Possibly. I just think its a coincidence, rather than an obvious racial matter.

Well, if you are going to completely miss the point, it's always best if you have a good vent while doing it.

Nobody is accusing Nicole of being prejudiced against black people. They are more saying that she was worried about the reaction she would have got if she put through 3 black girls. "Favouring her kind" or "No variety" stories and the like. In fact, in Joan_Ferguson's post, we already have someone making that accusation despite the fact that she put Abi through.

Of course, no newspaper would actually state it in those words, they would try to dogwhistle it by using "R&B" as a euphemism for "black" but the intent would be pretty clear. To the people who would believe and repeat those stories, the fact that Nicole is not black wouldn't matter, just being a little dark and a little foreign would be enough.

Brilliant post. Glad someone understand what I was trying to say.

Eaten alive in what way? lol vocally she is not Aretha Franklin but she can sing well enough to make us feel what she is singing about. It is not all about vocal acrobatics. Some people have a nack of making a song very powerful without having to scream and shout and do all the vocal acrobatics ala Mariah carey. She will not be eaten alive.

Whether it is 3 black girls or 3 white girls, you pick your best 3 no matter what - race shouldn't be an issue here

If relley c had made judges houses any other year (apart from the misha b year) she would have made the live shows.

I feel she had the best voice (maybe apart from Hannah who I think will win)

I would like Hannah to win, but a lot will depend on how well she stands up emotionally during the lives.

Interesting OP, I have always assumed that race politics comes into play in X Factor and that Politics with a big P....I also really think that the Judges have very little say and its the Producers who call the shots , remember last year Holloway scuttleing up to Louie in a live tiebreak and Louie changed his mind.

Lets face it the Judges do as they are told otherwise they wont get back again next year. So in effect X Factor is fixed and the auditions are preplanned and meaninless.

Agreed. One thing was lacking at the point Nicole was making her choices. Potential controversy. I too believe that Relley was kicked to allow Tamera through. I believe that Tamera was allowed through because she is already starting to get negative press and this can only boost ratings (they hope !!).

Lets not forget folks that this show is not about finding the best talent. Its about finding that one person who can put more money in the bank than anyone else. And more recently, its about trying to get viewing figures back.

You can only speak for yourself. I don't think it's because you're black, more likely sensitive and self-conscious. I'm not white but the issue of race being a factor in all the selections especially Nicole's never occurred to me once.

My top three girls were Hannah, Tamera and Relley, and I think Nicole's were too. But I think it was variety that the choice was aimed at - as someone else has said, having three girls in your group with a similar style, fighting for similar songs, does not make for a diverse show.

Abi will not be any competition for Hannah or Tamera fans, but Relley would have been - although I personally would have preferred to see Relley every week rather than 'one trick pony' (NS) Abi.

They always put in a 'quirky' girl, with weakish vocals (if you want to judge things that way) but a unique style. They nearly always have a strong following and are popular - though they've yet to pick one that appeals to me. Abi going through was a foregone conclusion. It's the same in every category, there's the 'manufactured' band, the 'personality' in the overs and the young, cute, clean cut boy who may or may not be able to sing well (actually, they sometimes do that one * 3).

I really wish they'd chosen Relley, I loved the sound of her voice.

Me too - those beautiful low register notes.

Relley's tone is much more unique than Abi's. There are millions of Abis who sing with a stupid quirky voice, playing an instrument in an attempt to hide the weak vocals.

I've never heard a voice like Relley's before though.

I would have put Relley into the all girl group Miss Dynamiz instead of Reille.

I wanted her in my top 3 with Tamera and Hannah

That would've been my top 3 too.

I don't see them as all similar, I think they could all have their own style.

Like Tamera I could picture her doing Pop/R&B (Rihanna/Beyoncé).

Hannah does the old school R&B thing, she has the voice for it.

Relley she can do soul, but she done a Chase & Status song at bootcamp and sung Don't You Worry Child for her audition, I could see her working with people like Rudimental, Chase & Status etc, that UK urban dance sound.

That is absolutely correct what you written above and they are actually quite different. Just because they are 3 black girls doesn't mean they will do the same thing

Relley should have been through over Abi IMO .

I agree, just people are quick to put them in a box. I guess it's done now, she can always apply another time. Just annoying coz the girls category was so close to being perfect for me lol.

Yes it was almost perfect for me too
I hope Reilly comes back again - she is very talented