Tonight’s show really sorted out the good from the great! As always Sharon’s group shined, but tonight Louis’ acts left me a little cold. I would have to agree with Simon and Sharon, Louis’ song choices are hideous and if he doesn’t change his ideas soon he will be left with no acts in the X Factor!

Here’s my X Factor chart for tonights show:

1. Brenda Edwards:

Brenda once again lit up the stage with her version of Someone Elses Guy by Jocelyn Brown . She looked like a seasoned Diva who was more used to performing in packed arenas than the X Factor stage. She showed her immense vocal talent by holding her final note of the song for 11 seconds with ease. As Louis Walsh said her performance was both “electric and energetic”


2. Andy Abraham:

Andy shone tonight while singing the Frankie Valli track ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’. I concurred with Simon when he said “Thank God you are still in the competition.” Against all odds Andy has performed amazingly once more.


3. Maria Lawson:

Maria followed Simons advice and sang a more contemporary song this week in the form of James Blunt recent chart hit ‘Beautiful’. Simon thought she could record it as her own and praised her as “the best performance of the night so far”. I think Maria is one of the few acts that could transend from this show to a successful music career. She has it all: talent, looks, confidence and lots more talent!


4. Journey South:

The boys took a chance tonight with their song choice of First Time I Ever saw Your Face by Roberta Flack, and it paid off. They showed that they didn’t need backing tracks and choirs to support their, what could only be described as raw talent.


5. Chico Slimani:

Chico impressed the judges tonight with his version of ‘Kiss’ by Prince. Louis Walsh thought it was his best perfomance to date and Simon is shocked to admit that he is actually beginning to like Chico, he even thinks the competition would be boring without him. I think this was Chicos best performance vocally so far, the first week that he really sang properly. It was nice to hear!


6. The Conway Sisters:

The Conway sisters failed to wow the judges tonight with their performance of ‘One Voice’ by Billy Gilman. Sharon thought it sounded a bit Broadway and Louis thought it was an “bad song” from a “bad mentor”. I didn’t dislike it as much as the judges, but then I love Broadway and West End musicals. Simon was right to point out the tuning problems in the middle of the song, but I don’t think that was the main problem with this performance or this act. The problem for me is that they just don’t move or inspire me. They are good singers but I just don’t feel excited by them.


7. Shayne Ward:

Shayne sang ‘You Make Me Feel Brand New’ by Stylistics and I am in agreement with Simon and Sharon when they criticised the song choice. The song is too old for Shayne. he sang it well, very well actually, but the performance lacked excitement or feeling as he obviously doesn’t identify with this type of music.


8. Chenai Zinyuku:

Chenai’s song for this evening was You Were Always On My Mind by Elvis Presley. Again she didn’t sing it badly, though she definatley needs to work on her diction as it is hard to make out the words of any song she sings. But the song was all wrong for her. Sharon said she is longing to see personality shine through in Chenai’s performance in a way that we haven’t so far. I don’t think Chenai has found her niche yet and it shows from week to week.


9. Nicholas Dorsett:

Nicholas gave his worst performance to date while singing ‘I Want You Back’ by The Jackson Five. Sharon said “I don’t think you did yourself justice singing that song” and I think the majority of people would have to agree. The song was out of tune at parts and Nicholas looked uncomfortable when usually he is quite confident on stage. Simon believes that Louis Nicholas’ mentor is killing him in this competition. I would go as far to say that he is killing all his acts!