‘The X Factor Australia’ Aussie Week Recap: Ronan Keating, Dannii Minogue Continue Bickering [VIDEOS]

“The X Factor Australia” contestants sang top local artists’ hit songs on Sunday. Aussie Week proved to be a contentious theme for the judges as Ronan Keating and Dannii Minogue continued their love-hate fest.

As the competition nears the end and with only six contestants remaining, the mentors started defending their acts more aggressively. Ronan got a lesson from his fellow judges about picking the right songs for his act, while Dannii admitted that it’s not a good week for her remaining act.

Jason Heerah – “Like It Like That” by Guy Sebastian

After surviving Bottom 3 last week, Jason was up to his usual outstanding self, earning a standing ovation from all four judges. His mentor Redfoo was so overjoyed by his performance that he came on stage to give him a hug.

“That is Motown quality right there. That is my favourite performance of you this whole series,” Redfoo said. “Amazing!”

One would think that performances like Jason’s would never have to suffer from votes every elimination night, but in the end, the viewers have all the power. Judges have always given him heaps of praises, but Jason still managed to fall in the bottom twice.

Caitlyn Shadbolt – “Bow River” by Cold Chisel

Another Bottom 3 survivor is Caitlyn, who has been crushed by her time in the bottom for two weeks in a row. She was quite emotional during rehearsal, seeing that there weren’t that many people who voted for her.

As Redfoo pointed out last week, Caitlyn should stick to singing country music since that’s her forte. Her mentor, Ronan, had other ideas, though. He wanted people to see her diversity, so he kept giving her pop music. Natalie Bassingthwaighte begged to differ, telling Caitlyn that she should not be a “pop girl” because that’s not her.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Dannii said after Natalie’s little speech.

“This is what you need to be doing. You are a country star. Period,” Redfoo chimed in, all chiding Ronan for his insistence to give Caitlyn non-country songs.

“Brilliant performance. Don’t listen to this three,” Ronan stubbornly advised his charge.

They all seemed to be against Ronan, but at least this time their argument looked playful, unlike last week when Dannii and Ronan had been unforgiving with each other.

Reigan Derry – “Burn For You” by John Farnham

It wasn’t a four-judge standing ovation for Reigan this week; only Ronan and Redfoo stood at the end of her performance. Natalie was still in awe, though, telling the 25-year-old former “Australian Idol” finalist that she really got it all.

Although Dannii still thought Reigan was great, she had an advice for her.

“You can do everything, but don’t be everyone in the circus. Be one star act,” Dannii told her, adding that she should identify which road she wants to take and just take it. “But who is Reigan? Please show me because I’m trying to work out what the album is if you’re going to win the show, what’s the album?”

Marlisa Punzalan – “Super Love” by Dami Im

The youngest contestant in the group has taken on “The X Factor Australia” reigning champ’s big hit. She even wore a “Dami-esque” outfit, as Dannii had called it, describing her skirt with exaggerated hips.

“You rock. I can see why your fans vote for you because you are 14, you are so brave, you take on the biggest songs, big productions,” Dannii said, adding, “Your big notes are your strengths, watch your runs.”

“I look forward to a critique from Dannii that doesn’t end with a ‘but,’” Ronan said, referring to his previous arguments with the Australian songstress every time Dannii gave any of his acts constructive criticism. “Her runs are beautiful. They are amazing!”

Dannii, who was Dami’s mentor last season, was adamant about her advice, but Ronan was loyal to her charge, insisting that Marlisa was great given her age. Marlisa’s age is their constant defence, as if being the youngest in the competition is protection enough from all the criticisms she receives.

In any case, Ronan and Dannii’s squabbles are great TV moments. Dannii tried to look like Ronan’s jibes weren’t getting to her (note her frozen smile during Ronan’s speech), while the Irish crooner tried to laugh her critiques off.

“Dami was in this situation last year and she had moments when she didn’t hit some of the notes, but we all thought she was incredible. Now, you’re 14 years of age. You’re so much younger than she is and you taken on with that song and you’ve absolutely nailed it,” Ronan practically shouted.

Brothers 3 – “Amnesia” by 5 Seconds of Summer

Ditching their flannels and suspenders for classier suits, the self-professed farm boys opted for a new look that is contrary to their quirky personas but goes well with their performance for the night.

“Very interesting performance. I like that you switched up your outfits, but I kinda miss the plaid thing,” remarked Foo, who once commented during Rock Week that they should have gone rock ‘n roll in their attire. Dannii quickly pointed out that the boys didn’t completely discard plaid because they had incorporated it in their suits.

Ronan copied Dannii’s method and started off with compliments for Brothers 3 before continuing with a “but.”

“But in the words of Dannii, but, guys… I see it in your faces. You didn’t make me smile. You didn’t make me feel good. This song, even though it’s an angsty, it’s a hard, tough song, it still lifts you. And you didn’t do that with this performance. And I know you guys know that,” Ronan observed.

Dannii, surprisingly, agreed. Taking a different approach from Ronan who overly protects his acts, the 42-year-old songstress conceded that her act “didn’t fire as it should have.”

“I will call it as it is. And I was worried about this today and we had lots of conversations,” Dannii explained, adding that the brothers were worried about making 5SOS fans and their own fans proud with their performance.

Dannii seemed resigned that the brothers would be in the bottom 2 this week. She ended up pleading for their fans to vote again for her remaining act.

Dean Ray – “Into My Arms” by Nick Cave

Natalie also has just one remaining act. After Tee’s exit last week, she only has Dean, but she’s left with one of the strongest contenders. Like Reigan and Jason, Dean rarely receives criticisms from the judges. And fortunately for him, viewers seem to love him; he has not been in the bottom 2 yet.

His haunting rendition of Nick Cave’s “Into My Arms” has earned him standing ovation from three judges. Redfoo opted to sit down, but still had heaps of praises for the 22-year-old rocker.

“That was a really tough song to sing,” Foo said, “and you sang that so good with that low tone. I’ve never seen that from you, that low tone with that much control… It was really pure.”

The Top 6 will become 5 as one of them will go home on Monday night. Special guest performances will be The Veronicas, AJR and Ed Sheeran.