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==Members==
==Members==
===Alex Kinsey===
===Alex Kinsey===
'''Alex Kinsey''', born September 8, 1991, is from [[New Smyrna Beach]], [[Florida]]. Alex cites [[Jason Mraz]] as one of his biggest musical influences.
'''Alex Kinsey''', born September 8, 1991, is from [[New Smyrna Beach]], [[Florida]]. Alex cites [[Jason Mraz]] as one of his biggest musical influences. In 1994, Alex was in a boy pageant called Little Master Edgewater, which he won.<ref name=Semi-Finals/>


===Sierra Deaton===
===Sierra Deaton===
'''Sierra Deaton''', born February 11, 1991, is from [[Orlando]], [[Florida]]. She attended [[Lake Howell High School]]. Sierra cites [[Demi Lovato]] as a musical influence.
'''Sierra Deaton''', born February 11, 1991 in [[Orlando]], [[Florida]] to parents Dr. John and Vu Deaton.<ref name=Semi-Finals/> Her father John works in the College of Aeronautics as an professor in aviation human factors.<ref>{{cite web|last=Daliey|first=Space Coast|title=Florida Tech Professor’s Daughter Wins X Factor|url=http://spacecoastdaily.com/2014/01/florida-tech-professors-daughter-won-x-factor/|accessdate=January 5, 2014}}</ref> She has a sister.<ref name=Semi-Finals/> She attended [[Lake Howell High School]]. Sierra cites [[Demi Lovato]] as a musical influence. For eleven years, Sierra competed in professional dancing competitions.<ref name=Semi-Finals/>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 03:19, 7 January 2014

Alex & Sierra
OriginNew Smyrna Beach, Florida Orlando, Florida
GenresIndie pop, indie folk, folk-pop, pop
Years active2013–present
LabelsSony Music, Syco, Columbia Records
MembersAlex Kinsey
Sierra Deaton

Alex & Sierra is an American indie folk/pop duo consisting of Alex Kinsey (born September 8, 1991) and Sierra Deaton (born February 11, 1991), who won the third season of The X Factor (U.S.). They were mentored by Simon Cowell and became the first group to win the American version of the show.

Career

2013: The X Factor

Alex & Sierra auditioned in Orlando, Florida and wowed the judges with a sultry version of the Britney Spears song "Toxic", resulting in them getting four yeses. They made the top 40 and got Simon Cowell as their mentor.[1] In this part of the competition, Alex & Sierra took on the John Travolta/Olivia Newton-John classic "You're The One That I Want" from the 1978 musical film Grease. The judges praised them for putting their own twist on the song. Demi Lovato told them they were one of her favorite acts, but questioned the future and their relationship, which annoyed their mentor Simon Cowell due to his support of Alex & Sierra as a couple. Despite this, they made the live shows.[2]

For the first live show, Alex and Sierra performed a stripped-down version of the Robin Thicke hit "Blurred Lines". Kelly Rowland liked the performance but warned them not to let their performances become too corny, something Simon Cowell disagreed with. He praised Alex & Sierra on their performance, calling it "original" and "unique". It earned them a spot in the top 12.[3]

For Motown Night, they took on "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye, which earned them praise. On the re-vote show, which happened due to a graphics error that nullified the votes, Alex & Sierra sang "Give Me Love" by Ed Sheeran. For '80s Night, the couple took on the Robert Palmer classic "Addicted to Love". The performance earned them mixed reviews with two judges, Kelly Rowland and Demi Lovato, pointing out how uncomfortable the couple looked when not near each other (the performance featured them separated by a wall), to their mentor Simon Cowell expressing his own disappointment over how the performance went. Despite this, they advanced to the next week. For British Invasion night, Alex & Sierra took on the One Direction hit "Best Song Ever". Demi Lovato called it their best performance and even told them that she planned to download the song on iTunes. However, Sierra's vocals were criticized for not being as strong as Alex's. Their version charted on the top 40 of the US iTunes, the first act to do so that season.

For Big Band night, Alex & Sierra performed Taylor Swift's hit "I Knew You Were Trouble".[4] Demi said that she hated the arrangement at first, but Alex & Sierra made her like it by the end - they "nailed it". Their mentor Simon said that their arrangement was clever and cool and not obvious, and also praises Sierra: "You just shut up the Witches of Eastwick here because that was a great, great vocal performance." They later faced off against the others in a group performance 'Cry Me A River', in which they received praise from Kelly, who said they "soared".[4]

For Divas/Unplugged night, the couple took on two songs. Their "Diva" song was "Say My Name" by Destiny's Child, the song earned them praise from Kelly, who adored the new sassy side of Sierra.[5] Their "Unplugged" song, "Say Something" by A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera, the performance earned them well deserved praise by the judges; Kelly said she felt like she was watching an awards show, Demi felt that the performance was "magical", Paulina was impressed with Sierra's talent with the piano and their mentor Simon stated that this was not only their best performance of the night but of the season.[5] Their version of the song hit number one on the US iTunes charts, which was the first time that a song from the US X Factor reached the top position.[6]

For the semi finals, the public chose "Little Talks" by Of Monsters and Men, which earned Alex & Sierra praise; Kelly said they nailed, Demi felt she was looking at the winners, Paulina said that they keep coming back stronger and suggests that there's a huge gap in the industry for them and Simon said they're not just performing - they're making records each week.[7] They faced Carlito Olivero in The Duet Duels singing "Falling Slowly" with the Judges feeling that while Carlito and Alex did well, Sierra stole the song.[7] but it was their performance of "Gravity" by Sara Bareilles that earned high remarks; The judges felt that Sierra has blossom as person though out the competition, Alex's vocals were "fricking crazy" and their performance as "perfect", bringing judges Kelly Rowland and Demi Lovato to tears, and securing their place in the finals.[7] Like "Say Something" before it, the couple's version of "Gravity" hit number 1 on iTunes.

For the finals, Alex & Sierra did three songs. They did their "save me" song from the re-vote show as their "song to win", "Give Me Love" by Ed Sheeran.[8] They also got to sing "Bleeding Love" with Leona Lewis, and their "song of the season" was "Say Something".[9] Despite the "Bleeding Love" performance receivng a bit of a mixed response mainly from Demi Lovato who said that it wasn't their best performance, but the other two songs received praise. Alex & Sierra were announced the winners of the season on December 19, 2013.[10] They are the first group to win the American version of the show.[11] In an interview with Simon Cowell after the winner was announced, Cowell revealed that Alex and Sierra received the most number of public votes every week of the competition.[12] He said that the margin for the number of votes had narrowed closer to the end of the season.[13]

Performances on The X Factor (2013)

  denotes having reached within the top ten of the iTunes charts.

2013–present: Debut studio album

Following their win on The X Factor, Alex and Sierra announced they would be making their debut album 'quick' and 'right'.[14]

Members

Alex Kinsey

Alex Kinsey, born September 8, 1991, is from New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Alex cites Jason Mraz as one of his biggest musical influences. In 1994, Alex was in a boy pageant called Little Master Edgewater, which he won.[7]

Sierra Deaton

Sierra Deaton, born February 11, 1991 in Orlando, Florida to parents Dr. John and Vu Deaton.[7] Her father John works in the College of Aeronautics as an professor in aviation human factors.[15] She has a sister.[7] She attended Lake Howell High School. Sierra cites Demi Lovato as a musical influence. For eleven years, Sierra competed in professional dancing competitions.[7]

References

  1. ^ "http://hollywoodlife.com/2013/09/12/alex-sierra-x-factor-audition-video-toxic-season-premiere/". HollywoodLife. September 12, 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2013. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  2. ^ "Alex and Sierra – You're The One That I Want – The X Factor USA 4-Chair Challenge". southomer. Oct 10, 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  3. ^ "Alex and Sierra with their cover of Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines". thexfactorusa. Oct 29, 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  4. ^ a b Wightman, Catriona. "'The X Factor' USA Big Band Week recap: Swinging and swooning". DigitalSpy. Retrieved Thursday, Nov 28 2013, 11:24am EST. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  5. ^ a b Wightman, Catriona. "The X Factor USA Diva & Unplugged week: Five best performances". DigitalSpy. Retrieved Thursday, Dec 5 2013, 11:46am EST. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  6. ^ Bentley, Jean. "'The X Factor': Simon Cowell says 'Say Something' was Alex and Sierra's star-making moment". blog.zap2it. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Wightman, Catriona. "The X Factor USA semi-final recap: Duet duels, tears & killer songs". DigitalSpy. Retrieved Thursday, Dec 12 2013, 12:15pm EST. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  8. ^ http://www.thexfactorusa.com/news/article/download-music-the-finale
  9. ^ X Factor USA: Paulina Rubio To Perform As Alex And Sierra, Jeff Gutt And Carlito Olivero Make It To Final - Celebrity Gossip, News & Photos, Movie Reviews, Competitions - Ente...
  10. ^ Still, Jennifer. "The X Factor USA: Grand finale". DigitalSpy. Retrieved Thursday, Dec 19 2013, 6:35pm EST. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  11. ^ "Top Three Finalists Announced on 'The X Factor'". tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. Retrieved 2013-12-13.
  12. ^ "Simon Cowell Interview at "The X Factor" USA Season 3 Finale Night 2 - Alex and Sierra". maximotv. Retrieved Dec 20, 2013.
  13. ^ Saltman, Laura. "Congrats to @TheXFactorUSA winners @AlexandSierra3 @SimonCowell told me backstage they were the #1 vote getters every single week it was on". Twitter. Retrieved 10:03 PM - 19 December 13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  14. ^ Murphy, Shaunna. "Alex & Sierra: 'X Factor' Winners Plan To Do 1st Album 'Quick' & 'Right'". Hollywood life. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  15. ^ Daliey, Space Coast. "Florida Tech Professor's Daughter Wins X Factor". Retrieved January 5, 2014.
Preceded by Winner of The X Factor
2013 		Succeeded by
N/A
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