Last night the X-Factor contestants were whittled down to the 32 acts that will go through to the judges’ houses stage. The contestants were put through their paces in boot camp, with one on one meetings with voice coaches and the creative director of the show who advised them on stage presence. After Cheryl and Danni’s absence from the show the remaining judges decided to bump up the number of acts sent through from each category, changing from 6 to 8.
The judges made an interesting change to the categories this year during boot camp following a suggestion from Nicole Scherzinger, Pussy Cat Doll and assistant judge. The cut off age for the boys and girls category was raised, strengthening the boy’s category but leaving the now over 28’s with a dearth of talent. Louis didn’t hide his disappointment upon discovering he was chosen to mentor the category saying ‘Oh god! The over-28’s and me. The other judges are going to be smug and confident.’
Whilst the pickings appear to be thin there are two stars in the category. Mary Byrne at 50 years old has the most powerful voice in the competition with a huge range at her disposal and Storm Lee, already Simon Cowell’s most hated act but with a stunning rock voice and a vibrant if contrived stage persona. Whilst Storm is a little too prone to Americanised overblown personal positivity he promises to provide some interesting banter and raise Simons perfectly arched brow on more than one occasion. It would have been too good to have Lee being mentored by Cowell who stated ‘I want to take his voice, and put it in somebody else.’ Louis is probably more inclined to take the crepe soled rocker more seriously and with Cheryl’s help may defend him against the more damning of Cowell insults.
The sharp tongued music mogul takes the groups and is none too happy at the prospect calling it a ‘stitch up’. The Reason, FYD, Princes and Rogues and Girl five piece Husstle made the cut, the judges added Twem, the French answer to Jedward and Diva Fever, camp cringe-fest, for a bit of light relief and controversy. The Reason are the modern day answer to the boyband with tattoos and edgy fashion in place of JLS’s colour co-ordinated blazers and the billowing shirts of the Take That era. They even front up on the talent front with their harmonies and acapella arrangements. Husstle look like Gwen Stefani glory days multiplied by five and whilst they are musically simplistic their dance routines (and hair!) are highly impressive.
Those who paid attention would have noticed that the judges only selected 6 groups for the category sending the rest packing. This numerical mishap was explained and rectified when the judges put together boy band 1 Direction and girl band Bell Amie from those who were denied selection for the girl and boy categories but were too talented to send home. This saw youthful favourites Liam and Harry safely back on our television screens where they belong.
This year Cheryl looks to be heading for a hat trick after being given the girls section to mentor. The girls are the strongest category in the competition which includes early favourites Cher Lloyd with her swaggering original style and Gamu whose crystalline voice reduced Louis to tears during her version of Adels Feel my Love.
Danni returns to our television screens after giving birth to Ethan in July. The Australian singer will be taking up the task of mentoring the boys category this year composed of talent such as Matt Cardle, the self-effacing painter and decorator from Essex. Fellow acts gave Matt a well deserved standing ovation after his performance at boot camp. Italian diva Nicolo Festa made the cut as well as Aiden Grimshaw, Marlon Mckenzie and Paije Richardson.
Chloe Victoria was only one of the hopefuls who got given the boot at boot camp but she made the headlines this weekend for rather more unsavoury reasons. After appearing at boot camp hours late, a hung-over Chloe stated she hadn’t been to bed since the previous night and was still wearing last night’s clothes and make up. She smelled of vodka and claimed she felt sick as she shuffled into boot camp with the other contestants.
Chloe appeared on This Morning earlier today to deny allegations that she is a prostitute who snorted cocaine and charged £450 for two hours of sex. Reports also say that Chloe, advertised as Candy on an escort agency website, takes her daughter along to work, leaving her to be looked after by friends in hotel lobbies whilst she is upstairs ‘working’. Video footage from the Sunday mirror depicted the failed x factor contestant snorting cocaine. The singer said she was ‘so, so stupid for doing it’ but admitted to having tried Class A drugs on numerous occasions. Whilst Chloe seemed unrepentant about her party lifestyle she denied she was a prostitute and insisted that ‘[she is] the best mum ever. I make sure she[Destiny]eats five fruit and veg every day, sometimes more. My daughter is the most best (sic) looked after person in the world.’ As Chloe drove away from the interview her daughter, Destiny, was sat upon her lap with neither seat belt nor child seat in sight whilst Chloe nattered slack jawed into her mobile phone. Most best indeed.
