After a rain delay caused FOX to move The X Factor to Thursday night and Sunday night, the change did not affect Canadian broadcaster CTV who ran the episode in its entirety.
Here’s what to expect tonight if you live south of the border.
The show opened with the the contestants finding out what judge would mentor them. Starting with the girls and Simon Cowell. The Top 8 girls were taken to Cowell’s estate in the South of France. Cowell admitted “this was the category that I wanted.” There was a heavy focus on Rachel Crow. Simon also said “the winner was in this category.”
In Santa Barbera, California… the groups went to Paula Abdul’s home. Lakoda Rayne (the newly formed group of solo singers) got a big push. Paula Abdul said that she specialized in groups citing work with the Jackson 5 and Duran Duran among her accomplishments.
The Over 30’s were in Malibu at the home of Nicole Scherzinger. Nicole said she liked working with the Over 30’s because they have ‘lived a life’ and have a ‘story to tell.’ Nicole said she was the hardest worker and she has been where they are and knows what it takes to make it.
The boys went to the Hamptons in New York to the estate of LA Reid.
The mentors introduced the guest judges. Nicole brought out Enrique Iglesias. Paula brought out Pharrell. Simon was supposed to bring out Mariah Carey but she was grounded because of Hurricane Irene. LA Reid brought out Rihanna. (LA Reid was HILARIOUS during this by the way).
Sidenote: Brian added ‘Astro’ to his nickname apparently standing for ‘The Astronomical Kid.’
The judges chose the songs for each of their contestants either with a backing track or straight vocal.
Brian ‘Astro’ Bradley told Rihanna that they would do a ‘collab’ one day (vomit). He rapped “Can’t Hold Me Down.”
Standout performances included:
– Drew Ryniewicz (Simon)
– Stacey Francis (Nicole Scherzinger)
– The Brewer Boys (Paula Abdul)
– The Anser (Paula Abdul) primarily because of the Pink song choice which was phenomenal
