X Factor 2013: Nicole Scherzinger picks Hannah, Abi and Tamera while Gary Barlow chooses Kingsland Road, Rough Copy and Miss Dynamix for live shows
By HANNA FLINT
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The results are in, Nicole Scherzinger and Gary Barlow have picked their final threes for the live X Factor shows.
For the Girls, Nicole chose Tamera Foster, Abi Alton and Hannah Barrett while Gary opted for Kingsland Road, Rough Copy and Miss Dynamix.
For the other six artists and acts who didn't get through, their only consolation was a free trip to Antigua and New York.
Chosen: Nicole Scherzinger picks Tamera Foster and Hannah Barrett for the live X Factor shows
Finalist: Abi Alton's cover of Yazoo's Only you impressed Nicole and Mary J. Blige
For the Girls, after partying with Nicole at a carnival with Nicole, they were starstruck when Mary J. Blige was introduced as the guest judge.
Tamera was first up, singing Alicia Keys Fallin' for the R&B superstars. And without forgetting her lyrics like in her arena audition, the 16-year old delivered a pitch perfect performance.
Tearfully, when asked what it would mean for her to get through, Foster said: 'You know all my life, I've been told I'm no good and I can't do it but now I'm here and I know I can do it.'
She's the queen! Mary is one of the biggest R&B artists in the world
Hopefuls: Jade Richards, Melanie McCabe and Relley C were also hoping for a spot
Beautiful setting: The Girls were taken to Antigua to perform for Nicole and Mary
Getting through, Tamera said: 'I feel so blessed to have gotten through to the live shows: it’s such a crazy feeling I’m so lucky. How many people my age get this kind of opportunity? I'm going to love every second of it! I think the thing I'm most excited about is being in front of an audience.'
Abi Alton stepped behind the piano to do her rendition of Yazoo's Only You, and moved both Mary and Nicole.
After her performance, Abi was reduced to tears as she expressed how much getting picked would mean: 'music is my absolute life... to take it to that next level would be a dream come true. I feel like it's my time to do that.'
Working too hard: Hannah had a sore throat because of all the practice she had been putting in
Consoled: After an emotional performance Mary jumps up to hug Barrett
Shocked: Not as melodramatic as Rylan Clark, but Hannah was still really teary after getting a yes from Nicole
And she was certainly was right as Nicole made her one of her three girls going to the live shows.
'Vocally my audition at Judges’ Houses wasn’t perfect,' Abi said. 'But I think it was the emotion I put into the song that got me through. I was so nervous at the thought of getting a "no".'
Hannah Barrett was worried her voice would not be ready for the audition, having practiced too much before Antigua. Fighting back tears though she got it together and performed A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke.
Only You: Thankfully Abi made it through as she said she couldn't handle a 'no'
Fourth time: Melanie McCabe auditioned again but sadly didn't get through
Over: Jade Richards and Relley C sadly wouldn't be going home with good news
Before the tears: The girls made the most of their time in Antigua with Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole herself was in tears, and even Mary jumped up to give Hannah a hug, but Scherzinger was impressed with the student's 'timeless' voice.
Getting selected for the former Pussycat Dolls' final three was a dream come true: 'After coming from Gregg’s and serving four sausage rolls for the price of three, never in my wildest dreams did I expect to get this far.'
Melanie McCabe and Jade Richards have done the X Factor rounds a few times, four for Mel and three for Jade.
Jade received complements from Mary for her 'raspy tone', while Melanie's version of Snow Patrol's Run made Nicole think she 'had given her most emotional performance.'
Relley C also impressed the judges with her range and voice, but sadly for these three girls it wouldn't be a happy return to England to their families.
East side's the best: Kingsland Road reminded Gary of a young Take That and secured their place int he live shows
Bear hug: Kingsland Road can't quite believe they've made it through to the X Factor live shows
Scrum: Gary jumps on the boys as they celebrate the news
For the Groups, Kingsland Road - who added the 'Road' to their name before Judges' Houses - auditioned first choosing Olly Murs' Dance With Me as their audition song. A bold choice especially as Olly was Gary's guest judge this year.
After their performance, Barlow said: ''I do get a twang when I see them, it takes me back. What I love most about this band is their personality.
It's just leaping off the stage, there's so much to fall in love with there.'
Olly said: 'They over egged it a little too much, but they've got great voices. The middle one, too good in fact he shouldn't have sung my song!'
On getting through to the live shows, Kingsland Road's Connor said: 'When Gary paused and we were waiting for his decision; that felt like literally an hour. It was ridiculous!'
Rough Copy, now down to two members had all to prove in their decision to carry on as a duo, performing Justin Bieber's Boyfriend.
Troublemaker: Former Xtra Factor presenter and contestant Olly Murs helped Gary make his picks
Duo: Rough Copy performed Justin Bieber's Boyfriend without their third member
Dream come true: Rough Copy fall to the floor when Gary delivers there positive verdict
Gary said: 'Their most memorable performance as Rough Copy is a free. So I've got to judge them today purely as a two.'
Olly: 'I was worried they were going to be flat and defeated, but they didn't look defeated.'
Their duo performance was enough to get them in Gary's final three, and they couldn't be more appreciative of having him as a mentor: 'We can’t even explain the feeling of having Gary as our judge. We used to watch Take That when we were younger.'
After being thrown a lifeline at the bootcamp stages to become a group, Miss Dynamix proved themselves and have a second chance to make it to the live shows as a three.
What a transition: Miss Dynamix proved themselves in two weeks and was chosen for the live shows
Pure Shores: The girls sang the All Saints song for their audition in New York
Code 4: Without their fourth member, the boys did an entertaining performance of Stevie Wonder's Superstitious
Better as four: As a three Gary didn't want to take her through
Band-member Jeanette said: 'We didn’t have more than three weeks. There was Bootcamp for two days, then we went home. Literally in total we had spent about 10 days together.
Singing Pure Shores by All Saints, Olly was impressed, telling Barlow: 'It's like they've been together for ages.'
While Gary recognised their talent and look, he did believe 'they've got to be likeable as well and there is a little bit of work to do on that.'
Disappointed to be sent home were Xyra, Code 4 and Brick City. Olly said that the girl group were 'vocally not a question' but didn't think that was enough for the X Factor live shows.
Xyra: The girl group sang Phil Collins' In The Air Tonight but sadly it wasn't n the air for them
Starting again: The girls say they don't have jobs to go home to
Brick City: Olly thought they were the band who had only been together for two weeks
Code 4 like Rough Copy were a member down, and Gary noticed: 'these guys they're perfectionist but they're a four-piece group.'
Brick City lacked personality for Gary and Olly, with Murs saying: 'I felt like you put them together at boot camp but there didn't feel like much chemistry.
Now Gary, Nicole, Sharon and Louis have picked their final threes, the twelve acts will move into the contestants' house in preparation for the first live show on October 12th.
Sad farewell: Gary shakes Brick City's hand as he delivers his 'no' verdict
THE X FACTOR FINALISTS 2013:
THE GIRLS
Abi Alton
Age 19
Location - Guisborough, North Yorkshire
The teenage supermarket worker has a link with last year's winner, having grown up near James Arthur and performed with him at local gigs.
She plays the guitar and piano and writes her own songs and wowed the judges with a self-penned tune inspired by her break-up with her boyfriend - even making Nicole Scherzinger cry.
The pair are now back together and Abi said: 'The song I performed on the show that made Nicole cry was about when I was going through a break-up. In between the first audition in the room and the arena, that situation happened and that song was really raw. We'd been together just over a year. Everyone goes through heartbreak at some point in their life and that's why I decided to sing that song because ultimately I want to relate to people.'
Tamera Foster
Age 16
Location - Gravesend, Kent
The student, who lives at home with her mother, auditioned as part of a duo called Silver Rock but they split up on the judges' advice.
She almost blew her big chance when she forgot the lyrics to the song she was singing at the arena audition but was given a second chance and won the judges and the audience over.
She said: 'I feel so blessed to have gotten through to the live shows: it's such a crazy feeling I'm so lucky. How many people my age get this kind of opportunity?
'I'm going to love every second of it! I think the thing I'm most excited about is being in front of an audience.
'Ever since Bootcamp I've realised what a buzz it gives you and I can't wait to feel that way again.'
Hannah Barrett
Age 17
Location - South London
The A-level student was introduced to music by her father, who died when she was nine but left her with a love of classic soul and jazz singers including Ella Fitzgerald and Anita Baker.
She fell out with her mother before her audition and currently lives in accommodation for homeless youngsters and also works part-time in a baker's.
She said: 'My mum is really old-fashioned and comes from a very strict Caribbean background; she's not the type to say 'I'm proud of you' or anything like that. The X Factor has brought me and my mum closer together again. Our relationship will take a long time to get to the point where we're inseparable, but we're working on it.'
THE BOYS
Luke Friend
Age: 17
Location: Devon
Student Luke loves giggings and he aspires to headline Glastonbury and perform at New York's Madison Square Garden.
His dreadlocked hair has remained unwashed for nine months, and to maintain his look he showers with a cap on - only wetting it in the sea - and the wildman look has led to him being nicknamed Mowgli, after the Jungle Book character.
He said: 'The whole X Factor experience has been wonderful and now I'm through to the live shows it is a wonderful feeling. The most exciting part of my first week's performance is totally changing an '80s classic and making it completely my style.'
Nicholas McDonald
Age: 16
Location: Motherwell
Nicholas gigs in venues around the area and he lives with his father as his roadie, ploughing the money he makes into new equipment.
The student was desperate to audition and did so as soon as he was old enough to try out for The X Factor, and he is full of excitement for the live shows, as well as his other passion football.
'To be in the live shows is overwhelming and amazing as I never thought I'd be here and I am so thankful to be in this position. I can't wait to perform in front of the nation and show everyone my talent. My family are 100% supportive and behind me and if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be in this position today because they have sacrificed everything for my dreams.'
Sam Callahan
Age: 19
Location: Essex
Works part-time as a bar man where he lives, but his main focus has always been on music. He attended Theatre School when he was younger and performed in bands before opting to go solo.
The acrobatic singer is already pals with District 3 and Union J after supporting the former X Factor contestants at Scottish gigs.
'I used to spend a lot of my time busking around the country and getting as much exposure as possible. When I took my first job in a bar, I told them that my music will always come first and if a gig comes up the jobs got to go and luckily, they were cool with that. I cannot wait to hear the Sam Callahan voiceover and the audience when I walk out on to that stage for the first live show. That would really psych me up.'
THE OVER 25'S
Shelley Smith
Age 34
Location: Farringdon, Devon
Single mother Shelley lives with her seven-year-old daughter Madeline and is a white van driver,delivering car parts, as well as pursuing her love of music by performing at weddings and birthdays.
After splitting from her fiance last year, she has revamped her image by losing weight, ditching her glasses and changing her hair. She previously made it to bootcamp in 2008 and 2012 but progressed no further.
She said: 'I'm overwhelmed to be in the live shows and feel unbelievably proud that Mrs O sees something and believes in me. I was so shocked when she chose me. Apart from having Madeline, it was the best day of my life so far. Having watched myself back on TV, I have noticed all of the bad habits and silly faces that I sometimes pull. Now, I am going to rein all of that in and really focus on my performances.'
Sam Bailey
Age: 35
Location: Leicestershire
Prison officer Sam - who is married with two young children, Tommy and Brooke - often finds herself singing while she walks the corridors of her workplace.
She worked on cruise ships in the past but in recent years she has devoted herself to family and job, and now wants to pursue her dream.
She said: 'I feel so lucky to be chosen for the live shows as there is so much talent this year. I didn't think I would make it this far at all. I am excited about the impact of my new style on the audience; I can't wait to show them more of my voice and what I can do. I'm not just a ballad singer; I'm somebody that can sing any style - even opera.'
Lorna Simpson
Age: 26
Location: South Norwood, London
University student Lorna, who studies business finance, believes she has star quality and hopes to sell millions of records. She has adopted an alter-ego when performing on stage in the past, called Luscious, to help bolster her confidence, but is now just being herself.
She previously had success in a talent contest while living in Jamaica for two years where took an £8,000 in a "Tasty Talent" competition.
She said: 'I'm most ecstatic about the fact I'm not going to be the one sitting at home wishing it was me. I get to live up that moment in week one. belting out a huge popular '80s song, and pouring out my heart while getting some real pop dance moves on. I always knew it was what I wanted to do. I've left quite a few jobs as when an opportunity for singing comes up, I'm gone like a shot.'
THE GROUPS
Rough Copy (Kazeem, Sterling and Joe)
Age 24, 25 and 27 respectively
Location - Croydon
The trio, who were put together by Kazeem, have been together for five years and share a house.
They pulled out of Judges' Houses last year after visa issues stopped Kazeem travelling and that threatened to derail them again this year but Gary Barlow put the trio back together after a strong performance by the other two.
Sterling said: 'We can't even explain the feeling of having Gary as our judge. We used to watch Take That when we were younger.'
Kingsland Road (Josh, Connor, Thompson, Matt and Jay)
Age 20, 19, 22, 25 and 19 respectively
Location - East London
The boys all share a cramped house with three in one room and the other two in another but still insist they are "living the dream".
Jay, who had to sleep on the floor of the house, said: "The five of us lived between two rooms at home, it wasn't ideal but we're like brothers so it didn't really faze us. We loved it because we just got up and rehearsed every day."
Josh said: 'We just want to get out there now and give the performance of our lives. All we've wanted to do from the start of the competition is do performances that people will remember.'
Miss Dynamix (Jeanette, Rielle, SeSe)
Age 21, 16 and 22 respectively
Location - from London, Romford in Essex and Manchester
The three members of the group all auditioned separately, but Gary Barlow put them together at the end of bootcamp.
They all moved in together and reckon being a band is 'really easy and fun', but admitted it was emotional when they found out they had made it through.
Jeanette said: 'We have cried a lot. They did a compilation of us crying and it was pretty long. We need therapy.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2447091/X-Factor-2013-Nicole-Scherzinger-picks-Hannah-Abi-Tamera-Gary-Barlow-chooses-Kingsland-Road.html#ixzz2gzSYFnlj
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