The time has come.
Filipino four-piece “4th Impact” finally granted what their fans have been wishing for weeks now—a ballad.
Sisters Almira, Mylene, Celina and Irene gave a heartfelt rendition of The Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There” during the X Factor UK’s quarter-finals dubbed “Jukebox Week” on early Sunday (Manila time).
WATCH: 4th Impact transform to ‘fancy rich girls’; Celina raps ala Iggy Azalea
And the highlight of 4th Impact’s piece? It’s Almira’s whistle note (think Mariah Carey) at the middle of the song.
Judge Nick Grimshaw was ecstatic afterwards: “It’s great to see a completely different side of you and get you to do an emotional song to hear all singing individually. And that high note, there’s gonna be like dolphins arriving in Wembly.”
“You absolutely nailed that performance!” the group’s mentor Cheryl Fernandez-Versini said.
Judge Rita Ora even made a brief squeak in an attempt to imitate Almira’s note.
“What I love with that performance is the relationship you have with the record “I’ll be There”. It’s like Jackson 5. It’s like you guys are related. They were related. And I think only the people that have connection to each other can sing a record like that and do it justice,” she said.
Judge Simon Cowell, meanwhile, expected that the girls’ performance would be dreadful because of their identical dresses and flowers in the background.
“And you started to sing and everything changed,” he declared.
And because Simon didn’t seem to feel the individuality of the sisters, he referred to them as “A, B, C and D.”
But he later praised Almira’s powerful voice. “B, you are absolutely outstanding apart. Vocally, the best that sounded so far.”
The other four contestants including Louisa Johnson, Lauren Murray, Che Chesterman and Reggie ‘N’ Bollie also showed what they’ve got with the songs chosen by the viewers.
For the second battle of the night, the 4th Impact pulled off a mash-up of Gwen Stefani and Iggy Azalea with “Fancy Rich Girl” for the “Judge’s Choice” segment.
The result of the live shows will be out on Monday. TVJ
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