The December 8, 2011 episode of The X Factor began with a guest performance from Lenny Kravitz. He performed a medley of his 1993 hit "Are You Gonna Go My Way?" and his new single "Rock Star City Life", and there was virtually no difference between the two. The performance was competent but utterly devoid of passion or soul, just like the classic rock revivalism that's defined Kravitz's career.
The customary recap of the previous night's performances followed, interspersed with brief clips of the remaining five contestants backstage. Afterwards, host Steve Jones asked the judges for their "personal highlight" of the previous night. LA Reid, Nicole Scherzinger, and Simon Cowell all chose Chris Rene's performance, while Paula Abdul characteristically refused to pick a favorite.
First Voting Results
Next came a taped segment focusing on the hair, makeup, and wardrobe staff that was clearly meant as filler rather than any serious tribute to their talents. Jones wasted no time moving on to the first voting results, preceded by the usual bombastic entrance for the contestants and their mentors.
Jones announced that three acts would move directly to the finals and emphasized (as always) that he was presenting the results in no particular order. Josh Krajcik was first to learn that he was advancing, and Scherzinger seemed more emotional than him as the two embraced. Chris Rene was next to move on, and the results stopped there momentarily as the show cut to a commercial break.
Backstage Interviews & Mary J. Blige
Marcus Canty, Rachel Crow, and Melanie Amaro were backstage again when the show returned. Jones asked Crow if she felt confident, and she answered "No" almost immediately. Canty told Jones it "wasn't a good feeling" but added, "God has been good to me". Amaro said she was confident her fans would keep her on.
The night's second guest performance, from Mary J. Blige, was far more impressive than Kravitz's prematurely embalmed rock. Accompanied by a single acoustic guitarist and a string quartet, she brought all her vocal strength and emotional depth to "Need Someone".
Second Voting Results
Jones asked Rene, now standing backstage, how he felt about advancing to the semi-finals. Rene talked entirely in reality show cliches about his "amazing" experience. Krajcik was less effusive, saying only that he was anxious to "get back to work".
The three remaining acts came back to the stage along with Reid and Cowell. Jones recapped the judges' comments, then announced that the last act moving directly to the semi-finals was Amaro. That left Canty and Crow to battle it out for the final spot. Canty was clearly discouraged but told Jones, "I just have to go out and deliver". Crow said she was okay and would sing her best.
Last Chance Performances
Jones asked Scherzinger what she was looking for from the two, and she said she wanted them to "sing their hearts out". Abdul said essentially the same thing. Canty was first to sing, tackling Blige's "I'm Going Down" with a passion that made it possible to overlook a glaring technical error on the last note of the song.
Crow stayed in her comfort zone with her performance, singing "I'd Rather Go Blind" in a manner far more mature than anyone would expect from a 13-year-old. Abdul stood and clapped along for the duration of Crow's performance, which was far more vocally impressive than Canty's.
The Judges' Decision
Jones asked Reid for his vote first. He said it was "the toughest part of the show" because both acts were great. He said Crow surprised him and did an amazing job, but that he was going to stand by his act and send her home. Cowell didn't hesitate in casting his equally partisan vote to send Canty home.
Abdul said that Crow was the act that "really blew me away" and also voted to send Canty home. Scherzinger cried and held her head as Jones asked for her vote. Crow told her, "Please don't cry, I'm good with anything". Scherzinger said she adored both of them and couldn't make a decision. The audience booed loudly as she dithered, but she finally voted to send Crow home and leave the choice to the audience's votes.
Jones wished both of them luck and opened the envelope containing the results. He said the act with the lowest number of votes was Crow. She collapsed in tears and Cowell rushed to comfort her. Crow thanked everyone after the montage of highlights from her performances. Cowell said Crow went out "on the highest she could have gone out on". The audience booed Scherzinger again as she tearfully turned away from Jones' questions.
Paul Brown - Paul Ferrell Brown graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1994 with a B.A. in English literature, and completed his M.A. in ...
Join the Conversation