Sophie Habibis slated for her 'dull as dishwater' performance as Rhythmix become Little Mix

Saturday, October 29, 2011

'A secretary who sings at the weekend': Sophie Habibis slated for her 'dull as dishwater' performance as Rhythmix become Little Mix... and scary creepy dolls



By Georgina Littlejohn

Last updated at 12:03 AM on 30th October 2011




She's had it tough since getting through to the live finals of the X Factor competition and moaned that she wasn't getting enough attention like her fellow contestants.

But unfortunately for Sophie Habibis, tonight's performance on the Halloween special of the X Factor did give her some attention - but for all the wrong reasons.

The 19-year-old barmaid from north west London was the third act to take to the stage tonight with her own spooky rendition of Nancy Sinatra's Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down).

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Spooky, sultry and sexy: Sophie Habibis sang Nancy Sinatra's Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) on tonight's X Factor Halloween special
Spooky, sultry and sexy: Sophie Habibis sang Nancy Sinatra's Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) on tonight's X Factor Halloween special

She looked sensational with her dark hair piled up on her head and in a skintight outfit with male dancers writhing behind her.

But sadly, the song choice reflected her comments as she was indeed shot down by judges Louis Walsh and Gary Barlow.


Scathing: Louis Walsh and Gary Barlow took Sophie's song choice literally and shot her down, calling her a 'secretary who sings on weekends' and 'dull as dishwater'
Scathing: Louis Walsh and Gary Barlow took Sophie's song choice literally and shot her down, calling her a 'secretary who sings on weekends' and 'dull as dishwater'
Scathing: Louis Walsh and Gary Barlow took Sophie's song choice literally and shot her down, calling her a 'secretary who sings on weekends' and 'dull as dishwater'




Upset: Brave Sophie tried to mask her disappointment after Louis and Gary's comments
Upset: Brave Sophie tried to mask her disappointment after Louis and Gary's comments

Louis was first to pass judgement when he told her: 'You're a great singer and a really nice girl but I'm not sure about the song choice.


'There's something missing, I dunno what it is, you're like a secretary who sings at the weekend or something.'

Girl power: Tulisa Contostavlos and Alexandra Burke, who was standing in for Kelly Rowland, gave Sophie a much-needed boost
Girl power: Tulisa Contostavlos and Alexandra Burke, who was standing in for Kelly Rowland, gave Sophie a much-needed boost

Gary was equally as scathing and despite telling her she was 'one of the best singers left in the competition', he added: 'This is the fourth week running you've chosen to sing a weary dreary ballad - your song choices are as dull as dishwater.'

Tulisa Contostavlos, however, was very complimentary and said, 'You nailed it. you went for it and you're finding your own tone', and Alexandra Burke, was was standing in for a sick Kelly Rowland, added: 'I'll keep it real, there was some slight tuning problem but doesn't take from the fact you are a beautiful performer.'


Swinging around: Little Mix, formerly known as Rhythmix, took to the stage dressed as creepy rag dolls
Swinging around: Little Mix, formerly known as Rhythmix, took to the stage dressed as creepy rag dolls


Dolly girls: Little Mix's jerky dance moves suited their look perfectly
Dolly girls: Little Mix's jerky dance moves suited their look perfectly

It wasn't a bad night for all the girls though, especially the girl-group formerly known as Rhythmix, who tonight debuted their new name - Little Mix - after they were forced to change it after a children's charity with the same name requested they did.

It had also been a tough week for member Jesy who had been on the end of some very negative criticism and comments about her weight and her looks, which had reduced her to tears.


Bad week: Jesy (far left) was seen getting upset as Tulisa and Louis comforted her and told her not to listen to her haters
Bad week: Jesy (far left) was seen getting upset as Tulisa and Louis comforted her and told her not to listen to her haters

They came on stage with a new name and a spooky new look as they took their places for their rendition of Katy Perry's E.T and dressed and made up to look like scary rag dolls, their harmonies were sharp and their jerky dance moves in time and in keeping with their creepy look.

And not only did the judges sing their praises, with Gary telling them it was a 'great song choice' and Alexandra telling them there was a 'space in the market' for them but Tulisa and Louis reassured and comforted Jesy, who was visibly upset after the performance.


'Smashed it': The Risk, who were debuting new member Ashford, opened the show will their version of Michael Jackson's Thriller
'Smashed it': The Risk, who were debuting new member Ashford, opened the show will their version of Michael Jackson's Thriller

Louis told her, 'Jesy, don't read the negative things people are just jealous because you're on the X Factor', and Tulisa added: 'Jesy, it takes a lot to speak up and am proud of you. Girls, the performance was amazing you did something different tonight that's never been done before.'

First up on the show tonight were The Risk, who were debuting their new member Ashford Campbell after Ashley J. Baptiste quit this week, and performed Michael Jackson's Thriller, which delighted the judges and were told they had 'smashed' their performance.

Audience favourite Johnny Robinson was up next and ditched the camp fun glamour for a more serious look as he came on and stood by a piano for his version of Billie Holiday's That Old Devil Called Love.


That old devil called Johnny: Mr Robinson performed a version of Ella Fitzgerald's classic song
That old devil called Johnny: Mr Robinson performed a version of Ella Fitzgerald's classic song




Can't contain himself: Johnny couldn't believe his luck when Gary came up on stage to give him a hug and a kiss
Can't contain himself: Johnny couldn't believe his luck when Gary came up on stage to give him a hug and a kiss
Can't contain himself: Johnny couldn't believe his luck when Gary came up on stage to give him a hug and a kiss

After his performance, Gary got up from his chair, hugged Johnny and gave him a kiss on the cheek, much to the Londoner's delight and excitement.

The Take That star told him: 'That's it, it's that simple that's all you needed to do, you're not a novelty act, you're a great singer.'

Tulisa told him: 'You finally got to sing a ballad and you sung it well. Louis, you've been hiding his skills for too long. I loved it. Johnny, I thought you were very very sexy tonight.'


He's got it all: Marcus Collins's performance of Stevie Wonder's Superstition wowed the judges
He's got it all: Marcus Collins's performance of Stevie Wonder's Superstition wowed the judges




Alexandra added: 'Great song choice, you sung your little heart out and I love you, you bring the fun to the X Factor, you are very special', and his own mentor, Louis, added: 'We could be in Ronnie Scotts listening to a world wide jazz singer, you nailed it.'

After Sophie was Marcus Collins, who sang Stevie Wonder's Superstition mashed up with I Need You Tonight by INXS, wearing dark eye make up and surrounded by dancers.


Louis told him, 'Every week you bring it, you're happy, you can sing, you can dance - Marcus, you've got everything', while Tulisa added: 'You really nailed the Halloween thing tonight, you look like you were having fun and when you do, everyone else does too.'


Strutting her stiff: Misha B came out to a funky rendition of Soft Cell's Tainted Love
Strutting her stiff: Misha B came out to a funky rendition of Soft Cell's Tainted Love




Diva: Misha rocked a Grace Jones style look for her performance
Diva: Misha rocked a Grace Jones style look for her performance
Diva: Misha rocked a Grace Jones style look for her performance

Alexandra told him he had a 'great look' and his proud mentor Gary added: 'You totally delivered, mate, well done.'

Up next was the self-proclaimed diva Misha B, who has made the headlines this week after Tulisa and Louis accused her of backstage bullying on last week's show.

But her head - and her hair - held high, she came out sporting a Grace Jones style quiff and sang a throaty version of Soft Cell's Tainted Love.


Haunting: Throaty Irish singer Janet Devlin sang her own version of The Police's Every Breath You Take
Haunting: Throaty Irish singer Janet Devlin sang her own version of The Police's Every Breath You Take




Louis told her she was a 'rare talent vocally' while Alexandra said she never disappointed vocally but she wanted to see more of her.

Gary told her she was 'out of the stratosphere' while Tulisa apologised for last week and said: 'You were born a star and everything I say to you is because I want you to be the best you can be.'

Irish singer Janet Devlin was up next and sang her rendition of The Police's Every Breath You Take, which Louis said he found 'very haunting'.


Cocky? Frankie Cocozza performed The Clash song Should I Stay Or Should I go surrounded by female dancers....
Cocky? Frankie Cocozza performed The Clash song Should I Stay Or Should I go surrounded by female dancers....




... but the judges said they were concerned about his off-stage antics and that he wasn't taking the competition seriously
... but the judges said they were concerned about his off-stage antics and that he wasn't taking the competition seriously

Alexandra said she did a 'fantastic job' and she wanted to 'cuddle' her, Tulisa said she loved her energy but Gary said he was concerned that everyone knew what to expect from her and hoped the public would stay interested.

It was then the turn of ladies man Frankie Cocozza who decided to make his grand entrance through the audience surrounded by screaming girls to perform The Clash's Should I Stay or Should I Go.

But there were mixed reviews from the judges as Louis told him, 'you've got your swagger back but you're always gonna be known for your antics off stage than on stage.'


Spinning around: Kitty Brucknell came out on stage on a magician's wheel
Spinning around: Kitty Brucknell came out on stage on a magician's wheel




Cabaret: Despite the judges singing her praises, Alexandra stirred the pot and got into a mini spat with Louis after she said Kitty could fall into the cabaret genre
Cabaret: Despite the judges singing her praises, Alexandra stirred the pot and got into a mini spat with Louis after she said Kitty could fall into the cabaret genre
Cabaret: Despite the judges singing her praises, Alexandra stirred the pot and got into a mini spat with Louis after she said Kitty could fall into the cabaret genre

Alexandra told him she had a problem with him because she didn't think he was taking it seriously but Gary jumped to his act's defence and said: 'Don't worry, she's only here for one night. I think we found the sweet spot with you tonight.'

It was then the act that most had been waiting for and it came in the shape of Kitty Brucknell, who had decided to open her performance spinning round on a magician's wheel as she sang the Eurythmics classic Sweet Dreams dressed in a sexy ringmaster's costume.


She's only been here five minutes! The former X Factor winner tried to put Louis in his place after Kitty's song
She's only been here five minutes! The former X Factor winner tried to put Louis in his place after Kitty's song

Tulisa told her: 'Every week you pull a new trick out the bag, you are the most inventive, and for me you're the least manufactured, you bring yourself to the stage.'

Gary told her he was glad that she had brushed off coming in the bottom two last week and added: There's definitely this flavour with you, people either love you or hate you and what they hate you for - being a diva, the ferocious ambition - that's what I love your for.'

And Alexandra added: 'You've got some pipes on you, you are very entertaining but worry it could come across slightly cabaret' - a comment that caused her to have a mini row with Kitty's mentor Louis Walsh.


Performance of the night: Gary praised his act Craig Colton for his version of Adele's Set Fire To The Rain
Performance of the night: Gary praised his act Craig Colton for his version of Adele's Set Fire To The Rain

And last but not least of the ten acts remaining was Craig Colton, who sang Adele's Set Fire To The Rain which his mentor Gary simply said was 'the performance of the night'.

Louis told him: 'A great musical performer, everyone's voting in Liverpool tonight, you are now a contender.'

Tulisa added: 'This guy could sell albums but my only criticism is I'm starting to find it a bit predictable, I want you to shock me and do something different.'