'X Factor' Semifinals Recap: Marcus Canty to go Home?
The final four contestants on “X Factor” have given their last efforts to make it to the finals next week. Now, America’s votes following Wednesday’s episode will determine which semifinalists make it to the next round.
Wednesday’s competition saw each contestant perform two songs. After narrowly escaping elimination last week, semi-finalist Marcus Canty took the stage. His performance of Boys II Men’s “I’ll Make Love To You” earned him praise from “X Factor” judge Paula Abdul, who said, “You are the entertainer of this group.”
However, Canty’s next song Wham’s “Careless Whisper” proved to be “horrific,” according to notoriously harsh judge Simon Cowell.
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L.A. Reid, serving as judge on the reality show, disagreed with Cowell. “It was like being in a Vegas show in 1983,” said Reid. “In some ways, I think of you as an underdog,” continued the judge, who said Canty sounded like a champion.
Next on stage was last week’s favorite performer Chris Rene. First the singer did a cover of Sugar Ray’s “Fly,” in his trademark singing-rapping style.
“You make us feel good,” said “X Factor” judge Nichole Scherzinger. For his next song, the semi-finalist sang Alicia Key’s “No One,” which earned Cowell’s approval.
“You have delivered big-time,” said Cowell.
Following Rene, this season’s favorite on “X Factor” Melanie Amaro took the stage. Singing Mariah Carey’s “Hero,” the judges all agreed that her act was a success.
Her second song was the Broadway hit “Feeling Good,” which has been covered by singers such as Nina Simone and Michael Buble.
The performance garnered Amaro the highest praise from L.A. Reid, who said, “You’re the greatest female that has ever graced this stage, you killed it girl!”
Also chiming in at the judge’s table, Abdul said “You should be feeling good right now,” to the young singer.
Lastly, Josh Krajcik gave his performance of “Come Together” by the Beatles.
L.A. Reid told the contestant, “That’s the best I’ve seen you in a few weeks.”
Krajcik’s second song was Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” with which he played the piano. The performance “put you into the finals,” said Cowell.
Thursday’s episode “X Factor” will reveal the final three contestants who will continue the competition next week.
“X Factor” airs on FOX Thursday at 8 p.m. EST.
