It’s The X Factor Season 2 semifinals and finally the decision is out of the judges’ hands. There’s no singing for survival on tomorrow’s results show and no deliberation by the panel. It’s all about America’s votes. Here’s hoping the public makes the right call.

Each act performed two songs a piece. One of their choice and the other chosen by their mentor. Personally, I thought the contestants collectively fared better when the decision was in their hands. I don’t feel any of their mentors did them any favors and in Simon’s case, I thought he hindered more than assisted. Check out all the performances below.

X Factor Season 2 Top 4 Performance Videos

Tate Stevens

Song: “Bonfire” by Craig Morgan
Song: “Fall” by Clay Walker

Performing two truly country songs is a risky move. I’ve never heard of either song, and I’m sure I’m not alone. You’re completely relying on your existing fan base and aren’t worried about picking up stragglers who lost CeCe Frey and Diamond White last week. To be fair, I don’t think any of their fans would’ve come over anyway. Will singing first and not picking more popular tracks do him in? I hope so, but I think middle America is saving him.

Carly Rose Sonenclar

Song: “Your Song” by Elton John
Song: “Imagine” by John Lennon

Loved, loved, loved the first performance. Mind you, anyone remotely singing that Elton classic in tune would win me over. I agree with LA’s praise that Carly’s phrasing at certain moments was fantastic. It made the oldie a bit more contemporary.

For the second performance, I’m 100% in agreement with Simon that there was too much going on. When she sat down at the piano, it was sublime. When she walked around, it was a bit of a mess. Is she going home? Hell no. That video showing Diamond White as her show BFF was brilliant. If that doesn’t sway over White’s fans, nothing will.

Emblem3

Song: “Baby, I Love Your Way” by Peter Frampton
Song: “Hey Jude” by The Beatles

Even though Simon will undoubtedly manage this trio when X Factor is over, he should really hand over the reigns to someone else. For me, Emblem3 have sounded the best when they’ve picked the songs or when their fans did during the Pepsi challenge. I felt Cowell let them down with “Hey Jude.” Wasn’t a fan of that performance at all. The build up to Keaton’s BIG MOMENT was a bit of a letdown.

Meanwhile, their first performance showed heart (dedicated it to their mom) and brought them back to their ska-punk-skater wheelhouse. Loved how it started with them lying down. Tank top boy still needs to turn down the douche factor, but otherwise, a perfect performance for them on “Baby, I Love Your Way”.

Fifth Harmony

Song: “Anything Could Happen” by Ellie Goulding
Song: “Impossible” by Shontelle

Admittedly, when the girls revealed they were singing this Goulding track, I was a little worried. Not many know this and wasn’t sure how their harmonies would work. Boy, was I wrong. Everything about this performance worked. Their solos were on pitch, the set production was everything and their look was on point. When the beat dropped in, I got tingles. By far, my favorite of theirs. This is the direction their career should take.

Once again, I felt Simon let down his act with the second song. Fifth Harmony’s “Impossible” performance at the judges home was so near perfect, that a second shot might not live up. While I enjoyed the Spanish lyrics and the beat during the second half, I wasn’t as moved when they sang it the first time. I really hope Simon didn’t screw them with the “Impossible” redux.

My Personal Performance Rankings

  • 1. Fifth Harmony – “Anything Could Happen”
  • 2. Carly Rose Sonenclar – “Your Song”
  • 3. Emblem3 – “Baby, I Love Your Way”
  • 4. Fifth Harmony – “Impossible”
  • 5. Tate Stevens – “Fall”
  • 6. Carly Rose Sonenclar – “Imagine”
  • 7. Emblem3 – “Hey Jude”
  • 8. Tate Stevens – “Bonfire”

Elimination Prediction

The only sure thing, IMHO, is Carly Rose. That girl isn’t going anywhere. Do I think Fifth Harmony who are underdogs have a shot? Yes, but a slim one. They needed to win over Frey & White’s respective fans and perhaps steal some from Emblem3. With their first performance, that’s definitely a possibility. Fingers crossed that Tate Stevens goes home, but I think it’s between Emblem3 and Fifth Harmony with my mini Spice Girls getting the boot.

What do you think of the semifinals? Did any act impress you? What was your favorite performance? Who do you think is going to win it all? Sound off below.

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