Britney, Robbie & Whitney Disappoint on X Factor
The Troubled Stars Embarrassing Comebacks on British TV
Oct 19, 2009
First Britney Spears mimed during her 'live' performance and appeared confused afterwards, then Robbie Williams looked spaced-out after his erratic set on the hit talent show X Factor.
Now Whitney Houston has joined the list of troubled pop stars to have disastrous comebacks on the entertainment programme.
Britney Spears Mimes on X Factor
Simon Cowell, the music producer and head judge of X Factor was understandably smug when it was announced in November 2008 that Britney Spears will be singing her new single Womanizer from her album Circus live on his show.
It would be the first time on a British stage for the Baby One More Time singer after a long period of absence due to personal struggles, and a record-breaking 11 million people tuned in to see her comeback that night.
But when a lethargic Spears appeared on the X Factor stage wearing hot pants, it was immediately apparent that she was miming to a pre-recorded track. The onstage magic that epitomised her earlier career had gone and Spears seemed to just be going through the motions.
Her post-performance interview with the show's host Dermot O'Leary was another embarrassment for the 27-year old star. When asked her opinion about the show's contestants, she replied "Amazing! I met so many different people, the place is beautiful and I love being here in London, it's awesome."
Her performance was branded a 'disgrace' ("Britney Spears Disappoints Fans with X Factor Performance", The Daily Telegraph, December 1, 2008) and fans criticised her set on internet message boards, with one commentator noting "She may have lip synched and the choreography sucked, but she still danced well and the performance was amazing."
Robbie Williams' 'Spaced Out' Appearance on X Factor
Pop star Robbie Williams also hoped singing live on X Factor in October 2009 will help relaunch his career, and another heightened media anticipation followed news of his performance after a long absence punctuated by depression, alcoholism and hunting for aliens.
On the night, Williams strode onto the stage to rapturous applause to sing his new single Bodies from the album Reality Killed the Video Star. His vocals were average but his frequent stops in between singing to shake the hands of audience members raised a few eyebrows along with his uncoordinated dancing.
O'Leary then had to manage another awkward post-performance interview as Williams appeared highly-charged and fidgety. His eyes were wide and unblinking and as he exclaimed "I loved it!" repeatedly when asked how he enjoyed his set, his childlike excitement had viewers wondering if he was on medication.
Fans and the media called the performance shambolic with one newspaper stating "Everyone was expecting this fantastic comeback but it was all a bit disappointing." ("Crock DJ", Daily Mirror, October 13, 2009)
His spokesman put his erratic behaviour down to nerves and Williams blamed a set malfunction for disorientating him: " Now I don't know if you've ever had 10 million (plus) people ready to judge you on your first performance back in three years" he said, "but let me tell you, if the door between you and them isn't opening it's enough to throw you right off your stride."
Whitney Houston's Comeback on X Factor
Whitney Houston is one of pop music's biggest artists, so yet again X Factor scooped the performance of the decade when they announced that she will be singing on the show a week after Williams following a twelve year absence from British screens.
But yet again there was bad luck on the X Factor stage for the comeback star. The first signs of things 'not quite right' came during her advisory session with the contestants. As she sat with her manager Clive Davis who did a lot of the talking, Houston would now and again burst into song to illustrate her points, but unfortunately this only drew attention to her weakened voice following years of drug abuse.
Then over 13 million people - the higest in the series so far - tuned in to see Houston sing again, and she looked elegant as she walked onto the stage to sing Million Dollar Bill wearing a long silver dress, but the dress would prove to be a nuisance throughout her performance.
Then the music started but she came in too early with the first verse and had to cover up her mistake by ad-libbing. As she sang, she was breathless and lacked vocal control, and often held her mike out to the audience or danced instead of singing some of the high notes.
Whitney Houston's Wardrobe Malfunction on X Factor
Then the straps of her dress came off and flapped behind her throughout the song. She tried to fix it but gave up and carried on singing and all the while she had to keep hitching up her too-long dress as she walked around the stage and there was a real danger of her tripping over the helm.
Afterwards her interview provided more cringe-worthy moments. She seemed confused when asked the date of her album release: "Yeah the um...the album? It should release this weekend. Or next week sometime."
Although she made a well-received jokes about Simon calling her 'lippy' "'cause I say what's on my mind just like he does", when asked what she thought about the contestants Houston hesitated and stared at the floor, then stumbled as she said they needed more practice.
Viewers and fans were left unimpressed by Houston's performance, with one stating "Not sure what was going on with Whitney, what a huge let down" whilst others maintained their loyalty stating "she was still amazing though, so glad to have her back."
Despite the negative viewer reaction, all three performances by the singers received standing ovations from the X Factor judges of Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh, and the singers' appearances pulled in record viewing figures for X Factor.
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