A personal collection of thoughts, insights, opinions, how to's and lessons about life, love, money with tidbits of movie and book reviews, art and poetry and unnecessary ramblings in between
In the spirit of Filipino pride, let's celebrate Ellona Santiago's successful stint to make it to X Factor US Season 3's top 16. Ellona is a Fil-Am aspiring singer who was born in the Philippines but moved to the US when she was barely 1 year old with the entire family and has lived in the country since.
With the show's new platform, the Four Chair Challenge in exchange for the bootcamp, the competition has been stiffer and more intense. No one wants to be de-seated. And with Demi Lovato's four seats already occupied, it was a make or break performance for Ellona. She was the last performer for the category singing her own passionate rendition of Clarity by Zedd.
See her performance...
If you watched X Factor Season 1, this girl was in it too but she was part of a group, inTENsity, who was booted out during the early part of the live show. Two years later, Ellona hopes that second time's the charm. Well, it sure is because Demi chose her over another Latina aspirant, Jamie Pineda to complete her final four.
It looks like we'll be seeing more of this small girl with a big voice in the coming weeks.
The adorable Rachel Crow sung I Believe by Yolanda Adams for the top 9 live performance on X Factor USA last night. She dedicated her performance for her mom and dad who adopted her when she was still a few months old.
I couldn't even imagine where and who Rachel would be if she was not lovingly cared by her foster parents. Rachel was born to a crack cocaine addicted mother. She has suffered abused and trauma living in a crack house and consequently, becoming addicted to crack. What an awful start in life for any kid.
Rachel Crow is 13-year-old today and looking at her and her genuine, innocent smile, you would never guess that she went through that when she was younger. She is such a ray of sunshine! When she smiles, she brightens up the place. When she sings, she captivates and tugs at your heart. She is a young, adorable, happy girl with an old soul.
I included the lyrics of I Believe below for some inspiration.
They said you wouldn't make it so far a a And ever since they've said it its been hard But never mind that night'cha had to cry Cause you had never let it go inside And you can never give up You can reach your goals Just talk to your soul and say
[Chorus:] I believe i can I believe i will I believe i know my dreams are real I believe i can I believe i will I believe i hold it soon man That is what i do believe
Your fools are justes singing, your soul aha And you know that your moves will let them show You keep creating pictures in your mind So just believe they will come true in time It will be fine leave all of your cares and stress behind and Just let it go Let the music go inside again the pain It just start to believe At third my yet what people say Hold your head high and turn away With all my hopes and dreams I will believe Even though it seems it's not for me I won't give up, i'll keep it up Looking to the sky I will achieve on my knees I will always believe
At the end of her performance, Rachel said, "And I wanna tell all the kids out there that you really can because I did!"
Could you adore this girl even more? And I hope that thousands more or even millions more would be inspired with her story. It was a bleak past for Rachel but I can see that she will have a bright, exciting future ahead. Rachel Crow, I do believe. =)
After last night's strong performances for most of the top 11 and my favorite being that of the last performance, Rachel Crow singing "I'd Rather Go Blind" and Astro's very confident rap comes second, it is up to America who goes home. It's time to find out who goes from The X Factor USA Top 11.
But before that, it's Willow Smith and Jessie J as the first guest performers on X Factor USA stage.
Another week of heartbreak for Paula Abdul because it is a toss for the two remaining groups. The bottom two for this week are the second time around StereoHogzz and the first-timer Lakoda Rayne. Who went home between the StereoHogzz and Lakoda Rayne?
The two acts sung for survival.
L.A. Reid: The act that I am sending home is the StereoHogzz.
Nicole Scherzinger: The act that I am sending home is the StereoHogzz.
Paula Abdul: Sending home the Lakoda Rayne.
Simon Cowell: The act I'm sending home is the StereoHogzz.
So that's it folks, it's goodbye for the StereoHogzz. And Paula is left with one group. They better be really good next week if they want to stay in the game.
Rachel Crow, who has been my favorite since Day 1 of X-Factor USA, just proved yet again that age is not a factor for one to be a brilliant singer. She has soul and a depth that is way beyond her years.
The past few live shows were not her best. She sang a Medley of Bieber's song and "Walking on Sunshine" with altered lyrics which Cowell says as being creative. But I disagree. Both were good performances. The energy was there but the powerful vocals and the soul that I glimpsed when she sung Beyonce's "If I Were a Boy" during Bootcamp were not there.
I don't understand what Simon Cowell is trying to do. She's turning her into a teeny-bop-Disney-sort of singer which she's not. Because Rachel Crow is a freakin' D-I-V-A and not some cutesy average singer. Yes, she's simply adorable and her bubbly and carefree personality were her greatest assets but as I see it, Rachel Crow and her vocals are capable of blowing the minds off of the audience when she sings if given the right song choice.
Thankfully, she chose her song for this week's Top 11 live show and hands down, it was absolutely brilliant. She did Etta James' "I'd Rather Go Blind" justice. So much justice in fact that it was in my opinion, the best performance of the night and my favorite one of Rachel's.
She sings "And Baaaby, Baaaby, Baaaby, Baaabyyyy I'd rather go blind boy."
I love how she goes into this place of raw emotion and passion when she sings. I dare you to watch it and be totally blown away by this precocious thirteen-year-old.
Simon says he saved the best for last! And he truly did. Atta girl! Great job this week!
Watch the performance and see for yourself what I mean... =)
Judges Comments:
L.A. Reid: Up until now, I wasn't sure if you're a true contender for the $5M prize. Tonight, you proved that you have you're eye on the target. You were great! My favorite yet.
Nicole Scherzinger: Blah..blah..blah. That was amazing! I don't know where you get that soul. Only God knows, honey.
Paula Abdul: Baby girl, baby girl! Boy, do I love you! I love me some Rachel! I love you so much and I'm glad that you're teaching this man (referring to Simon) humility. Rachel, you were amazing! The best performance! This is who you are on that stage.
Simon Cowell: Blah.. And not only do I trust you, I adore you. You remind me tonight of a mini little Beyonce and you've got that winning attitude and right now you are back in the game, young lady!
Listen to the original version. Etta James' "I'd Rather Go Blind"
