Poor Saara Aalto. For the second week in a row, she found herself in the X Factor UK Sing-Off. But proving she has fight in her, the Finnish snow fairy sprinkled magic dust on her performance and survived a judges deadlock to go through based on the public vote.
Despite getting great reviews from the judges last night, it seems the British public still hasn’t warmed to Saara.
The former Eurovision hopeful once again found herself in the bottom three, alongside Ryan Lawrie and Freddy Parker. Once the app lifeline votes were calculated, Ryan was declared safe. This placed Saara in the Sing-Off with Freddy, who had survived through the lifeline the week before. Freddy performed first, before Saara took to the stage.
Saara Aalto — Run
In the Sing-Off, Saara delivered a touching performance of Leona Lewis’ version of “Run”. At the end of her performance, she even received a three judge standing ovation for the second night in a row.
Nicole, one of Saara’s biggest fans, naturally had to vote to send Saara home since she is coaching Freddy.
Sharon and Louis, however, both voted to send Freddy home. This comes despite Louis saying that people were not “warming” to Saara last night. Despite Simon once again complementing Saara, he went with his “gut” to save Freddy. This brought us to the dreaded deadlock.
This meant that the public vote was used once again. Y’all, our nerves were gone by this stage. When it was all said and done though, Freddy was revealed to have the lowest votes. Of course, Saara might have even finished in 9th, above Ryan in the votes. We won’t know that until the end of the series, though…
Once again, social media was not happy about Saara being in the bottom two:
Save Saara please – she doesn't belong to bottom 3 :/
— Grey Stormshadow (@GreyStormshadow) October 16, 2016
My mood has changed, just been told Saara is in the bottom three again, absolutely ridiculous!
— ????????? ? (@LanaDelFoxy) October 16, 2016
When Saara is in the bottom 3 of this SINGING competition #XFactor pic.twitter.com/eUFHQFXgsl
— Luke Kempner (@LukeKempner) October 16, 2016
Of course, there was a big celebration then when Saara did go through. That included well-known Saara Aalto fan, Eurovision 2011 singer, and ex-Blue member Duncan James:
Yes @saaraaalto !Another sing off but u got through and yet again showed the nation what an incredible voice u have ??? @TheXFactor
— Duncan James (@MrDuncanJames) October 16, 2016
On our social media channels — most notably Twitter and Instagram — we’ve seen a lot of Saara supporters suggesting that Brits won’t vote for a foreign act. And that makes it slightly strange that Sharon Osbourne keeps harping on Saara’s nationality. She focused on that fact when introducing her to the audience this evening.
@wiwibloggs @saaraaalto I was so worried she was going home! Sharon needs to stop saying Saara from abroad!
— Alison (@AlisonH89) October 16, 2016
(The counter-point to this, of course, is that the Hungarian shadow dance group Attraction won Britain’s Got Talent a few years ago).
Next week, Saara might have her best chance yet to stand out. It’s Divas week and we can’t wait to see what she’s got to bring to the table!
What do you think about the X Factor result — did you think Saara was going to go? What do you think she has to do to survive again? Let us know in the comments section below.
@Jonas
I know you were speaking metaphorically. But when you give me a lob, of course I’m gonna spike it.
As far as the screen names go, I thought itd be funny to stick different screen names on different devices, since it lets you do that. My old phone was Pollaski 2: Electric Boogaloo. I picked rise of the machines because that’s the only III subtotal I could think of.
@mocosuburbian
American conservatives love cheesy pop music too you know.
Right. I was speaking metaphorically.
What’s with the two screen-names?
Not accusing you of anything underhand, simply wondering.
vv i for one think it’s amazing that a conservative american loves the eurovision vv
@Jonas
Well, yeah. The point of free speech is you don’t go to jail for it.
…is a get-out-of-jail free card.
You seem to be fixated with free speech, something with which I have no issue. If you insist on re-hashing the Chick-Fil-A argument, I never once said that they had no right to espouse whatever views they like, heinous as they are. In fact, I’m glad that they spoke up (and acted out) about their fundamentalist beliefs, because now I know to stay the hell away from them – “free speech” does not equate to “free speech without consequence”. I don’t believe I ever once said that gay marriage was “too important to debate” – so your quote marks are… Read more »
That last line should say “Societies aren’t winning societies if they’re not free.” I don’t know how that got garbled. But wow.
@Jonas Yes, you’re a special little snowflake, just like everyone else. I can handle opposing opinions. I’m a conservative living in Washington state, for god’s sake. Its when people cross the line and think that their position gives them some horsecrap moral superiority to silence and bully the other side, that’s when I have an issue. You crossed that line when you declared the topic of gay marriage was “too important to debate”. Not only is that censorship, its the root of fascism, which is and of itself the mentality “this way is right, and obliterate any thoughts that do… Read more »
Poor Pollaski seems to be fighting some imaginary demon conflated from every “social justice warrior” he’s ever encountered – “people like Jonas” – let me tell you that there are in fact no other people like me. I am a one-off, so don’t act as if you know me, or can judge me based on a few posts on a Eurovision website. Libertarian-leaning individualists like yourself never seem to have a problem branding anybody and everybody who disagrees with them as “social justice warriors”…as if that is an insult – but please may I suggest that you re-read my words… Read more »
Do you mean to say that there are folks who still watch X factor? This fact is more amazing to me than whatever voting is happening.
h to the o to the n to the e to the y to the g it’s honey g
Ah yes, thought police Jonas, always ready to step in and demand we all cater to his “open-minded” fascism. Is racism and xenophobia a problem? Absolutely. When it exists. The problem is that brave little social justice warriors like Jonas have so watered down the definitions of the term that its hard to take any allegations seriously without any actual evidence. Jonas lives in a world where “I believe marriage should be between a man and a woman” is equivalent to using the f-word (the six letter one). He lives in a world where “I believe we should enforce our… Read more »
She used to be bullied as a child which might be the reason why she is desperately trying to please everyone making her appear a bit weird and socially akward. Nevertheless, I wish her all the best.
Of course I don’t mean to imply that British people are generally xenophobic, it’s a small but dangerous minority – and the UK are no different to other countries across Europe in that respect – it’s a growing problem all over – just look at the rise of the far-right in Austria, France and other places – but no, Pollaksi, you keep “laughing your ass off”.
Pollaski : ” “LMAO @ one of the most cosmopolitan and diverse nations in Europe being “xenophobic” ”
You clearly weren’t following the Brexit campaign very clearly, and you’re painting the whole country with the one brush – London is very different from other more places in the UK. I’ll never understand why you feel the need to downplay things like racism & xenophobia as if they are not serious issues. It boggles my mind. You cling to your right-wing views in the face of reality which I find most disconcerting.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/sep/07/hate-surged-after-eu-referendum-police-figures-show
I think I could identify 4 singers who can actually sing in this years competition. Saara being one of them.
And maybe 2 singers who can sing and perform. Saara defiantly being the top of the list.
I won’t be surprised if she’ll be bottom three again next week. Sadly, the UK prefers freakshows like Honey G rather than talented vocalists like Saara.
I love reading your news about Saara. Looking at her interviews on youtube, she doesn’t seem arrogant at all. Giggly, happy, quirky and just slightly childish. I can’t see the evil in her that so many others see. But I can see her struggle when she has to come up with a quick answer in English. Her mind seems to go blank and she just giggles. Like her interview this morning. Saara is an oldfashioned singer, she seems out of place among the hip young singers. Cause she really can sing! They trying to turn her into a sexy show… Read more »
All MUSIC lovers in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, use your vote and help our girl, Saara, next week. Lady can SING.
X Factor has turned from a singing competition into a realty show, not unlike Big Brother or the other horrible shows. There is a way to determine who sings best; put all contestants into a studio, and autotune them. Saara needs none. And, I used to like Mrs O, I lost all respect to her last night. The way for this world to be more united and true is to vote with your gut. There is freedom of choice, still. My vote goes for the best singer, by far, Saara.
Basically we need to go back to square 1. Saara’s talent. Sharon needs to give some serious praise without being ridiculous and distracting, Louis and Sharon need to stop Babi g on about her nationality and at the very least get it right. Sharon needs not to forget her name and be on it in terms of representing her, drop words like ‘fairy snow queen’ and ‘diva’. Their is a lot to love her voice, her energy, her ability to dance and look good! We need to find some seriously good and stretching material to work with and nail a… Read more »
She is a fighter.
She needs a performance that will showcase her true personality. All she is doing is putting an ‘act’. Last week she was an ice queen and now this week a Las Vegas show girl.
First of all I will say I’m not British (not even close). From my perspective, I don’t think it’s related to her orientation (who cares if she’s lesbian, most ppl probably doesn’t even know that), also don’t think it’s related to her not being British (we saw foreign act taking high places). In my opinion – it’s her personality and I don’t like it either. Maybe she’s just overly enthusiastic, but to be really honest, it feels fake, that awkward personality you don’t get it and you cannot relate to. On the final note, this show went full retard mode.… Read more »
LMAO @ one of the most cosmopolitan and diverse nations in Europe being “xenophobic”
Sore losers just gotta stick demagoguery on everything.
One quick question. More a request.
Can you stop judging a whole nation (i.e. My Nation) on the results of a dying reality TV show. It’s ridiculous, ignorant, close minded and insulting.
I don’t even know how. If you see things as a larger trend. Then fair enough, but not on one show. *rolls eyes*
What an emotional performance!!! I hope that next week Saara will not be in the bottom 3. She does not deserve that. Freddy was so scared of the sing off. He knew he was going against the power itself 🙂
Well this is Eurovision-related website, so why would the even mention the other contestants at all? This a fairly lean time for Eurovision news, so why not?
With Divas Week being next, I think this could be Saara’s time to shine. Still don’t think she’s winner-worthy and is barely hanging on still.
I wouldn’t say it’s xenophobia (although that does seem to play into it), but many people on Twitter keep complaining that she’s ‘overqualified’ because she did Frozen and she’s tried to represent Finland twice.
The reality is she probably won’t get far because the winners are very rarely good singers (James Arthur, anyone?). It’ll probably be that Matt guy or Honey G as they’re the weakest acts.
X Factor overly glamorizes the contestants, makes them look plastic.
@Pollaski
Saara tried to represent Finland at Eurovision twice having reached the final and lost out on both occasions, 2nd in the Super Final of Euroviisut in 2011 and 2nd in the Final of UMK earlier this year.
So that’s why Team Wiwi are rooting for her on this year’s X Factor UK.
Why is Wiwi obsessed with Saara Aalto over anyone else in the British X-Factor? Everythings about her, not the general running of the contest.
I could see it if she’d been in Eurovision, but she hasn’t been.
FYI “Run” is Snow Patrol’s song. ????
I have been following Saara’s singing since 2011. Not only has she a fantastic voice but Saara has other talents like playing on the keyboard and singing in many languages. I think she has what it takes to get to the finals of Xfactor if only the UK public takes her for what she is: a brilliant singer and performer. Good on you Saara!!!
X Factor in the UK didn’t do Ruth Lorenzo any harm, long before she went on to represent Spain, otherwise she’ll be out on the first week. Maybe it’s the Eurovision connection that’s dragging Saara down, even though she almost represented Finland twice.
We sent the amazing Imaani in 1998 before some European countries had ever seen a black person, so don’t give me this BS that Britain in Xenophobic!
How are the British public Xenophobic, when in 2014 and 2015 the acts that came 2nd were both Ghanaian!? (Fleur East/Reggie & Bollie)
I’ve seen two people now say she is lesbian, have not heard this anywhere on the show once, I thought she was straight.
I don’t think it’s explicit xenophobia. It’s just that this is a popularity contest – not a talent contest. For whatever reason, the Brits are finding it hard to relate to the gay foreigner. They can’t identify. I’ve only seen the clips that are posted here so I’m only speculating, but if the show were actually based on merit there is no way she would be in the bottom two. The whole thing is a travesty of a mockery of a sham.
Maybe its just that the British voting public wants to get all gay contestants dropped?
I’m a Finn living in London and I know how hard it is to arrive in a foreign country when you don’t know the culture or what makes people tick here. To me Saara looks slightly bewildered most of the time,not arrogant,I feel so sorry for her. She is an amazing talent and I would like to see how the other contestants would cope somewhere away from home! You go girl!
Cmon Finnish community in UK, support Saara. WTF!!
Since its a Eurovision site lets put it in Eurovision terms.
10 acts in the semi, 7 spaces in the final, certain acts will get through no matter what,
Matt
Emily
Honey
Relley
Sam
So that leaves only 2 spaces for ryan, saara, 4 of Diamonds, 5 After midnight and Gifty to fight for.
I’m not complaining, we are getting double the amazing performances we would get if she just went straight through.
Ryan should’ve gone home not Freddy and Saara should’ve never been in the bottom – it’s a singing contest and she’s still bottom 2. Maybe it is xenophobia (for which I am ashamed as someone with an immigrant background in this country) or it’s just that she’s a bit different. Saara needs all the support she gets, she deserves it way more than some that are still there. I don’t know why I’m still watching this farce.
Is she allowed to sing her song “No Fear” for next week? 🙂
I think that her sing-off performances have more of an impact than her stage performances, though I’m sure she’ll sail through next week, as the ‘Divas’ category sounds like something Saara could SLAY. Hey, maybe she could even sing ‘No Fear’!?!?!
UK is so funny. They said Saara is cold, but UK is cold. Nobody like Great Britain….
Bottom 2 again but once again got saved. That means at least 2 more articles fawning over her from Wiwi ???? Surely she will be gone next week the judges can only force on us for so long! We don’t like her she’s arrogant. Look at her reactions when Simon sends it to deadlock, look at her reaction when she didn’t get a chair in six chair challenge.
This isn’t America we don’t like big headed arrogance, we like people who are humble.
When it went to deadlock I 100% thought she was going to go. People are saying she comes off as unlikeable but I think she seems like a really sweet and enthusiastic person. But she’s foreign as Sharon constantly is reminding the audience about. I’m not saying it’s the only factor in people not voting for Saara but she needs to stop that right now, does she know nothing about British national mentality?