‘The X Factor Australia’ Recap: Reigan’s Surprise Elimination + Boyzone, The Script and 5SOS on Stage [VIDEOS]

“The X Factor Australia” has said goodbye to one of its strongest contenders on Monday night. Reigan Derry was eliminated after a deadlock decision from the judges.

Boyzone, The Script and 5SOS

Apart from being a judge in the show, Ronan Keating is also a boyband member. Irish crooners Boyzone – with members Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Keith Duffy – opened the show with the Top 4, and the energy in the studio couldn’t get any higher, until younger Irish band The Script and Australia’s own 5 Seconds of Summer took the stage later on, that is.

The show has been a feast for fan girls from the ‘90s to the present, with the three bands performing their hits on stage.

Bottom 2

The judges had one act each, and one of them would be left with no one to mentor after the elimination. Fortunately for Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Dannii Minogue, their acts, Dean Ray and Brothers 3 respectively, were announced safe. That meant the other half of the contestants were thrust into the dreaded Bottom 2. Those acts were Reigan and Marlisa Punzalan, much to the disappointment of their mentors Ronan and Redfoo.

Brothers 3 were the first to be announced safe. And while the siblings constantly led the viewers’ votes, it still had been a surprise for some to see them through. After receiving unenthusiastic comments from the judges on Sunday night, the brothers thought that it was their time to go. They couldn’t be happier to be wrong.

Betting odds even predicted that they would be the next to go home.

Dean Ray was the only contestant who received standing ovations from all of the judges in both his performances the night before. Even though he had been in the bottom 2 the previous week, his place in the grand final was almost guaranteed, thanks to his popularity.

For Marlisa, it was her first foray in the Bottom 2, and the worried look on her face was evident. As she had said the night before, she didn’t want to return to school yet.

Reigan faced fellow Over-25 act Jason Heerah in the Bottom 2 in Week 8. Although she emerged almost unscathed then, she wasn’t as lucky this time around. With no backup plan stashed away, the 25-year-old former Scarlett Belle singer was noticeably despondent upon learning her fate.

Reigan and Marlisa

The youngest and the oldest remaining acts in the show have taken the stage for what could be their final performance on X Factor. As the judges could attest, Marlisa and Reigan were also two of the strongest voices in the competition, which was why the judges were reluctant to see any of them go.

With barely suppressed emotions, Redfoo introduced his act for the sing-off. Reigan delivered her moving rendition of Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah.”

Looking as heartbroken as Redfoo, Ronan was “gutted” while announcing Marlisa on stage. The 15-year-old schoolgirl chose to sing John Farnham’s “Help” as her last plea for help.

Reigan’s Elimination

Unlike what was traditionally done every week, the judges didn’t name the act that they wanted to go home, but the one they wanted to save. Redfoo and Ronan naturally chose to save their acts, which meant it was up to Dannii and Natalie to decide on whether they would send either Marlisa or Reigan home, or leave the decision to the public votes.

Dannii, who was critical and approving of both Marlisa and Reigan equally, chose to save Marlisa. On the other hand, Natalie, who has given Marlisa positive feedbacks almost every week, chose to save Reigan, saying she had to go with her guts.

With Marlisa and Reigan both getting two votes each, host Luke Jacobz then revert to the earlier public votes. Reigan had the lowest votes, and therefore the one eliminated.

Ronan was beside himself with joy upon hearing his charge’s name, but Redfoo was understandably crestfallen for his act.

Reigan was grateful for Redfoo’s guidance, thanking him for the lessons and the support.

“I’m still in shock. She’s the best artist I’ve ever worked with in my life. I’m very much happy for Marlisa, and at the same time I just don’t understand how this could happen,” Redfoo said, adding that every performance of Reigan has been perfect.

Despite Reigan’s elimination, Redfoo was confident that she would still make it in showbiz.

“I know for a fact she is going to be a superstar. For sure!” the U.S. singer said.

Top 3

With Reigan out, Marlisa joins Brothers 3 and Dean Ray as the acts for the grand final on the coming Sunday and Monday.

Also read:

‘The X Factor Australia’ Recap: The Judges Get Their Claws Out for their Contestants on Power & Passion Night

Country Princess Caitlyn Shadbolt on her Nashville Plans, The Truth Behind Redfoo and Dannii Minogue’s On-Air Spat

Videos by YouTube/J1MZO7

Boyzone and the Top 4

The Script

The Top 4 visit the Ronald McDonald House

Bottom 2 Announcement

5 Seconds of Summer

Bottom 2 Sing-Off

Judges’ Decisions