the finals next week. Marcus has had a great run of it, but it’s time for him to go. (And if Steve Jones and Nicole Sczherzinger were to get the boot too, I wouldn’t be upset…)

What did YOU think of tonight?

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More ‘X Factor:’

1. Kirstin Says: Is Rachel Crow, 14, Too Young For The ‘X Factor’ Spotlight?
2. ‘X Factor’ Results: Was Rachel Crow Or Marcus Canty Eliminated?
3. ‘X Factor’ Finalist Rachel Crow Reveals Emotional Tribute To BFF Drew Ryniewicz

Jimmy — you couldn’t have said it better– it was ” a travesty” to kick Rachel Crow off X Factor last week. She was “remarkably more talented” than the contestant she was up against-  Marcus Canty — he insisted, while Nicole and Paula squirmed.

He even called ” America stupid”  for voting more heavily for Marcus. ” In the moment and under pressure it’s not easy to just send someone home”, Nicole whined  under Jimmy’s pressured questioning. ” But it’s all fine for Rachel now, ” Nicole insisted. ” I think she has a deal with Disney.”

Well, we’re very glad to hear Nicole talking about Rachel’s Disney deal because Hollywoodlife.com has been exclusively reporting that Disney is anxious to make a deal with Rachel, for her to eventually get her own show on their network.

Fascinatingly,  Mr  ( Usually) Nasty, Simon Cowell, like the Grinch, appears to have grown a heart with this season’s X Factor. When Jimmy replayed the video of Rachel hearing that she was voted off the show and collapsing to her knees in tears, Simon admitted that ” it was even worst than I remember.” And  yup, it was! Remember that Nicole and Paula.

And guys- stop complaining about having to do your extremely well-paid jobs! Nicole- I can assure you that many people would be happy to step in and have to make the tough decisions you’re afraid of!

Thanks for giving all the judges a bit of a hard time, Jimmy!

-BONNIE FULLER
More ‘X Factor’ News

1. Paula Abdul Walks Off ‘Jimmy Kimmel’ Set After Snide ‘X Factor’ Remark
2. Paula Abdul Told Nicole Scherzinger To Vote Off Rachel Crow–Video Proof!
3. The Real Reason Nicole Scherzinger Wanted Rachel Crow Kicked Off ‘X Factor’

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Guess what? There is a new enhanced video clip in which you can clearly hear Paula Abdul telling Nicole to vote Rachel Crow off so the decision to let an X Factor contestant go, would go to deadlock. They’re BOTH cowards! Watch video.

Paula and Nicole– There is no place for bland niceness as an X Factor judge. At first, it appeared that Nicole didn’t have the nerve to vote Marcus Canty off when faced with the tough elimination decision before The X Factor semi-finals.

When she voted Rachel Crow off instead, so the decision went to deadlock, it was Rachel Crow who became the victim because she had fewer votes from the show’s viewers.

Now, Rachel supporters, you have one more culprit to blame for Rachel’s ouster–Ms. Niceness herself Paula Abdul, who can clearly be heard in this newly available audio from TMZ.com, telling Nicole to do the easy thing and let the decision go to deadlock.

It appears that NEITHER you Paula nor you Nicole had the stomach to make the difficult decision to vote off Marcus who was terrific but not AS terrific as Rachel.

And come on, puhleeze! You two are paid big bucks to be major arbiters of talent on XFactor. Not only are you abdicating your responsibilities to pick the best of the best BUT you are making our entire female sex look bad.

Why are the two male judges left to vote their hearts and minds — granted though they each voted for their own mentees.

But at least they were straightfoward and outfront– not whispering behind the scenes!

Paula, you are even more to blame, because you let Nicole take all the public flack. Tsk! Tsk!

Now Rachel Crow– you have the truth.

But so glad, you’re in talks with Disney. You can be BIGGER than Miley Cyrus and Hannah Montana!

–Bonnie Fuller

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More X Factor News!

1. Disney Wants Rachel Crow To Be The Next Hannah Montana
2. ‘X Factor’ Star Rachel Crow Wants To Earn Money For Sick Dad
3. Simon Cowell Says: ‘I Want Melanie Amaro To Win ‘X Factor”

Simon Cowell was less than pleased after losing his contestant, Rachel Crow, in a deadlock judges’ vote last night on The X Factor and said there’s no way Marcus Canty — who was saved over Rachel — will make it through the semi-finals.

“It’s not going to happen, I don’t believe that,” the 52-year-old British judge told HollywoodLife.com exclusively. “I have talked to the others and he is not going to be in that league, especially with what we have planned next week.”

He reconfirmed his feeling toward the issue a few minutes later, telling reporters he’d be “disappointed” if Marcus won the $5 million recording contract. “I don’t think he is going to win,” he added.

Who do YOU think will win The X Factor this season?

Reporting by Russ Weakland

More ‘X Factor:’

1. Kirstin Says: Is Rachel Crow, 14, Too Young For The ‘X Factor’ Spotlight?
2. ‘X Factor’ Results: Was Rachel Crow Or Marcus Canty Eliminated?
3. ‘X Factor’ Finalist Rachel Crow Reveals Emotional Tribute To BFF Drew Ryniewicz

First it was Astro and then it was Rachel Crow…and neither were pretty. When Astro — who was 14 when he started The X Factor and 15 when he left — was placed in the bottom two for the first time, he threw a hissy fit and refused to sing his save song. Only a couple weeks later on Dec. 8, Rachel, 13, was voted off and fell to the floor in a fit of tears. Is all of the pressure of live, reality TV too much for kids to handle?

Don’t get me wrong. As a former child performer myself, I’m 100% supportive of kids in show biz, but I have to wonder if a show of this magnitude is healthy. It’s already stressful enough to keep things together when you’re a grown person, but to be barely out of middle school and riding the roller coaster that is The X Factor? Forget about it.

In the beginning, I raved about Simon Cowell‘s decision to lower the age limits. “The kids make the show!” I wrote. It’s true…they really do. Kids and animals, they’ll steal any show. We get attached to them; we’re impressed by their talents; and most of all, they pull at our heart strings and bring out the emotion. In essence, kids = ratings.

However, after tonight’s display (combined with Astro’s attitude), I’d like to ask FOX producers to consider increasing the age limit of their show. When she learned Marcus Canty made the semi-finals over her, Rachel LITERALLY fell to the ground, stole any attention from him and started sobbing like she’d just seen a murder. It was so upsetting, her mom and Simon sprinted to the stage and picked her up, both promising it would be okay.

“You PROMISE?” she screamed, through her sobs. Jeez, it broke my heart — but it was also really unsettling. It felt like I was watching a human being come undone before my very eyes.

I guess moments like this are what make reality television so entertaining. But I think we need to think twice before allowing our source of entertainment to come from kids younger than 16.

What do you think? Were Astro and Rachel just coincidences? (After all, Drew didn’t break down like them.) Or should The X Factor age limits be raised? Sound off below!

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Click here for a recap of Rachel’s elimination