The X Factor Allstars

The 12th season of The X Factor starts on August 29th (also that is my Dad's birthday!). I can't deny - I love The X Factor! I am a fan of both live performances and cringe worthy auditions (plus I also believe Simon and I are to one day destined to be a power couple). This year there are a few changes, it is goodbye to Mel B, Louis Walsh and Dermot O'Leary, and hello to Rita Ora, Nick Grimshaw, Olly Murs and Caroline Flack.

I sometimes don't agree with who should make the live finals, there is always a Gamu or Jade Richards left behind - but more often than not the judges get it right. So as I do I have created a top 10 list of my favourite (and lets face it, everyone's favourite) X Factor contestants.

10. Rebecca Ferguson
Favourite Performance - Make You Feel My Love

9. One Direction

Favourite Performance - Torn

8. Diana Vickers

Favourite Performance - Man In The Mirror

7. Janet Devlin

Favourite Performance - Your Song

6. Ella Henderson

Favourite Performance - Believe

5. James Arthur

Favourite Performance - Make You Feel My Love (w/ Nicole Scherzinger)

4. Cher Lloyd

Favourite Performance - Stay

3. Alexandra Burke

Favourite Performance - Listen (w/ Beyonce)

2. Leona Lewis

Favourite Performance - I Have Nothing

NUMBER ONE

LITTLE MIX

Favourite Performance - Don't Let Go

Of course these four talented Queens are my top pick. Every week they shone, every week they were the highlight and god damn it every week was Little Mix week(except week one, when it was Rythmix week - remember that?). There is a reason why they are the only band to ever win The X Factor! This is something that can't be duplicated, they are pure magic (I know this was a perfect time to say 'Black Magic' but I don't know if that would sound a bit racial). Perrie, Leigh-Anne, Jade and Jesy are my top X Factor picks!

Judging You

There are only a few reasons that we watch reality TV competitions. One being the talent, but lets face facts - we want to see someone get ripped apart by a mean judge. Yes, they are giving them a reality check and will thank them in the long run, but my days does it make good television. And we Brits do it best, just look at countless reality shows around the world and you will find a mean Brit on them. The X Factor has just reared its ugly head again here in the UK and with wide open arms we have welcomed Simon back, he is the man you want to destroy your hopes and dreams. I watch a lot of reality TV competitions from singing to modelling to cooking to SFX make up to tattoos. I have picked my favourite 10 that I feel every judge around the world should aspire to be.

Mary Berry - Great British Bake Off

With her signature phrases like 'soggy bottom' to her killer Zara bomber jackets she is the baking Queen. She is loveable and adorable but isn't afraid to pull a face and tell someone when their cake is too dense. She is everything I hope to be when I am a 79 year old woman.

Jessie J - The Voice UK

She will say until she is blue in the face that she is a mentor not a judge, however that big red button says different, she is judging someone's singing, but whatever I digress. What I love about her is honesty and her knowledge, this girl knows a thing or two about singing and she isn't afraid to let you know.

Mel B - The X Factor (UK and Australia) and America's Got Talent

As a life long Spice Girl's fan I am more than happy to still see Scary on my screen. She is a veteran of the music world so who better to judge up and comers. She is brutally honest to the point where she disregards people's feelings (they need to hear it). Also lets be honest with ourselves she is shitting all over Cheryl in this years X Factor.

Jay Alexander - America's Next Top Model
Why he was ever let go from this show I will never know or begin to understand. Thank the heavens above he is back for Cycle 21. He is the definition of fabulous and has legs that a show pony would kill for. He makes me laugh more than most and I live for his fashion and quips.

Kelly Cutrone - America's Next Top Model
Fist seen as the boss you don't want to mess with on The Hills she was quickly snapped up by Tyra to join ANTM. She was the perfect choice. Honest isn't the word for how she speaks, she has no time for people who aren't right for the job or willing to work. She made me laugh from the first episode this cycle, when asked if she was ready by Tyra she turned around and said 'I'm ready to crush some dreams' - bow down bitches.

Dannii Minogue - The X Factor (UK and Australia), Australia's Got Talent and Britain's Next Top Model
When she was revealed as a judge there were a lot of 'Why?', but she soon shut the doubters up. She is warm, loveable and bursting with personality. She is very honest and very loyal to who she supports. I fell in love with her, and if I had to pick my dream judging panel she would be rubbing shoulders with Simon again in a heartbeat.

Tyra Banks - America's Next Top Model
This show gets weirder and weirder by the cycle, but the constant that keeps this show brilliant is Miss Tyra Banks. She cares, gives great advice and isn't afraid to scream at a girl who won't shut up. It would be hard to top her yelling at Tiffany at judging to top any talent show moment for me.

Simon Cowell - The X Factor (UK and US), Pop Idol and Britain's Got Talent
Not the original but definitely the best. He is the approval I will be searching for for my entire life, even if he enjoyed a coffee I made for him I could die a happy man. I have the weirdest crush on him, his power, confidence and well pressed white shirts just do something to me.

Nicole Sherzinger - The X Factor (UK and US)
I love this woman and hate her for the exact same reasons. She is gorgeous, talented and has a loveable personality to boot - she is everything I aspire to be. When she was brought in to replace Cheryl as a judge on The X Factor US some of us may have been sceptical, however she was the perfect replacement. Love her.

Heidi Klum - Project Runway, Germany's Next Top Model and America's Got Talent
This German beauty has become the opinion on all types of talent and skill. She comes from a view of a normal person, she isn't pretending she knows the ins and outs of everything she is just giving her honest opinion and reaction - she is the model face and body of the view of the general viewing public really. Plus I love her accent, I want a kiss on the cheek with an 'Auf Wiedersehen'.

Return Of The Girlbands

For a while it seemed like Little Mix and The Saturdays were having to hold the fort down when it came to girlbands. However we can now all take a joint sigh of relief - we have some more girlbands breaking through. There has always been a hole in the music industry where girlbands just couldn't make the cut. Ever since the Spice Girls, Sugababes, Pussycat Dolls, Destiny's Child and Girls Aloud all left us to fend for ourselves we have needed a group of females to come out and kick the boyband's arses. Little Mix and The Saturdays have done a dame good job but they need a little help. And lets face it, The Saturday's next album is a Greatest Hits, this is normally the beginning of the end. They will say that they are going on a break and we all know what that means. The Spice Girl's break lasted 7 years and they only came back with one single and one tour, Girls Aloud's break lasted 3 years and they only came back with one single and one tour and Destiny's Child's break is currently on it's 7th year. 

So now we have a bunch of new ladies ready to take the stage. I have shortlisted 4 girlbands that I am quite excited about. Lets go -

Neon Jungle

This british 4 piece have already made waves with two singles in the top 10 and a 3rd released this week already in the iTunes top 10. I like these girls because they have an edge about them. They aren't singing your generic pop music, they have more of a dubstep vibe about them. Although saying that my favourite song so far is 'Louder', its a pop ballad that really showcases their voices. And yes, all four of them can sing. I was a bit unsure of them when I first heard them with their song 'Trouble' as I wasn't quite sure why they were shouting at me, but I have warmed to them in a big way and I am very excited for their album.

M.O

Another british band we should be taking notice of. Once again they are taking a step away from the happy pop music and they are bringing a more urban vibe. I first heard them as a soundtrack on a TV show and had to find the song instantly. The song was 'Ain't Got Time', the chorus was so catchy and I guarantee that with one listen you will be singing the words as you walk around town. The single didn't do great in the charts but I am happy to say it hasn't stopped them, they are releasing new music and videos as I type.

Fifth Harmony

You may already know who these are as they were finalists in last years The X Factor US. They were put together on the show after all auditioning solo, and what a great idea it was (except maybe Camila, she kind of shines on her own). I fell in love with their voices straight after hearing them sing Shontelle's 'Impossible' - if you get the chance YouTube it. They released a couple of songs after leaving that were extremely pop and sold them to a tween market. However their latest single 'Bo$$' is showing some growth, some may argue too much growth but at the end of the day they aren't stepping on Miley's toes with this song - its fun, very powering for a female and a good time.

GRL

I can almost guarantee that you have heard these ladies sing, or at least one of them. These are the five girls singing behind Pitbull in his song 'Wild Wild Love' and the blonde lady is the singer on LMFAO's single 'Party Rock Anthem'. However they no longer have Feat. infront of their names and they have released music on their own. There has been a lot of comparison to the Pussycat Dolls - it's an easy one to make as they have the same creator, Miss Robin Antin. And to be honest I don't think they should be judged for this, the Pussycat Dolls are no longer around so why not bring 5 fresh faces to come and fill the void. They are fun and I absolutely love their latest single 'Ugly Heart'. I have a feeling these grl's will be around for a bit, I mean Britney Spears has already given her approval and who are we to argue with Queen Pop herself.

I HATE CHRISTMAS SONGS!

So its the beginning of December and of course every radio station, music channel and shopping establishment think there is only one type of music we want to listen to - Christmas songs! I may be a one man army when it comes to my hatred of christmas songs and for that I apologise, but as soon as I hear Noddy Holder scream 'IT'S CHRISTMAS' I can feel my eyes just roll into the back of my head. 

I understand people's love for them, they are happy songs that remind us of this great time of year. It's just I don't choose to listen to them. This will be my 25th Christmas that I have experienced and just for once I would like to not be slapped in the face with them. I work in a restaurant so of course all the other music has been shunned for the christmas cheer. I wouldn't even mind if we had a new bunch of christmas songs to enjoy, but we don't. We get the same ones again and again. Every 'Top 20 Christmas Songs' on the music channels is the same 20 songs. 

However, me being me, I do enjoy a bit of hypocrisy and there is some Christmas songs I do not hate.

• Mariah Carey 'All I want for Christmas'
• Danity Kane 'Home For Christmas'
• Destiny's Child '8 Days of Christmas'
• Boney M 'Mary's Boy Child'
• Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson 'Winter Song'
• Britney Spears 'My Only Wish'
• Greg Lake 'I Believe in Father Christmas'

My all time favourite Christmas song is by Jackson 5. 'Santa Claus is coming to Town' will get me in the mood for yuletide celebrations.

One thing that irks about some christmas hits is the songs that aren't actually about Christmas. You pair any random, slow, romantic song with a winter themed video and BAM you have a Christmas song. Every year they are brought back and we accept them as christmas songs. For example - 

• East 17 'Stay Another Day'
• S Club 7 'Never Had a Dream Come True'
• Spice Girls '2 Become 1'
• Gary Jules 'Mad World'
• Every X Factor single

I don't mean to spread hate especially within the season of joy its just they really bother me, there is no other type of music we are forced to listen to straight for a month or two. And in all honesty do you like Christmas songs? The last Christmas song to get to number one was in 2004 with Band Aid and before then it was 1990 with Cliff Richard! I am however excited to hear Leona Lewis' and Kelly Clarkson's Christmas albums though - their voices slay me.

Biggest Losers

Last night Britain was ablaze with disappointment after watching The Voice UK. Clear favourite to win, Leah McFall, was a runner up. One thing I don't understand is that it is based on a public vote; I would bet my life that a lot of the people who were angry didn't even vote. We did it to ourselves. However we shouldn't be too angry - these days you don't need to win to achieve success. Some examples I hear you ask - read on my dear friend.

One Direction

They came third on The X Factor, losing out to Matt Cardle. Propelled to international success by the power of social media, their two albums Up All Night and Take Me Home, released in 2011 and 2012 respectively, broke several records, topped the charts of most major markets, and generated hit singles, including "What Makes You Beautiful" and "Live While We're Young". I don't think they care that they lost.

Cher Lloyd

She came fourth on The X Factor. Since then she has a number one single in good old Blighty, a double platinum selling single in America and has been featured with such artists as Demi Lovato, Ne-yo and Sean Kingston. She has also had a sold out tour that had 14 dates around the UK. I don't think she cares that she lost

Susan Boyle

She came second on Britain's Got Talent. Since the show she has released 4 albums - 3 number 1's in England and 2 in America, culminating in over 20 million record sales. Susan also broke a record in America as she had 2 number 1 albums in the space of a year. Now she has covered magazines, toured the world and even had a musical written about her. I don't think she cares that she lost.

Jennifer Hudson

She came seventh on American Idol. Since the show she has won a freaking Oscar (plus another 28 worldwide awards)! It was for the portrayal of Effie White in Dreamgirls. She has overcome a number of personal tragedies. She has also become the face (and body) for Weight Watchers, appeared in 8 other films and was called upon to sing at the Oscars - twice. I don't think she cares that she lost.

Kellie Pickler

She came sixth on American Idol. Since the show she has had two number one country albums (the third gaining a still impressive number 2 spot), released nine top 50 singles and has toured with Taylor Swift, Rascall Flatts, Sugarland and Brad Paisley. Also an accomplished song writer, she has won three songwriter awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. Just this year she competed in Dancing With The Stars (Strictly Come Dancing to us Brits) and she won. And if her success wasn't enough she also shaved her head in support of her friend who was battling cancer. I don't think she cares that she lost.

Samantha Barks

She came third on I'd Do Anything (A BBC show searching for an actress to play Nancy on the West End show Oliver). Since the show she has starred in 6 theatre shows (including Oliver as Nancy). However her moment came as she picked to play Éponine in the stage version of Les Misérables, which led her to been cast in the film version along side Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman and Russel Crowe. She has now won international awards for best newcomer. I don't think she cares that she lost.

Sophie Sumner

She came second on Britain's Next Top Model. Then the wonderful Tyra Banks announced the Brits Vs Yanks cycle of America's Next Top Model. Sophie competed and won! She has now been featured in Vogue Italia, become the face of Covergirl, become the face of Top Model's perfume and randomly appeared in a Bollywood movie. I don't think she cares that she lost.

So, the moral of the story is that your Mum was right - Its not the winning that counts, its the taking part. In this day and age you don't need to win a reality show to be the star of the show. In my opinion the winner tends to be the sympathy vote a lot of the time, or the person most relatable  - not necessarily the most talented. I personally can't wait for Leah McFalls album and I will try my darnedest to be at the tour.