Following Wednesday’s show, Headline Planet declared that Drew, an early frontrunner in “The X Factor,” had rebounded from weeks of disappointment with an emotionally-stirring rendition of “Billie Jean.”
Given her ongoing popularity and support–even from names as random as “Jersey Shore” star Snooki–it seemed very unlikely that she would be sent home.
Unfortunately, when it gets down to the wire, these shows can be unpredictable. Drew, despite the strong performance, ended up in the bottom three this week, joined by Astro (expected) and Marcus Canty (also expected).
After a lukewarm performance Wednesday, Astro received the lowest vote total and was automatically sent home. That meant Marcus and Drew would have to sing for survival.
The deck seemed stacked against Marcus, due to the fact that he had been in the bottom three the prior week, but his emotional “save me” song stole the show, eliciting a powerful reaction and what even appeared to be tears from judge Nicole Scherzinger. Drew’s “Listen to Your Heart” was solid but a fairly standard “Drew number.”
And so, all but Drew’s mentor Simon opted to save Marcus, sending Drew home this week. Simon accepted blame for pushing Drew towards a slow song on Michael Jackson night, and when asked for comment on elimination, he declined to say much.
Drew fought through tears as she vowed to continue and then paid respect to Jesus as the show went off the air.