Why America should embrace Fifth Harmony

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It's been quite the hot minute since pop culture has glorified "girl power." At least that's what Simon Cowell thinks. The concept most recognizably takes the form of a young female pop group as it skyrockets to the top of the charts.

Now not since Beyonce decided Destiny had only one child, have we seen the rise of a talented world-famous girl group. That's why Cowell has manufactured one out of five quirky, talented, young vocalists from all over the country who auditioned for the current season of The X Factor. Together, Fifth Harmony are supplying a healthy dose of "girl power," and they best continue whether they win the reality TV singing competition or not.

Unlike the Spice Girls, another set of manufactured girl-empowered pop stars, the Fifth Harmony gals comes off as genuine despite their quickly increasing production value. Their rendition of Ellie Goulding's "Anything Could Happen" was like something you'd see at the VMAs. The dresses, the ballon table, the fairy waiters, everything was bombastically saccharine, reminiscent of Katy Perry's current cotton candy craze, yet it did not feel sticky nor cringe-worthy. In fact, if anything, whereas late 20-something Perry comes off ridiculous wearing cupcakes for bras, Fifth Harmony's princess-inspired performance was the epitome of age-appropriateness, their sweet sixteen.

The new girl group first made their pink-tinged splash performing for Cowell (and Marc Anthony?) at the producer's home. Considering the five girls originally auditioned as solo artists and proved their place in the preliminary sing-offs, it's no surprise their joined-force rendition of "Impossible" showed that behind the cutesy, girly personas were truly powerhouse singers with an affinity for catchy vocal stylings. It was X-Factor fate that these five super talented teens would one day join forces and perform. Perhaps reality TV does have its place as the only stage where stars this big ever come across each other's paths and join to become supernovas. How else would five star-quality singers meet and decide to pursue a recording contract?

Week after week to hear each Fifth Harmony member pull her weight in the vocal department was extremely gratifying, especially being truly discerning about not being enough talent currently on television. Britney Spears didn't deserve the $15 million salary to be an X-Factor judge, and Khloe Kardashian didn't deserve her 15 minutes of fame to play host.

And it's not just their impressive voices that sets them apart from girl group gone by. Fifth Harmony's girlish spark is a refreshing alternative to the current state of female pop star affairs. The last American girl group to gain fame was made up of one hyper-sexualized singer (who also recorded all the background vocals) surrounded by an actual horde of strippers. And as if that wasn't demeaning enough, the Pussycat Dolls inspired copy cats, the Dolls themselves the obviously unoriginal knock-off of the sleazy Vegas burlesque show by the same name, setting up a debased template for how girl groups should be.

In their X-Factor live shows, Fifth Harmony has chosen to perform songs about first love, heartbreak, friendship and... well, girl power. Twice they belted out songs originally performed by X-Factor judge Demi Lovato. In both instances, Lovato confessed the five singers did a better job, as if the songs were written specifically for them. Which makes sense seeing how Disney-fit Fifth Harmony is.

In that sense, Fifth Harmony is modeled more similar to the British girl group tradition, responsible for initiating the girl power wave with the Spice Girls. Unlike Aubrey O'Day and friends, you never saw the members of The Sugarbabes, Girls Aloud or All Saints use a stripper pole in their dance routines. (5h really are the new Girls Aloud!!!!!) More recently, X-Factor UK contestants Little Mix joined this sorority for the squeaky clean but quirky.

In a time when teen girls get promised national attention for getting pregnant rather than for following their dreams, and sex tapes seem to be the fast track to fame, the voices of Fifth Harmony deserve to be loud. We can only hope that, even if they go home next week, they will continue to make music. If only because I want my sisters to grow up knowing that it's not impossible for five talented 16-year-old girls to take over the world, big bows and all.



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James Arthur: Most explosive X Factor opening sales, ever!

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James Arthur has scored the most explosive start of any X Factor winner in history with his debut single Impossible, according to the Official Charts Company’s sales data released this morning.

Impossible, which went on sale on Sunday evening immediately after James Arthur was unveiled as the 2012 X Factor winner, had sold 187,000 copies by midnight last night according to Official Charts Company’s sales data.Arthur’s extraordinary performance already puts him on course for a storming full week, which will be bolstered further by the single’s CD release tomorrow (Wednesday, December 12).

No previous X Factor finalists’ debut single has hit such heights so quickly. In 2008, Alexandra Burke’s Hallelujah had sold 147,000 copies by the end of Monday, while Matt Cardle’s When We Collide in 2010 had sold 112,000 and Leona Lewis’ A Moment Like This in 2006 had sold 101,000 during their first two days on sale. Last year’s winners, Little Mix’s Cannonball had sold 69,000 at this stage of its opening week.

Comparisons with Shayne Ward’s all-time fastest selling X Factor winner’s single, 2005’s That’s My Goal, are difficult because it was issued in the early days of digital. The single had sold only 46,000 copies on download by Monday midnight, but exploded when the CD was released on Wednesday – it sold 289,000 copies on that day alone, on its way to a record X Factor opening week total of 742,000.

Official Charts Company Managing Director Martin Talbot says, “There has been a lot said about X Factor’s popularity this year and questions have been raised that perhaps its momentum is beginning to wane. But this amazing opening performance by James Arthur suggests that it remains the pre-eminent launch pad for new artists. Whether Arthur will match Shayne Ward’s 2005 total, only time will tell – but he has a fantastic chance.”

The other previous biggest opening week totals are Alexandra Burke’s Hallelujah (576,000), Leona Lewis’ A Moment Like This (571,000) and Joe McElderry’s The Climb (451,000).

In related news, proceeds from James Arthur's single will be donated to children’s charity, Together For Short Lives, who support children and the families of children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions. For more information, or to donate directly, please visit their website: www.togetherforshortlives.org.uk

 
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Nicole Scherzinger leaving Uk X Factor and Cheryl Cole in talks to a comeback

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"Tulisa, Gary, and Nicole are set to leave -
with Cheryl Cole retaking her rightful place."

NICOLE Scherzinger has dealt X Factor bosses a hammer blow — by threatening to quit the show and reboot her own pop career.

A showbiz insider said: “Nicole has proved really popular with viewers – men want to be with her and women want to be her."

The former Pussycat Doll, 34, said that getting two of her acts — James Arthur and Jahmene Douglas — into the final would be the perfect exit strategy. She said: “I’m really glad I did the show. I don’t know if I’ll come back next year. End on a high, right?”

Nicole has emerged as the most popular judge on this year’s panel and her departure would be another nail in the coffin of the ailing ITV1 show. However, Nicole, who has a new album in the pipeline, is keen to go back on tour.

She said: “This year has changed my life. As an artist, it’s put into perspective what I want, how to go about it.

“People have made me so comfortable and I have to thank you.”

There were reports earlier in the series that Simon Cowell was eager to poach Mel B from the Australian version of the show after a successful guest judging stint.

Reports suggest that besides Scherzinger, the only judge Cowell wants to see return to the show is pal Louis Walsh.

“Tulisa has lost her touch this year and her heart doesn’t seem to be in it, while Gary has a new album and touring commitments with Take That,”the source said.

It has previously been reported that Cowell is intending to return to the UK version of the show next year, and that negotiations are at an advanced level with Cheryl Cole on her return.

The X Factor has lost millions of viewers in the UK this year, and is down almost 10 million on its peak in 2009.

Liverpool singer Christopher Maloney has seen his odds slashed with the bookies as millions have been placed on him to win the competition.

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