This article sums up my prediction almost expertly:
http://www.chickendinner.co.uk/home/...al_twelve.html
Quote:
“THE GIRLS
Alexandra
Like the biblical tale of one man overcoming actual death, Alexandra's story is a bit like Lazarus'. There she was, back in 2005, living the dream, only for Louis to callously snatch it away from her at his penthouse in Ireland. But now she's in the final twelve, and she's an absolutely brilliant singer. Might yet prove to be Whitney to Leona Lewis' Mariah. The one to beat.
Laura
Laura has a massive face and a voice so powerful that even the immovable women of Bolton will momentarily cease scrubbing their front steps to hear her sing. That said, she lacks the same commercial appeal of Alexandra, so might find herself relying on the "cool" vote, which doesn't really exist on this show. Leona aside, not a single girl has made it past week five.
Diana
As mentioned, girls don't do well. Seventeen individuals have featured in the X Factor final since 2004 and only two of them have been female - Leona Lewis (winner, series three), and Sarah Smith (Same Difference, last year). That leaves Cheryl with just an 11.7 per cent chance of even making the top three. Diana, with her weedy folk voice, probably won't make sense to people expecting a roaring competition.
BOYS
Austin
Like Leon last year, Austin is totally incapable of making it through a single sentence without bursting into tears. It's weird. That said, of the boys, he is the only one who can really belt it out, so should be guaranteed a spot at the finals – like Leon (winner, 2007), Ray (runner up, 2006), Shane (winner, 2005), and Tabby (third, 2004).
Eoghan
This young Irish child looks about eight, but has the straight-faced demeanour of a middle aged man who has seen too much. On the plus side for Eoghan, he will rule the Irish vote - which served the Conway Sisters so well in series two, when they defied the odds and made it to the seventh week. On the downside, he doesn't sing, he whispers.
Scott
Why Cowell chose Scott over Mali-Michael McCalla (who should have made it on name alone) is a mystery. He's rubbish. An ex-Pontins worker who left his job to pursue his dream, in a cruel twist of irony, he will surely be near the bottom of the bill on a Pontins poster come panto season.
OVER 25s
Rachel
Oh, she's got the thrilling backstory. Five kids, crack addiction, prison. Now this should serve as some kind of redemption, winning the X Factor. Unfortunately, when push comes to shove, the kind of doddery old nanas who vote for this thing are much more likely to pick up the phone for the wholesome lass from Bolton over the gobby jailbird who keeps telling Simon to get knotted before instantly apologising and slapping herself playfully on the wrist.
Ruth
Sultry and Spanish, Ruth is the woman equivalent of Enrique Iglesias, and she will surely spend her time singing Spanglish hybrids until everyone finally gets bored and doesn't find her sexy any more. This audience is seriously xenophobic, and only Chico (fifth, series two) has been taken to their hearts - just because he was bit like Manuel from Falty Towers.
Daniel
X Factor viewers simply can't stand old people, hence why Daniel's fellow over-25s are literally 25 and 26. At 38, the guy is a geriatric! And, dare we say it, but the moment he runs out of songs that sound like they were written for his dead wife, he's toast.
GROUPS
JLS
These guys seem popular with the judges and decent at singing, so could yet become the new Damage (remember them?). Only one band, G4 (silly, operatic) has ever made it to the final two.
Bad Lashes
These chicks might look like they're about to offer you a haircut or invite you into a nightclub, but actually they're really edgy. They proved that by singing things like Wonderwall in their auditions. Being from the North East, they should be guaranteed the disgruntled Toon Army vote.
Girlband
Presumably named as an homage to the Bristol post-punk band The Pop Group, these babes are also from the West Country. On the downside this programme churns out bubbly girl bands like this by the bucket load. Remember Addictiv Ladies? Voices with Soul? Hope? Of course you don't.”
Interesting stuff about the % of females that make it to the final stages of the competition - completely backs my idea that males get the most votes purely because of their 'hotness'.
