Billboard requires a JavaScript enabled browser to get the full experience

'X Factor': Rihanna, Pharrell, Enrique Get Tough Before Eliminations

by Sarah Maloy, Ohio  |   October 17, 2011 11:10 EDT
Ray Mickshaw/FOX

Artists in this Article

Paula Abdul
David Bowie
Bob Dylan
Enrique Iglesias
Backstreet Boys
Pharrell Williams
Simon Cowell
Nicole Scherzinger
Rihanna
Queen

The second "Judges' Homes" episode of "X Factor" aired last night (Oct. 16), and the last of the 32 contestants performed before the judges and their celeb guests -- Rihanna (with L.A. Reid in the Hamptons), Pharrell (joining Paula Abdul in Santa Barbara), and Enrique Iglesias (with Nicole Scherzinger in Malibu). Judging without a celebrity guest in France, Simon Cowell discussed each contestant's fate with vocal coaches and host Steve Jones.

 

'X Factor' Ups the Ante With Guest Judges Rihanna, Enrique, Pharrell

 

Tomorrow, 16 of the 32 contestants (those who performed last night plus the 16 who sang on Thursday, Oct. 13) will be eliminated and the remaining 16 will move on to the final live rounds of "X Factor."

 

Kicking off the second day of Judges' Homes auditions was 16-year-old Jazzlyn Little. As with the rest of her auditions, she was nervous and self-conscious, but when she began to sing, it was like a flip had switched. She belted "I Will Survive" with the confidence of a seasoned pop star.

 

Video: Jazzlyn Little, "I Will Survive"

 

Brennin Hunt was the first of the performers in the boys category, singing Corinne Bailey Rae's "Like A Star." He can definitely sing, but his performing was over the top, and Rihanna said, "I think he is beautiful and I think his tone is correct at times, especially when it gets raspy, but he's a little bit corny. He gives me like '90s boy band."

 

Video: Brennin Hunt, "Like A Star"

 

The first group to perform was Stereo Hogzz, singing "Heard It Through The Grapevine." Pharrell described the lead vocalist as "an old Motown guy mixed with Ginuwine today." Pharrell summed up the performance perfectly, saying: "They cant be just one star. They have to be a constellation."

 

Video: Stereo Hogzz, "Heard It Through The Grapevine"

 

Thirty-year-old Josh Krajcik sang Johnny Cash's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." He was good, but it wasn't his best audition. Nicole seems unable to accept that anyone over 30 can be successful, but luckily Enrique is there to reality-check her. The latin singer said that Krajcik was absolutely a star, although "he's not your typical star -- all the glitz and glamour."

 

Video: Josh Krajcik, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"

 

2 Squar'd performed Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" for Paula and Pharrell. The vocals were there but it was dry and boring, and Paula wanted them to "put more soul into it." She said, "It was a little off-beat but they can definitely sing."

 

Video: 2 Squar'd, "Bohemian Rhapsody

 

Country boy Tim Cifers sang Luther Vandross' "Dance With My Father" -- a performance Rihanna praised. "I really liked his voice. He's a real country singer," she said. But Reid was doubtful: "I wanted more. It was good, but I just wanted so much more from him."

 

Video: Tim Cifers, "Dance With My Father"

 

NEXT: Rachel Crow, Leroy Bell, Melanie Amaro & More Perform

 

Up for Discussion

Connect with

More Features

All features

All of Billboard.com's Great Lists

Billboard chart app

Billboard archives

Thanks For Joining Billboard

Log in to create your profile, speak your mind and connect with listeners like you.

Why Join ?

Don't just hear it. Live it. Go deeper than a casual listen: Voice your feelings, build a profile around your favorite music, connect with people who share your passions and discover new ones. Sign up for free.

Complete Your Registration at Billboard.com!

Haven't Joined Yet ?

For the full Billboard experience, you need to be a member. Sign up. It's free.

Join Billboard

Forgot your password?

Enter the e-mail address you used to sign up and we will email you the password .

Email Sent !

Your password has been sent to the email address you provided. Please sign in below :

Log In

Forget your password ?

Action Successful

We'd love to hear your feedback on the new Billboard.com!

Whether it's a feature request or a bug

We want to hear from you. Please use this form to anonymously give us your input.