X Factor Recap: Four Chair Challenge Week 1 – Over 25s And Girls
The X Factor USA has named its Top 40, but now they must narrow it down to the Top 16. In past seasons of the X Factor, the auditions are followed with a hardcore boot camp in which the singers are narrowed down. This year, the show decided to switch it up with a new challenge… the Four Chair Challenge.
At the start of the show Wednesday night (10/2), host Mario Lopez explained the rules of the new round. Each act will perform and the mentor for that specific category will decide if they will get one of the four chairs. Once the chairs are filled, performances will continue and the decisions get more difficult. If a mentor chooses to keep an act with the chairs filled, they must say goodbye to one of the acts currently seated. At the conclusion of the round, the final four will move on to the live shows.
On Wednesdays show, judge Kelly Rowland was first to narrow down the Over 25 Top 10. Her group included Nashville bartender Rachel Potter.
With the first three chairs filled, Rachel Potter was fourth to hit the stage. Potter took on Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable.”
Demi Lovato asked how she felt about the performance. Potter replied, “To be quite honest with you, I’ve been sick. I don’t feel like it was my best.” Lovato agreed, saying “I feel like you can do a lot better than that, but that was kind of rough.” Simon Cowell praised Potters song selection and said it was a brave choice. Rowland was somewhat disappointed in Potters performance, but told knows that when Potter is 100 percent, she has “serious, serious pipes.”
Following a very dramatic round and ten impressive performers, Rowland saved Potter, despite the rough performance and boos from the audience.
Rowland’s Top 4 in the Over 25 category includes Potter, Lillie McCloud, Jeff Gutt, and James Kenney.
On Thursday night (10/3), Lovato’s group of Girls was underway. Fan favorite Rion Paige sang Rascal Flatts “I Won’t Let Go.”
After her performance, Rowland told the Florida native that she loved her voice. “I love how happy and excited you are when you sing. I just love watching you.” A very pleased Cowell agreed, adding “When you’ve got it, you’ve got it. And I really, really like your voice. I think we’re scratching the surface here.” Rion’s mentor Lovato was very proud of Rion and said “You are an incredibly special girl. I can’t let you go. You’re in my final four.”
Lovato’s Top 4 in the Girls category includes Paige, Khaya Cohen, Ellona Santiago and Danie Geimer.
Check out the performances below:
Rachel Potter sings Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable”
Rion Paige sings Rascal Flatts’ “I Won’t Let Go”
Tune in next Wednesday and Thursday to see the Boys and Groups take on the Four Chair Challenge. Watch on FOX at 8 p.m. EST.
