Causing a Storm: Meet the latest acts through to Boot Camp Pic: ITV / Talkback Thames
Show three on The X Factor certainly caused a Storm as the judges hit Birmingham and London.
Guest judge this week was stunning, Aussie, singer / actress, Natalie Imbruglia. G’day talent.
As the judges set off for London, Louis said: “It’s London, we’re looking for talent. I just want something different, something that’s going to sell records. You know – I’d even settle for a new set of twins!”
He spoke too soon as more twins than ever have auditioned this year including Bejon, who were the first pair to go through.
Next up was French twin act Twem, who travelled all the way from Paris to try out for the show. Although Simon wasn’t sure they should have bothered, Louis saw a twinkle of the Jedward pound signs in his eye.
They performed Just Dance by Lady Gaga. Perhaps they should have Just Danced…
Cheryl grinned and said: “You’re like the Parisian John and Edward.”
Simon turned to Louis and sneered: “This is the effect you’re now having on Europe and that is a terrifying thought.”
Louis defended the Jedward-like lads saying: “Simon they’re entertaining. Everybody loves them here.” Ah, ever the optimist Louis.
The deciding vote was down to Cheryl and she said… qui! Not another year of Ghostbusters and quiffs please!
The next act certainly caused a Storm at the auditions (sorry).
Storm Lee, who was born in Edinburgh and currently lives in Los Angeles, took to the stage.
Storm admitted: “I have been trying to make it in this business for maybe 25 years. This competition could change my life…
“Someone said lately, if you want to get hit by lightning, you have to stand in the rain. And I really believe that – I feel like I’ve been standing in the rain for 25 years.”
Louis asked: “Did you travel from Los Angeles?”
37 year old Storm said: “I took a train, two planes, a bus and three taxis to be here.”
Simon asked: “Storm, what’s your real name?”
Storm replied “Storm Lee Gardner”, before admitting he had changed it when he was 16.
Simon wasn’t impressed with Storm’s interesting choice of name or his performance of Every Breath You Take by Sting.
He obviously saw something in the singer though and told him to sing another song like he had never sung before.
Storm / Lee launched into a rousing rendition of U2’s Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For and Simon was spotted singing along.
After much deliberation about his name, Storm thundered his way through to Boot Camp. Hurrah!
Ruth Anne St Luce’s cheeky wink to Simon and soulful rendition of Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, saw her earn her place in Boot Camp, as did 20 year old John and 29 year old Elesha Moses.
In Birmingham, Liam Payne, was first up. Look familiar?
Liam auditioned for The X Factor in 2008 and made it through to Simon’s house. Failing to get any further, he took two years out before deciding he was ready for a second shot at stardom. A brave move, but one that certainly paid off.
The 16 year old performed a stunning rendition of Michael Buble’s version of Cry Me A River and was put through to Boot Camp following a unanimous decision and a standing ovation from Simon and Natalie Imbruglia. First tears of the night in our office! An early favourite? We think so.
Stunning Cheryl Cole lookalike, Cher Lloyd was next to impress the judges.
With a name like that, Cher certainly had a lot to live up too and Louis asked: “Are you called Cher because of Cher the singer?”
16 year old Cher replied: “I think so. I’m not sure. I think that’s why my mum called me Cher.”
She performed complicated track Turn My Swag On by Soulja Boy and blew the judges away, in particular Cheryl Cole.
The Geordie judge said: “You are right up my street! You are actually my favourite audition so far. Little bit of attitude there, I like it.”
Praise indeed and with that, Cher is swaggering her way to Boot Camp. Is Cher about to follow in her namesake’s footsteps?
Keri Arrindel will be joining Cher after her performance of Midnight Train to Georgia earmed her four ‘yes’s’. Opera singer Wagner and ‘action figure’ Justin Vanderhyde also made it through.
Treyc Cohen auditioned last year but her performance of You’ve Got The Love on tonight's show saw Simon tell her she got 3142 yes’s, seeing her through to the next round.
What a talented week. Who’s been you’re favourite act so far? Have you spotted any potential winners yet? Use our comment system to tell us.
X-TRA TASTY
