It’s finally here. After all the auditions, boot camp, judges’ homes and double eliminations it’s the big night where the Top 3 give it all they have. Thank God. I’m not sure I can endure another week of the X Factor. I really hope Simon makes even more drastic changes for next year to challenge The Voice and American Idol. That said, I really did enjoy some aspects this year. Particularly the revealing of the rankings on results night was a welcome addition.

For the final night of competition, the remaining acts sang three songs each- a memorable song from the series, a celebrity duet and their $5 million song. Speaking of the duets, clearly the show has lost a bit of its pull. Last year, Avril Lavigne, Alanis Morissette and R. Kelly joined the Final 3 for duets. This year, Cowell got LeAnn Rimes, Little Big Town and judge Demi Lovato to duo with the contestants. No disrespect but definitely less star wattage. Meanwhile on The Voice, Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, The Killers, Bruno Mars and even Lavigne popped up for the star-studded finale.

Before the Final 3 battled it out, a group performance with X Factor’s Top 13 kicked things off. Simon Cowell gave a few words dedicating the number to the victims of the Sandy Hook shootings. Though well-intentioned and sentimental in its own right, I couldn’t help but reliving The Voice’s moving “Hallelujah” tribute. The emotional performance had the judges and contestants holding cards with names of those who perished. If you haven’t watched it, you simply have to. I’m tearing up just thinking about it. Without further ado, let’s get to tonight’s performances.

X Factor Season 2 Top 4 Performance Videos

Carly Rose Sonenclar

Song: “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone
Song: “How Do I Live” by LeAnn Rimes
Song: “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen

For having to share a stage with LeAnn Rimes alone, Carly Rose deserves the title. Obviously, I don’t want to accuse someone of having a substance abuse problem, but clearly Rimes was a bit unhinged. What happened to the talented teen that originally sang “How Do I Live?” It’s like Rimes and Sonenclar never rehearsed together. LeAnn was all over the place. Props to Carly Rose for making the best of it. The pint-sized singer filled in the gaps when needed. I loved Britney Spears’ reaction while watching the trainwreck. She probably was thinking, “Girl, I’ve been there,” as she sympathetically stared at LeAnn. LOL

If Carly Rose wins tomorrow night it’ll be due to her phenomenal rendition of “Hallelujah“. After almost being derailed by LeAnn “homewrecking” Rimes, she wowed with her last performance. My only complaint (due to no fault of her own), was the fact I now associate this song with the Sandy Hook shootings. I’ll never be able to not visualize The Voice’s moving tribute when I hear the song from now on.

Tate Stevens

Song: “Anything Goes” by Randy Houser
Song: “Pontoon” by Little Big Town
Song: “Tomorrow” by Chris Young

If Tate wins tomorrow it’s due to vote splitting between Sonenclar and Fifth Harmony. He’s been solid all season long, but tonight he didn’t have that one defining magical moment. If he had one memorable moment, it was his adorably awkward dancing during his celebrity duet with Little Big Town. If I was in a cowboy bar in Texas, that’s what I would want to see… not on the X Factor stage. That said, dude is going to have a solid post-show career. There is no way Simon isn’t signing him. The Brit wants some of that lucrative country music money. Hee Haw.

Fifth Harmony

Song: “Anything Could Happen” by Ellie Goulding
Song: “Give Your Heart A Break” by Demi Lovato
Song: “Let It Be” by The Beatles

It kinda sucked that the girls’ best performance was last week and their second best outing was performed last week as well. Simon had no choice but to get them to cover the Ellie Goulding track again. With the star-making moment so fresh, a few things were switched up. Normani and Ally lost their solos and some spoken word intro was added. Overall, it was good but not as amazing as last week.

For their duet, Demi became the sixth member of the group. At first listen, I thought Lovato bombed. I came around when I watched it a second time. That said, all the 5H girls have better voices than the X Factor judge. Ouch, but you know it’s true.

After Sonenclar sang “Hallelujah“, I thought she had it in the bag. Thankfully, Simon picked The Beatles classic as their final song. Each girl delivered an impeccable vocal during their solo. Camilla rocked it with that whole adlib near the end. It reminded me of early Nelly Furtado.

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Winner Prediction

I think Tate will come in third with Carly Rose and Fifth Harmony dueling it out for the $5 million contract. Personally, I hope the girl group takes it, but I think Carly is going to edge them out, giving Britney that win she was promised when she signed her contract ;) Pretty much the order the Final 3 came out during the Sandy Hook tribute performance. Speaking of which, see it below.

X Factor Top 13′s Sandy Hook Tribute

What do you think of the final performances? Who do you think will win? Who should win? What was your favorite performance? Sound off below.

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