It's Ladies' Day for Cheryl
05 Oct 08
This year's Girls 14-24 category may have been hailed as one of the toughest categories ever in X Factor history, Annastacia, Diana, Laura, Hannah and Amy were the best of chums as they made themselves at home in Cheryl's Cannes hideout.
Auditions didn't go well for all however and there were emotional moments aplenty as words were forgotten and notes were missed as the pressure of the situation - and all that it means - got a bit too much.
Cheryl was all too aware of her responsibilities, saying, "We are going to change three people's lives for the better and take three peoples dreams away
When the sun rose in the South of France of the day of the big decision, everyone was feeling fragile - and that included Cheryl and Girls Aloud band mate Kimberly who was helping make the decisions at Cheryl's side.
Annastacia's performance ended in floods of tears the previous day, and Cheryl really only had one option open to her.
Annastacia herself said, "I didn’t perform to my best yesterday and to know that I didn't do my best makes me disappointed in myself".
"I am a waitress and I see all these celebrities and this is my final chance to turn that around. I don't want to be serving them any more I want to be the one who's going into the restaurant as a VIP".
Still, it didn't make Cheryl's words easy to hear; "You've got such an infectious personality and you've come here in my final six for a reason. But yesterday was a disaster for you. You fell apart in front of my eyes".
She continued, "That would be a worry for me. I can't take you any further. I am so sorry".
And demonstrating the disappointment getting so close can bring, Annastacia sobbed, "I just don't know what I'm going to do now".
Hannah and Diana were up next but only one of the hugely individual girls would go home happy.
Hannah was resolute in her approach; "I've done all I can do now. I only want to think about hearing yes".
But the verdict was not what she hoped, with Cheryl stating simply, "I'm so sorry Hannah, I have to let you go home. I'm so sorry".
Diana's verdict, however, was everything the 17 year-old could have dreamed of - and dream she actually did"!
She told the cameras, "Last night I had a dream that I got through. It was the most amazing feeling, and then when I realised it wasn't real I just sunk back into bed. It was horrible."
Luckily Diana wouldn't be feeling that bad again for a while as Cheryl explained, "I think you are fantastic. You are one of the best, vocally, here. But as much as I love you, and get you, I don't know if the public would get the croakiness. Even so, you're one of the three".
And as the pair hugged, Cheryl continued, "I love you! I really believe in you, Diana, I really do".
Laura, up next, is another really distinctive singer. Would there be room in the finals for another quirky-voiced girl? Yes, there would.
Cheryl told her, "You know I've loved you from day one. I've watched you progress. I think you are amazing. You're going to have to be in the final three"
And Laura thought of her parents in that moment of joy, beaming, "My mum and dad will be so happy. Thank you. I can't believe it, thank you so much".
As the day drew to a close there were just two contestants - Amy and Alexandra - left in the running. Unfortunately, there was just one final place left. Amy's performance had gone badly wrong the day before.
Cheryl found it difficult to tell Amy, "Yesterday was really tough for you and some people pulled it off. I do genuinely think you've got something special. I'm so sorry. Amy - I can't take you through to the next round".
So it was tears of sadness for the 18 year old newcomer. But 19 year-old Alexandra, who'd been put out of the competition at this very stage once before, shed tears of joy.
Cheryl told her, "I loved you the minute I saw you. It's time the public saw the real Alexandra".
And knowing that this final audition was just the first step in the battle to win The X Factor, Alexandra assured her new mentor, "I'll work so hard, I swear to God, I will work hard".
Now every contestant who's made the final 12 will have to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in if they want to excel in the nations biggest and best singing competition.
Said an excited Diana, "My journey has progressed so far already. There has been a great change in me."
"I will do everything I can to continue in this competition."
And no doubt the other eleven contenders would nod in agreement if they could hear her say,"This is my future and I want it bad..."
Going through to be mentored by Cheryl Cole in the Girls 14-24 category are:
Alexandra Burke, a 19 year-old singer from North London
Diana Vickers, a 17 year-old student from Lancashire
Laura White, a 20 year-old student from Bolton
Did Cheryl choose the right acts to progress to the live shows? Tell us your views in the comments boards below...