Talk about a controversial “X Factor” results show.
Though the actual result was far from shocking–the person eliminated was the consensus worst performer of the night–the hourlong episode featured a legitimate “time stands still” moment, as one of the presumed-frontrunners actually got the entire live crowd to turn on him ahead of the results reveal.
That contestant, Astro, seemed furious with his placement alongside Stacy Francis in the bottom two, making a remark about how he was lucky to see hip hop even get this far on a show like “The X Factor.”
When it came time to deliver his “save me” performance for the judges, Astro argued that he didn’t feel he should have to sing, and he left it up to his mentor Antonio “LA” Reid to determine if he should need to perform. A bewildered “LA” barely answered as music played for Astro, and he began a half-hearted, uninspired rap that featured lazy lyrics that pandered to the judges. He spent half the performance with his back to the crowd, and his hand gestures and arm movements totally gave off an “I don’t need this” vibe.
Though “LA” voted to save Astro ahead of Stacy, he criticized his team member for the poor attitude. Nicole obviously saved her group member Stacy Francis, while Paula voted in favor of Astro.
It thus all came down to Simon. Simon asked Astro about his bad attitude; the young rapper responded that his placement in the bottom two signaled the crowd didn’t really like him. And if they didn’t want him to be there, why should he have to perform for them? At this point, the crowd had completely turned on the acclaimed contestant and was entirely behind a save for Stacy Francis.
Simon confronted Astro for not acting like a grown-up, and though Astro only gave a forced apology, tears did start to stream down his face. Simon, nonetheless, saved Astro, who he argued had a better chance of winning “The X Factor.”
That means Stacy Francis goes home as the tenth-place finisher.