Who’s in, and who’s out?
That’s what “The X Factor” will determine on Tuesday’s show, when judges narrow the field of contestants from 32 to 16. Those 16 will then go on to the live episodes, where they were compete for a $5 million recording contract.
But first we’ve got to get to that 16, and some tough cuts will have to be made.
Here are my predictions for who’ll make the cut and who will get the axe on Tuesday’s show.
THE GIRLS
This is the toughest category, and the hardest to pin down. But here goes.
IN: Rugby bruiser Caitlyn Koch, nervous nelly Jazzlyn Little, cute as a whipper-snapper Rachel Crow, Bieber-obsessed Drew Ryniewicz.
OUT: Tora Woloshin (not memorable enough), Simone Battle (overconfident), Melanie Amaro (too bland, but could slide into Crow’s spot if the judges decide to go for raw talent over cute) and, in a shocker, Simon’s pet project Tiah Tolliver (although this is Simon’s show, so you never know).
THE BOYS
Again, a toughie, but let’s give it a whirl.
IN: Hard luck case Chris Rene, handsome crooner Phillip Lomax, pint-size rapper Brian “Astro” Bradley, Vanilla Ice-lookalike Nick Voss.
OUT: Brennin Hunt (not to worry, he’ll be cast on a soap opera within a month), Tim Cifers (not distinctive enough), Marcus Canty (lacks starpower) and Skyelor Anderson (too unpolished).
OVER 30s
What at first seemed like it may be a throwaway category is looking much stronger than expected.
IN: “Burrito maker” (does he make anything besides burritos? Surely he does. Maybe quesadillas, too?) Josh Krajcik, Stacy “I don’t wanna die with this music inside me” Francis, wedding DJ (and awesome name owner) Tiger Budbill, 60-and-not-looking-a-day-over-40 LeRoy Bell.
OUT: Christa Collins (barely got any airtime), Elaine Gibbs (it was either her or Francis, and Francis has a better story), James Kenney (though he could play David Cook in a made-for-TV movie!), and Dexter Haygood (who, if he somehow makes it, will be based on sympathy alone).
GROUPS
The weakest category. No wonder they gave it to Paula.
IN: The terribly named Stereo Hoggz, the even more terribly named The Anser, the Judges’ hodgepodge InTENsity, the Bieber-haired brother duo the Brewer Boys.
OUT: 4Shore (bad name), 2squar’d (really bad name), Illusion/ Confusion (now they’re just messing with me), Lakoda Rayne (ugh! These names!).
Early frontrunners are looking like Chris Rene and Caitlyn Koch, but who knows if they’ll even make the cut? We’ll find out for sure Tuesday night.
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