The X Factor USA 2013 – Power Rankings – Boys
With the first live show of The X Factor USA 2013 premiering next week, we're continuing our look at the 16 acts who have made it through to live shows, category-by-category! Tonight, it's the Boys! (You can check out our previous rankings for the Girls and the Groups!) Let's get to it!
Credit: FOX
1. Josh Levi
Probably going to catch hell for this one, but I see serious potential in this kid, far more than I see in any of the other boys in the category. I know there's a lot of buzz surrounding Carlito Olivero thanks to his past in the industry, but I've just never seen it in him. Although, admittedly, Josh has only intermittently impressed me with his overall performances. But I'm not really thinking about who's coming into this competition as a fully-formed performer right out of the game. I'm thinking in terms of pure potential, and Josh Levi fits the bill, for me. At the very least, I feel like he has the best shot of any of Paulina's boys at reaching the end (although this is pretty much the weakest category, in my opinion, so I'm not sure I see any of them making it to the finale. But hey, I'm the guy who pegged Jennel Garcia and Vino Alan for last year's final, so don't be surprised if we end up with nothing but Paulina's boys at the end).
Credit: FOX
2. Tim Olstad
Tim is a kid who makes up for in Midwestern charm what he lacks in onstage charisma. His vocals aren't exactly superstar level, but there's a certain sincerity in his performances, a sense that he truly believes what he's singing. That quality alone can make a performance eminently more engaging than it otherwise would have been. And it's not even like his vocals couldn't cement him a deeper spot in the competition, as there's definite room to grow throughout the competition, especially if Paulina gives him songs that are in his wheelhouse. However, Paulina shouldn't keep him too squarely in his comfort zone. Pushing him outside his boundaries can help him to grow and deliver on the promise so many people seem to see in him. He definitely does have a good voice, and he's so quietly unassuming about his abilities that he it makes him immensely likable. That likability could make him a real threat in the competition, as being a hard-working, likable guy with consistent, if unspectacular, performances carried Tate Stevens all the way to the title last year.
Credit: FOX
Carlito is a passionate kid with a good voice, but I feel this is mostly a case of style over substance. This is not to say that Carlito has no substance, as I feel he's one of the more likable personalities in the competition, and his passion has the potential to carry him far. But I see him more as a guy who was put through because of the total package he presents, and I'm not even sure it's all that alluring a package. Sure, he looks like a star, and occasionally he sounds like one too. But he's a bit of a middle-of-the-pack performer, particularly when you consider that he comes from a boy band and still has those boy band habits. He doesn't work the stage like a solo artist, not yet. There's always room for improvement and growth, but if he's being put through on image and package potential, he really should be better, in terms of pure performance, than he is now. It's the same problem I had with CeCe Frey last year. I liked her, but it felt we were sold on an artist whose performances at live shows were something else entirely. Hopefully, Paulina finds a nice middle ground for Carlito: not quite Bieber but not quite crooner either. He could go far, but it'll take work, and a clear-cut identity, to get him there.
Credit: FOX
Of the boys, Carlos might actually be my favorite. But I just don't see how he lasts in the competition past the first live show. He's a fun, likable guy with a great voice, but he doesn't really exude any star quality. He reminds me a lot of Jeremy Rosado from American Idol 11. Just a really good guy whose voice is strong enough to justify his place, but whose charisma and presence don't really suggest him going any further. But I have all ten fingers and all ten toes crossed that he can prove me wrong. I like this guy, and I find myself really wanting this for him.
What do you think? How would you rank these four boys? Sound off in the comments!