Focus on the Philippines: Cyrus Villanueva makes it to X Factor Australia final

Filipino-Australian singer Cyrus Villanueva has made it through to next week’s grand final of The X Factor Australia.

“It’s pretty ridiculous to believe that a couple of months ago I was studying for an exam and now I’m on The X Factor stage,” said the 19-year-old graphic design student before Monday’s live semi-final.

The remaining four acts each performed two songs. Villanueva covered Ed Sheeran's up-tempo track Don't and Phil Collins's ballad In the Air Tonight (see below for video) which received a standing ovation from the judging panel.

Calling Villanueva “a serious artist that’s fresh for Australia”, Guy Sebastian said: “What a time to peak. Every time someone wins the show, they think back to a certain performance. If you end up winning this show, people will remember that.”

Singer James Blunt added: “Week after week, you show us diversity, charisma, stage presence. It would be a joke if you’re not in the grand final, Cyrus.”

"That was sick," said Dannii Minogue after Villanueva's performance of In the Air Tonight. "I feel like I'm getting sick – I've got the Cyrus virus, well and truly. It's painful and so good."

Villanueva’s mentor, Chris Isaak, told him: “It’s so exciting. I never hear an audience get that excited – and I play a lot of shows.

“You know, Cyrus, at one point of this competition I was thinking: ‘Boy, it would be great for Cyrus to do a show – he can open for me.’ Now, maybe I can open for you.”

Joining him in the final will be Jess & Matt, a folk-pop duo and real-life couple, and Louise Adams, a 31-year-old former lawyer.

Big T, a 22-year-old railway-yard worker, was eliminated in the audience vote.

Amy Vachal impresses with a jazzy cover version of Drake hit

Filipino-American singer-songwriter Amy Vachal survived last week's top 24 playoffs to reach the final 12 of the American edition of The Voice.

On this week's live show, the 26-year-old, who lives in the New York borough of Brooklyn, performed an acoustic rendition of Drake's latest hip-hop track, Hotline Bling, while accompanying herself on the guitar. The song was chosen by her coach, Adam Levine.

“Amy, I think you made a really brave choice in listening to me,” said the Maroon 5 frontman. “I know that it was a weird choice. You took a risk and did something bold. You put an entirely new spin on a really great song and you should be so proud of the artistry involved in that.”

"That song is so big. Gwen sung it to me on The Tonight Show once," quipped Blake Shelton, addressing rumours he's dating fellow coach Gwen Stefani.

Stefani added: “That was so cool and definitely better than the version that we did on Jimmy Fallon’s show, for sure, 100 per cent. I think you are just an amazing artist and I love watching you sing. I love your style. I though it was gorgeous.”

Pharrell Williams told Vachal: “You always make songs yours. It’s an amazing, uncanny ability that not many people have. It’s the reason I pushed my button for you in the very beginning and it’s the reason I’m happy you are now with Adam.

“The idea that you can come out here and take such creative license and bring so much of you – all of that Brooklyn, New York jazz element to that song, in that way, is a beautiful thing. And it’s why we like doing this show – to provide opportunities like that.”

Vachal’s cover peaked at No.8 on the US iTunes charts.

The competition's front-runner is 21-year-old Jordan Smith, the only contestant who did better than Vachal on iTunes, with his recording of Great Is Thy Faithfulness soaring to the top spot, toppling Adele's hit Hello.

Darren Espanto earns praise from Nicki Minaj

Teenage Filipino singer Darren Espanto has earned a fan in Nicki Minaj. The American pop star posted on her Facebook page a video of Espanto's cover of Sia's hit, Chandelier.

It was recorded for a Philippine radio station in August. “So effortless. Incredible voice!” Minaj wrote.

The 14-year-old replied: “Wooooaaaah! Thank you so much Queen @NickiMinaj!”

Espanto was the runner-up of the first season of The Voice Kids Philippines last year.

His first album, released in December, debuted on top of the Philippine iTunes charts.

Espanto visited the UAE last month, headlining the Abu Dhabi Pinoy Music Festival on October 16.

artslife@thenational.ae