Mel does seem to genuinely adore him, it is lovely to see

I totally agree about Mel B, she's probably costing him votes because of her ways but she's genuinely taken by him & fiercely defends him/looks after him.
I have noticed her struggling to hold her emotions back while commenting on Andrea the past 2 or 3 weeks, she's very passionate about him.
And I have to say that though she's very likely costing him votes I wouldn't swap her for all the other judges put together, least of all SYCO & Louis!

I absolutely agree with you there. I don't think Mel will be getting invited to judge again next year, but I genuinely think she's put it all on the line for Andrea, and put him ahead of her own career prospects. You could especially see that in the bottom two week. I don't mind Cheryl and Louis, but at the end of the day there is no way in a million years they would put any contestant as priority over themselves.

As for Simon I honestly think he's a little confused by both Mel & Andrea. They just haven't got personalities Simon can understand, and I'm not even particularly trying to have a go at Simon here. Andrea is all about singing for the love of singing, not singing so he can be famous or make a ton of cash or be heat magazine's torso of the week or whatever, and he doesn't want to diet or wear cool clothes even though that would work in his favor. He wants to be himself, and Mel genuinely loves him and wants to help him, and at all costs to herself will defend him. Mel said how much she shouted and screamed at Simon that week. He's probably baffled, why would she do this for what he would see as 'just another contestant', when she could have just done what she was told and returned next year?

I wonder whether Simon has developed a kind of sneaking admiration for them both now...That handshake was probably quite significant from Simon this week...But it remains to be seen.

I'm trying not to get too optimistic, but as other posters have said, there is a change in the air about Andrea now, and at the moment things are looking very hopeful.
Goodnight Fanstinis X

Hi Fanstinis,

There's been a couple of stories today about 'X Factor bosses' ordering Andrea and Ben (Ben?) to loose weight for the final. Mind you this is probably another completely nonsensical story, as we have a few quotes from 'an unnamed source from the sun.'

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/x...andrea-4737570

Personally I don't want Andrea loosing weight. He looks cute as he is!
On the plus side, it could mean that producers want him in the final.

This is the idea of seeing them both as potential pop stars which Andrea is not!!!...he needs to be doing what he does best. ..and that is to sing as soulfully as he doing at present! !! What does he want to be worrying about his weight at this short notice for? ????

Andrea should say I am on a diet the seafood one I see food and eat it

About the 'ordering Ben and Andrea to lose weight'...I don't think they would say anything like that to a female contestant? Especially a teenager like Lauren, as it could trigger anorexia off (wasn't that how Lena Zavaroni started with it?).

Also, it seems a bit late to diet and hit the gym when the final is only two weeks away

A nice pic of Andrea with Alexandra

Alexandra Burke @alexandramusic · Nov 30
AB X AF !!

❤️

Supporting my girl @officialmelb this year! 🙏 http://instagram.com/p/wB3oJhv_Q_/

Story so far

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/x...andrea-4385436


I didn't know that

Thanks for that article. Wow, makes you wonder if he was joking when he said he would have considered X Factor China on Loose Women! I would love to hear him speak Chinese!
I'm loving Alexandra's support.

Regarding the diet thing, did anyone notice on the Chandelier artwork the pic had been taken from an angle so he would appear thinner? Honestly, I don't want Andrea changing one bit, but it shows the team are considering the chance he could win.

Also I saw on the main board that there's talk of changing one of the themes for Christmas songs? Surely far too late in the week for that? Probably twitter nonsense.

Another Chart update!

28, 128 - Chandelier - Sia
107 - Chandelier - Andrea

I can't believe how long he's stayed in the itunes 200! That song had serious impact!

He was at Uni studying oriental studies when he auditioned - on his instagram there is a lovely page of neatly written Chinese writing that he did for homework

I am worried about the song choice change at the last minute too - hope he doesn't get given something cheesy and awful - Mariah Carey 'All I Want For Xmas' springs to mind If that happens, I think we can definitely assume sabotage...

I thought 'All I Want For Christmas' might go to Lauren

I'd like to hear Andrea sing 'O Holy Night' - Rhydian sang that

The finalists are on Chatty Man tomorrow night

Andrea Faustini retweeted
Alan Carr Chatty Man @chattyman · 9h 9 hours ago
WHO WILL WIN?! @AndreaFaustini1 @FleurEast @laurenplatt7 @Bhaenow discuss @TheXFactor on #chattyman this Fri!! Sam x

Hi Fantstinis!

So is the the theme change confirmed? Well, I do wonder why they've done that but I don't actually think they are trying to sabotage him after last week, but we'll see on Saturday I suppose.

Did anyone see that Louis article today. When asked if Lauren would go out this weekend he replied 'Absolutely Yeah.' So if Louis sticks to supporting Andrea this can only be good news if they keep the bottom two on Sunday.

And thanks for the info regarding Chatty Man. I'll stick it on the planner.

Video clip

Andrea Faustini retweeted
TalkTalk X Factor @TalkTalkXFactor · 5h 5 hours ago
We caught up with @AndreaFaustini1 in the TalkTalk VIP room: http://youtu.be/k2rEt2H3_QI

He likes fish and chips and apple crumble with custard - he doesn't sound like a man on a diet

He says 'Fish and Chips' without a hint of an Italian accent

That was adorable. This must be an old video they forgot to upload last week.
If we believe what the tabloids are printing there will be no more apple crumbles for Andrea.

Nor custard

Article about Lauren, but it shows Lauren, Fleur and Andrea.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...n-rumours.html

Surely he must style himself - he looks really smart with black suit and dickie bow, white shirt...and white trainers

He looks really lovely. Who doesn't love bow ties? Bow ties are cool.
I can't believe Friday has come around already! Song choices tomorrow, can't wait for that!

It really makes me sad to see the Andrea bashing on the main X Factor forum He really does seem to be an act that generates strong opinions either way - a lot of people love him, but a lot of people also seem to really dislike him

For me personally, he is one of the only X Factor contestants I have ever cared enough about to vote for, and he is the ONLY one whose album I would ever buy or who I would ever go and see in concert. I think he has a unique, powerful, passionate voice and a lovely personality - what's not to like?! I know that he has had some naff song choices (if compared to what the general public listen to now days), but not only is that not his fault, he also has sung them really well any way.

All the 'technical' musical theory arguments about why he apparently doesn't sing as well as people think, mean nothing if people like the way he sings anyway! It just makes me want to vote for him more to be honest!

Totally agree with everything you say, he is the only contestant that I have ever got invested in too. There is just something about his voice, just can't explain it in words enough. Plus the fact that he is adorable helps too Haters are always going to hate and always seem to be the loudest lol , but he does have some depth to his support on here which is good to see.

The 'technical musical theory arguments', I dont care what key he sings in or if he warbles lol his voice and passion makes me want to listen. Someone could sing pitch perfect but without the passion behind it I wouldn't necessarily want to listen. Andrea sings perfect to my ears

I suspect a lot of the hate has got more to do with them seeing him as a threat probably the main threat to their chosen act!
How many start their slating with something like "there's no doubting he can sing but" is laughable!

O Holy Night it is

Ok Fanstinis so it's...
Oh Holy Night - Mariah Carey & Wrecking Ball - Miley Cyrus

Personally I'm very happy, again he's doing a more traditional song and a contemporary one and that combo worked so well last week. So I think we are in for another great week Fanstinis! Lets hope so anyway.

I loved Rhydian doing O Holy Night so can't wait to hear Andrea

I don't know the second song so looks like a trip to YoTube

Actually I do know it once I heard it

The songs seem to suit him, so I hope it's enough to see him through to the following week

Twitter:

Andrea Faustini retweeted
The X Factor @TheXFactor · Dec 3
Add SkypeXFactorChat on #Skype for a chance to join an exclusive group chat with @AndreaFaustini1 T&Cs apply #ad

Andrea Faustini @AndreaFaustini1 · 7h 7 hours ago
At #TheCosmos wearing @lanvinofficial and adidas styled by @vix_121 @sheppardstyle http://instagram.com/p/wOEGE_SZjd/