X Factor Blog: That time has come!

Last night was the final set of performances for the X Factor USA, and it looks to be a tough decision for America.

Before we got down to business however, we were treated to a preview of Simon’s new upcoming show, The Exaggeration Factor. Contestants compete with each other to see just can come out with the most stupidly outlandish statement about their journey. Chris and Josh both went with a “my whole entire life has boiled down to this moment” theme, whereas Melanie came a clear winner with her left-field “i’m going to rip my heart out right there on stage for you” comment…well done Melanie, you took it and made it a wee bit awkward!

Last night we were once again treated to two performances from each contestant. First a celebrity duet, and secondly their original audition song.

The celebrity duets were a mixed bag. For me the only one who truly shone through theirs was Melanie. Josh lucked out with the best celeb with Alanis Morissette taking the stage with him to sing Uninvited. It was a good choice for him but I didn’t find they blended that well on stage. It started off a little shaky but ended up good.

Chris Rene undid any shred of credibility he has built up over the competition and duetted with Avril Lavigne on her hit Complicated. It didn’t play to his audience and it didn’t sound that good either. Whether he has the star quality or not, there is no doubt that vocally the other two are in a whole different league compared to him.

Melanie got to tackle I Believe I Can Fly with R Kelly and while the judges were right in that it was the wrong key for her, she held her own and I think it sounded great when R Kelly joined her on stage. It seemed like a legitimate duet rather than just a talent show performance.

The odd group performance of the Cirque Du Solei Michael Jackson show with the contestants coming out and swaying awkwardly during the final chanted chorus was not particularly welcome. Yes, we know, Michael Jackson was the king of pop, yes, we all miss him, but please, enough with the Michael already! I still don’t wanna go see the Cirque show.

The best part of the night were the crazy people they talked to back in each contestants home towns. All competing to see who could be the loudest and the zaniest American (oh those Americans!). First prize goes to Chris’s mad next door neighbor who looked like she was about to wet herself in excitement, or possibly start frothing at the mouth and attacking the camera. Well done crazy lady, props to you! Special mention also goes to the exceptionally loud man at Melanie’s church who screamed at us and possibly went into some sort of religious mania as the camera cut away back to Steve who looked more than a little perturbed (just go back to Wales Steve, we’ll understand).

The second performances were all fantastic (even Chris’s, i’m not just hating on him for the sake of hating). Josh did a slightly more original version of At Last than his first audition, and it was more him, and quite fantastic. That man has an amazing voice.

We were treated for the third time to Young Homie by Chris Rene, and thank goodness as it redeemed him from his Avril failure before. It’s a good song, and I can see it becoming a hit post competition for sure.

Melanie did exactly what she did the first time round with Listen…which was wow us all. If there were any doubts over her winning I think she dispelled them right then and there. I truly hope she is crowned victorious tonight.

Season 1 of The X Factor is nearly at an end. Tonight we find out who takes the title out, get treated to whatever cover Simon has trotted out as their winners single and then we can sit back and wait patiently for it all to begin again next year!!