She was eliminated from the six-chair challenge only to be saved by the mercy of the wildcard, and she later survived the Bottom Two on three occasions.
And tonight Saara Aalto brought the same fighting spirit to the X Factor 2016 final, finishing as runner-up to Matt Terry.
“Thank you people for all the support I’ve gotten,” she said shortly after Matt was named the winner. “I never thought I could make it this far. I am so happy for Matt. I love you.”
X Factor: Song of the series
Matt and Saara started Sunday’s show with their “songs of the series”. Matt chose to sing Sam Smith’s “Writing’s on the Wall” from Movies week, while Saara went for Björk’s version of “It’s Oh So Quiet” from Divas week — the song that finally spared her from the Bottom Three.
Sshh, sshh… bring us that musical theatre realness, baby. Saara totally owned this with her exuberant staging, which exploded with Technicolour fabulosity and endless dancers. The only one who didn’t join the party was the Mad Hatter. Feathers, flowers and sunglasses filled the stage and Saara’s voice gave it life. Her unique, crazy and over-the-top style made all the judges give Miss Aalto a standing ovation — again!
“Every time you come on stage I get excited, you always surprise me,” Louis said afterwards. “You’re not predictable. This show is about finding an undiscovered talent who can sell albums and that person is you….you’re an amazingly good person. You work hard. You have the X Factor.”
Nicole, who has repeatedly taken credit for Saara receiving Sharon’s wildcard, was as effusive — even if Matt is her mentee. “You fill that entire stage with your effervescent energy,” she said. “It was explosive. It was fun. I’m just so happy you’re here. Enjoy this moment right now.”
FACT: If you unravel @saaraaalto‘s #xfactor hair extension, it could circle the earth three times ???????????? #xfactorfinal pic.twitter.com/ySQb5aicq3
— William Lee Adams (@willyleeadams) December 11, 2016
Simon, whose record label will sign the winner of the show, made it clear he’s behind her too.
“On one of the most important nights on your life you decided to come back with the song of the series being one of the most bonkers performances we’ve ever had,” he said. “And this is why me and this audience and the British public are falling in love with you. Because it’s so easy to come on [when] you’ve got a big voice with a ballad. But the reason you have absolutely popped is you don’t take yourself too seriously. You are an entertainer. And I think tonight this was off the charts.”
Sharon, Saara’s mentor, was overcome with emotion.
“I mean, I can’t think of anything else to say about your performance ’cause I’ve said it all. But what I do want to say is I want to thank Nicole for sending you to me. Because she picked you as my wildcard and I want to thank Nicole from the bottom of my heart and I want to say I admire you as a yong woman — I admire you so much — for your strength and your talent. You are a great example to other women.”
Saara, who viewers deemed arrogant and aloof early in the show, got teary eyed as she thanked the audience.
“The British public accepted me. I feel so loved. I want to love you back.” @saaraaalto during the #xfactorfinal #xfactor ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/98N614NiKQ
— wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) December 11, 2016
“I’ve been thinkng about this day a lot now. About a year ago I thought I would quit, I would give up because I didn’t find my place. But here it is. You guys accepted me and the British public accepted me. For the first time I feel so loved — I feel so loved. I want to love you back. ”
Saara Aalto covers Whitney
The acts were given one final chance to impress voters with a song of their choice. Matt choose “One Day I’ll Fly Away” — originally performed by American jazz singer Randy Crawford in 1980.
British viewers will surely recognise the more recent cover from the Vaults, which features in the John Lewis Christmas advert. Matt killed it, sounding better than at any point this series.
Saara — a diva of the first order — tackled Whitney Houston’s “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength”. The judges lapped it up (though, to be honest, I would have given the edge to Matt with this one).
“You have the potential to be a global superstar,” Louis said. “You came here as an underdog, but you’ve worked harder than any contestant in the show. I think the Finn can win!”
Nicole emphasised that Sharon has worked hard to protect her from producers. “Saara, when we first saw you audition I knew we found someone special. And even though I was your wildcard pick, you couldn’t have a better mentor. I know how hard she fought for you behind the scenes, always wanting you to be your best. Last but not least, not only do you have a voice out of the stratosphere, you make me smile. Thank you.”
“I think I know your story, a little bit of it,” Simon said. “You have tried and tried and tried, and for whatever reason with a talent like yours it hasn’t worked out, which is why I feel privileged you came over to the UK. You’ve been a total delight from day one and I like that this show is open to everyone. We’ve never had anyone win from another country. I would feel privillged if you were to be our first foreign winner. That’s what life is all about. It’s about people.”
Sharon echoed the thoughts of many — no doubt the bookies — when she said “this has probably been the closest final that this show has ever had.”
“You two are both great artists who deserve to be here. No matter what the outcome of the show tonight, you gave your all and left it right there on the stage.”
“The love and support that I got from you made me blossom and I am so grateful that I found my home here.” — @saaraaalto @ the #xfactorfinal pic.twitter.com/7SvzpJ9mLl
— wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) December 11, 2016
Saara held it together long enough to shout out to her fans once more.
“The song kind of said it all. I didn’t know I had all of this inside of me. You guys — the audience, the judges — the love and the support that I got from you made me blossom and I am so grateful that I found my home here.”
Do you think that the best act won? What gave Matt Terry the edge of Saara? You can let us know in the comments box below.
The #Brexit vote wins again. Meh. Love you @saaraaalto! #xfactorfinal #xfactor pic.twitter.com/fiLeKnAibW
— William Lee Adams (@willyleeadams) December 11, 2016
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@ Anthony If you read my comment probably I wasn’t saying she shouldn’t have been covered but that the sheer amount of it compared to ACTUAL Eurovision competitors was rediculous. It shouldn’t make a difference if it’s a music show or not, that’s doesn’t make any sense or logic. It’s still a high profile talent contest. Does that mean if she had done Britain’s Got Talent she probably would have got the same amount of articles in accordance to the smaller length series. I just think priority should go to actual Eurovision entries not those how failed to get there… Read more »
Saara now is very famous in the UK and she wants to do Eurovision. Maybe she could change the British people’s mind about Eurovision if she’s participating for the UK^^
DR, the reason we didn’t cover Simon Webbe every week is because Strictly Come Dancing isn’t a music show, whereas X Factor is. And Saara isn’t the first national finalist we’ve covered on X Factor UK Charles. Bianca Claxton (UK 2016) made it to Boot Camp but was no where to be seen since then. UMK 2014 finalist Josh Standing made it to the Judges’ Houses last year as part of The First Kings. Had the group made it to the live shows, we would’ve done the same thing until they go out or they make it all the way… Read more »
@DR: Can you image the excessive coverage it would have done if the Russian grannies has decided to go to the Britain’s got talent lol or this other obsession from Poland that like Saara was rejected big time to be in Stockholm this year with her Rihanna-b-side-leftover? Margaret her name I supposed? Anyway …a rejected act … Fan tens to spend so much loving and worshiping those who did never got to Eurovision due to their uptempo crap (no, it would never happen with ballads lol) that they can forget the ACTUAL songs and singers. Anyway …
I really am so happy X Factor has ended. It was getting so annoying to see Saara Aalto on Wiwibloggs every week. She didn’t even compete at Eurovision. When Simon Webb did strictly which is arguably bigger than X Factor especially in viewers he barely got the same coverage and he actually went to Eurovision. It feel ridiculous to spend so much time covering her. A few articles now and then seems fair but the constant videos and articles seems over the top.
I really wanted her to win but never mind…
I hope she participates in UMK 2018! 🙂
Christian, Saara tried to represent Finland at Eurovision twice, but ended up finishing 2nd at both Euroviisut 2011 and UMK 2016. Other Eurovision fan sites have reported Saara’s X Factor journey so we’re not the only ones.
First place or not, Saara is an amazing vocalist and artist and I’m glad she had this chance to show her capabilities. Pop music needs more visionaries like her.
Why does Wiwibloggs keep reporting about that Saara Aalto and X Factor UK? I don’t see the connection to Eurovision, as I thought this blog is dedicated to Eurovision?
Thank God she didn’t …
But don’t worry … if you want all your Eurovision uptempo obsessions to be in X Factor … pray for that Polish girl Margaret to be there too … apparently Eurovision rejections that turn into Fan obsessions end up there … for some odd reason.
Loved every performance (except the lady gaga and queen numbers). A diverse and fun performer and I really hope we hear from her soon and let’s get an album that embraces the diversity, the crazy and the touching music of Saara. Bring on some remixes, bring on some power, grab your sparking disco belt and rise to the top of a plynth!
Make music, not (civil) war.
Polegend you are deluded, and once again can’t seem to separate the EU from the Euro! Those joke parties, when added together equal about 52 to 55 percent when added together, and guess what you’re not the only Italian on here :p
@ Chicken Kyiv? – I don’t know what the media are saying about Italy in your country, but they’re clearly wrong. It’s really just the oldest generation who wants to get out of the EU and go back to our old worthless currency. And this generation won’t suffer from the catastrophic effects of this possibility because, well, they won’t be here to witness, so why bother? Italy is going nowhere, and the possibility to exit from the EU for my country isn’t taken seriously, just like the joke parties supporting it.
@Polegend
If you really believe all 3 main opposition parties and 59 percent of the country are far right you’ve got problems 😀
Also the EU and the Euro are not the same thing. 😛
Well done to Saara. From bottom two at the start to top two at the end. Impressive.
If she does return to the Eurovision stage, of course it should be for Finland though – her home country! Jedward competed in the UK X Factor but still went on to represent Ireland. Also she wouldn’t be the first X Factor runner-up to represent the UK, and we can all remember how that turned out back in ’08.
@ Chicken Kyiv? – tf sis, we ain’t going nowhere. It’s just the delusional far right parties that barely get seats in the Parliament asking for that mess. Italy would be OVER without the EU anyway so we better not make this stupid decision that only old men drinking in bars in the mountain towns of Veneto are longing for.
The real winners are the runners up, always! Matt makes me want to rip my ears out when I hear him. It’s also funny how the song sounds like it was written specifically for him. I can’t imagine Saara singing it. Is it too late for her to enter for U.K. Eurovision?
Obviously teenage girls voted Matt instead of Saara. Anyway runner-up will be more successful than winner.
Nice one Saara!
The winner’s single is a Christmas song that will have a 2-week chart run. Saara WON.
Losing is a blessing in disguise. Usually the runners up does better afterwards. Most winners of X factor are today less successful than those eliminated late in the shows.
Good riddance Daniel
Oh and you forgot Italy tearing a nice big chunk out the Eurozone last week 😀
@Nick
No, the Brits agree with you: he was dreadful.
Ah bleep! Saara won yesterday on the vote freeze. So really she only lost because fans of the boyband switched to Matt at the end?!
Wow, Saara really fought her way up. She nearly got eliminated at multiple times but survived. Non-winners tend to be better anyway.
Matt will flop and be forgotten about. Saara will go far!! She is the winner
I have disagreed with results from the2015 general election (yes I supported Ed Milliband, deal with it 🙂 😛 ), Brexit, Trump (thats American ik but, still), numerous editions of big brother, our Eurovision points, and now this. In fact, the only thing I’ve agreed with is last weeks I’m A Celeb. Lol. I really hate the UK. Please can I move somewhere else?
The reality is that Saara will make it big anyway! She will be the more popular act in 1 years time…
i’m happy that she made this far in the contest but wanted her to win. Good luck Saara <3
Another “pretty white boy” wins X Factor… Yuck
JLS, Olly Murs, One Direction, Fleur East didn’t win but have all had huge success.
Compare that to, Leon Jackson, Joe McElderry, Matt Cardle, Ben Haenow who have all won and flopped immediately after.
Vote 1 Matt Terry – 22.2% 5 After Midnight – 13.3% Emily Middlemas – 11.9% Honey G -10.9% Sam Lavery -9.8% Relley C -7.8% Gifty Louise -6.6% Ryan Lawrie -6.2% Saara Aalto -5.3% Freddy Parker- 3.4% Bratavio -2.6% Vote 1 Lifeline Freddy Parker- 52.0% Saara Aalto -38.5% Bratavio -9.5% Vote 2 Matt Terry -19.5% 5 After Midnight – 15.6% Emily Middlemas – 11.0% Honey G – 9.3% Sam Lavery -8.8% Four of Diamonds – 7.3% Relley C – 6.6% Gifty Louise -6.4% Saara Aalto -6.4% Ryan Lawrie -4.6% Freddy Parker- 4.5% Vote 2 Lifeline Ryan Lawrie -37.9% Saara Aalto -32.0%… Read more »
The stats are in! According to the Xtra Factor, this is who won the public votes week on week:
Week 1: Matt Terry
Week 2: Matt Terry
Week 3: Matt Terry
Week 4: Emily Middlemas
Week 5: Matt Terry
Week 6: 5 After Midnight
Week 7: Matt Terry
Week 8: Saara Aalto
Week 9: Saara Aalto
Week 10 (Final): Matt Terry.
What’s interesting there is that Saara won both the quarter final and semi final public vote. Wow!
I know many people (especially the Brits) are going to disagree with me, but I find Matt’s live performances dull and dreadful. Saara slayed every song she was given, even the songs that sent her in the bottom two/three, and that’s why she deserved the victory tonight. I believe in that snow fairy and I think that a bright career is awaiting her. Fleur East (runner-up of 2014) rose to fame with Sax, while the winner of that edition has been slightly forgotten. Anyway, good luck in your life Saara, greetings and much love from a fan of your neighbour… Read more »
@ Robyn Gallagher – she can always represent the YouKay in 2017, but that spot was reserved by Simon Cowell’s new priority artist Honey G I’m afraid. I know you stan for the good sis anyway!
Tragic how another basic act with nothing to tell won, while Saara’s raw talent had to settle for 2nd place. Don’t worry queen, The Voice UK starts in spring 2017!
Anyway.She desereved it and She is winner for me.Bravo Saara
Let’s not forget One Direction came third, Olly Murs came second, Ella Henderson only managed 6th. It’s not about winning but how much impact you leave. FYI Fifth Harmony came third as well
Kinda think it was the song choices this week and last week that contributed to her not winning
I’m happy for Saara! Second place acts usually do a lot better anyway! (She also must be happy to not have to associate with that dreadful Christmas song)
First Brexit and Trump. Now this, what are you people thinking of?
She’s going to have the successful career though, so that’s a positive. No one will remember Matt this time next year.
Simply said, Matt was the “Chosen One” from the beginning. But given Saara’s fight through the competition to where she is now, I hope somebody in the UK makes her a star because she has the talent, the voice and the versatility to be an international sensation. I’d definitely buy her albums!
Well… Most of the time the runner-up has a better career than the winner. Seems likely this time too. Saara will make it even though she didn’t win. Can’t wait for a UMK returnn <3
She is still the best singer of the series this year. Matt just had better song choices and was originally from The UK. He also had few votes ’cause of his good looks.
Well i’m glad everyone’s happy so far. 🙂
Saara raised the standard of this year’s X Factor competition which, to be honest, belonged to Matt Terry from the very start. Saara is incredible and I wish her all the best. xx
Second, again… But we’ll done Saara, I am proud of you and I’m sure everyone else is too.
Saara has won my heart as much as others. Matt is a worth winner but I think Saara is more unique and that will make the difference between their careers. Can’t wait to listen her debut album!
Saara you deserved the win but second place is still good. What an adventure, she has an amazing career in front of her!