X Factor’s Nicole Scherzinger picks her boys to take to Judges’ Houses
James Hughes, Niall Sexton, Matt Terry, Freddy Parker, Nate Simpson, Christian Burrows are on their way to France
THE X Factor’s Nicole Scherzinger has chosen her six boys that will be heading to her Judges’ House to try and win a place on the live shows.
James Hughes, Niall Sexton, Matt Terry, Freddy Parker, Nate Simpson, Christian Burrows wowed the former Pussycat Doll enough to secure their seat on the plane to France.
But there’ll be no partying or soaking up the sights and sounds of the Riviera for these fellas as they will have to work hard to impress Miss Scherzy and DJ Calvin Harris, who will be in the South of France to help her choose her final three acts.
Tonight saw 10 boys who made it through Bootcamp last weekend, take to the stage at the SSE Arena, Wembley in London.
First up was Mike Hough, 25, who was given the first seat after he sang Whitney Houston’s I Have Nothing.
Nicole said: “I’m a little disappointed, you have to have a really big voice or flip it to make it your own.”
She then asked him to sing her something a cappella and he belted out and Stevie Wonder’s Superstition which she said, “you didn’t even blink, go and take a seat over there.”
Will Rush, 21, sang his own song but it left the judges cold and he wasn’t offered a seat after an aghast Nicole held her hand up and told him: “I respect you, you’re a songwriter, you know what you want to do.
“I’ve made my decision, I’m sorry, it’s not going to be enough.”
James Hughes landed himself the second seat after his version of Tina Turner’s Proud Mary, which got Nicole up and dancing, while Niall Sexton, 22, sang Snow Patrol’s Run and got the third seat.
Seat 4 went to Conor McGinty, who sang U2’s Breaking Wave, while Matt Terry got the fifth seat with his version of Bruno Mars’s When I Was Your Man.
Nicole told him she didn’t think it was the best song for him as it was too high so he tried a half step lower and she said: “Matt, I’m not going to lie, I thought it was going to be a little better, buddy.”
But she added: “You have unbelievable range, but you’re not safe. I believe in you, can you take a seat over there.”
Italian student Luca Valenti, 17, took the sixth seat with his rendition of Jess Glynne’s Take Me Home, even though Nicole told him he wasn't the strongest vocalist.
With the seats now all gone, it was now up to those waiting in the wings to see if they could nab one.
And Freddy Parker did, and was given Connor’s chair after wowing Nicole as he sang Calvin Harris’s How Deep Is Your Love, but he was then asked by Nicole to sing another song while playing the piano.
After he did a rendition of Amy Winehouse’s Love Is A Losing Game, she said: “There’s not any seats left… Freddie it’s too much of a risk – a risk that I have to take so I’m going to give you a seat!”
Mike was then forced to give up his seat for Nate Simpson who also sang Leona Lewis’s cover of Snow Patrol’s Run – which proved to be a popular choice for contestants tonight – and for which he got a standing ovation and prompted Simon to tell him it was the best performance of the boys so far.
Christian Burrows was the last boy on, sang Michael Buble’s cover of Nina Simone’s Feeling Good, which he belted out at the top of his lungs and got Nicole and the audience on their feet.
Nicole then decided to have as sing-off between him and Matt who she said needed to sing for his seat.
Hugging Christian, Matt then launched into Little Mix’s Secret Love Song which helped him keep his seat. But it was the end of the road for Luca who had to give his up for Christian.
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