Alisah Bonaobra was eliminated from “The X Factor UK.” SCREENGRAB
LONDON —Filipina singer Alisah Bonaobra became the sixth act to be voted out of the “The X Factor UK” on Sunday, November 12, after receiving the least number of public votes.
During the weekend’s “George Michael” theme, Alisah sang the late singer’s emotional ballad, “Praying for Time,” receiving huge praise from judges Nicole Scherzinger, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne, Alisah’s mentor.
Nicole, who gave Alisah a standing ovation, called her “a Disney warrior princess,” and Louis called her a “Filipino tigress.”
However, Alisah received criticism from judge and show boss, Simon Cowell, for still being too “old-fashioned” — a comment which has cropped up time and again during the season.
Simon said: “I knew you were going to sing that song well. Here’s my only issue: this is not going to move the dial. There was too much cream in the coffee. Every time you do these songs it’s very old-fashioned. I still don’t feel you’ve nailed your version of a song.”
He added: “Right now [Alisah’s] heading to headline weddings.”
“X Factor UK” applauding Alisah Bonaobra. SCREENGRAB
Sharon defended her mentee, Alisah, against Simon’s criticism, telling her: “You connected with this song! Sometimes it’s good to be old fashioned, are you going to break into rap every week? You be you!”
‘One-trick pony’ controversy
Throughout the competition, powerhouse singer Alisah was repeatedly criticized for being too “cabaret” and “karaoke” without bringing any original twist to the songs.
The competition was tough this year, with a large number of contestants performing original songs, creating their own arrangements to stamp their style on a song, and playing their own instruments.
During boot camp, Alisah was initially rejected, but after pleading for the judges to reconsider, she impressed them by belting out an a capella performance of Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together” and was put through to the Six-Chair Challenge.
At the Six-Chair Challenge, despite flooring the audience with a powerful rendition of Celine Dion’s “All By Myself,” Alisah was eliminated by Sharon until an angry crowd called for her to be brought back to go to Judges Houses.
During Judges Houses, Sharon told Alisah that she would have to go home and did not make it to her final three acts. Alisah was later brought back as a wildcard by the public.
Promising future
As the results on Sunday were announced, Girls mentor Sharon Osbourne hugged Alisah and told her that she had done “so well” to get this far in the competition.
After a show reel highlighted Alisah’s best moments on the show, Alisah said to the show host, Dermot O’Leary: “I never thought I’d go this far, and I can’t believe I just did it, and thank you very much for all your support.”
Host Dermot replied: “We have absolutely loved having you. You’re like a little marine — you didn’t take no for an answer! We wish you the very best of luck.”
This marks Alisah’s fourth and final elimination from the competition.
Here’s to a bright future for the Filipino singer, who can hopefully take advantage of the international platform that the “X Factor UK” has provided.