I agree Blondie. I think she's good, but not great. Her audition was good, because how often do you hear a 16 year old singing Janis Joplin? So many people were expecting her to return after her shock exit that it stands to reason the praise would be OTT. She was not the best on the night. She was very good, but Little Mix was better.

The problem with Amelia's performance last night for me was not the quality of her singing (I'm not a fan, but I admit she can sing. Those high notes were a tad painful though), but the song. It was obviously chosen for the winner of the phone vote, and it was so schmaltzy and contrived it was ridiculous. The Show Must Go On was written by Freddie Mercury whilst he was suffering the effects of HIV but still working and performing. It's a powerful, emotional song and the fact that it was used to somehow tell the story of 'the forgotten finalist' returning to glory just made me cringe. I felt sorry for Amelia having to sing it. There was no way she could even attempt to connect emotionally with the lyrics at her age.

I'm not saying it's not true. These vocal acrobatic singers often lack emotional connections to the songs they sing, however the way some of the forum members come off about it makes it seem like they're just nit-picking because an artist they can't stand is good.

Having an emotional connection with a song is a vital componant of any performance. It isn't 'nit-picking' to criticise Amelia for that. It would have been helpful for the judges to have pointed that out to her, and suggest that she work on it for next week (assuming she's still in).

[quote=IsThisNameFree9;54532938]Agree. I found it too West End-yQUOTE]

How many West End musicals have you been to? I've been to loads and she definitely was NOT West End-y. West End performers sing (not shout) in tune with feeling and emotion, and they in effect act the songs they are singing. Which is everything that Amelia didn't do.

[quote=Andybear;54534072]
^^^
This!

Once more with feeling

Misha is constantly criticised on this forum for having no connection emotionally to what she sings, even though she hasn't been given an emotional song to sing. Amelia's song was a big emotional song that actually no one should have sang for a "comeback" song, as was stated in a post above.

The thing is Allison Iraheta did the same thing on American Idol, but better, at the same age. Amelia looks too manufactured and not genuine like a proper stage school kid.

Why does she insist on using Jordan's make up artist, far too much slap for a 16 year old.

Allison looked more like a legit performer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP4mZ6-oZYY

This, she looks really dated. I know everyone's been extremely quick to jump on anyone who dares to make a comment about a finalists appearance this year, but surely some people must agree that Amelia's 'style' does often detract from her performance? It gives people the wrong impression, its been said a few times on various threads in various different ways. Even if she hadn't been seen cavorting with Frankie or made discouraging comments about the X Factor after getting the boot, she'd still look completely overdone. If nothing else it makes me think she cares more about her appearance than her performance, thus giving me the impression that singing isn't top of her agenda after all and she's just using the X Factor to boost her profile.

[quote=Andybear;54534072]
People say that because simon used to say "that's very theatre" and the likes as an insult, as if existing in west end or broadway productions is < being recording artist.

As if it's where failed recording artists go.

Then sheeple follow it as gospel, even though it's one of those flippant, throwaway comments that's based on nothing.

There are many a listers who cross over between film, tv or albums and theatre and get involved with big productions. Which says all you need to know really.

I mostly agree with this. She does remind me of Karaoke Kitty in that she comes across as trying to show how dramatic she can be rather than genuinely connecting wityh a lyric,and how intensely she can perform instead of giving a genuine performance,but I think this can be easily improved and worked on.

I thought she was one of the best acts tonight overall.Only Little Mix ws better,and Misha and Craig as good.