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Adenike Adenitire

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Why Misha B Should Thank Tulisa

Posted: 8/12/2011 23:00

I'm sure I wasn't the only one who resisted throwing my dinner at the TV after witnessing judge Tulisa's crocodile tears on Sunday night's X Factor, as Misha B sang her heart out for the last time, giving a perfect rendition of Jessie J's Who You Are, before being booted off the show and out of the final.

I thought to be myself, "save the waterworks love, as for someone who is always barking on about 'keeping it real' you're displaying less credibility than Frankie Cocozza wearing a 'Just Say No' T-shirt right about now!"

But even though I say that, if I were to run into Misha B out doing her Christmas shopping tomorrow (hopefully she won't be sporting that rhino horn hairstyle, as colliding with that could prove pretty painful), the first thing I would say to her is, "I hope you've got Tulisa's present at the top of your list, Mish."

The reason? Pretty simple. The whole 'bullying saga', which inevitably helped to seal Misha's fate, actually did her a BIG favour, for several reasons.

Firstly, what 'real' artist wants to win the X Factor anyway?

I've been watching X Factor since the very first series and as much as I love the show, to me that is exactly what it is - a show, and when the 'winner' is crowned and the curtain falls, it's back to the real world - and in the real world most of these acts just don't cut it.

But then why would they? Their introduction to the record-buying public has been essentially taking part in a high-budget televised karaoke fest and being drowned in stage production and outfits, which have nothing to do with who they want to be as artists - that's if they've even had time to think about that element.

And if they do win the show, this goes into overdrive, from Simon Cowell's team concocting the usual middle of the road drivel to pack into an 'album' of songs usually reserved for the in-store playlist at BHS, and being slotted into a image which just doesn't fit...Don't believe me?

I'm sure Steve Brookstein, Joe McElderry and Leon What's-his-face will back me up if you spot them out at the opening of an envelope somewhere. Even Alexandra Burke's debut didn't live up to the sassy Beyonce-lite vibe she showcased as a contestant on the show, instead it was more something Simon's ex-squeeze Sinitta might churn out if she was still releasing records.

Elsewhere, Leona Lewis may have sold well first time out, but these days she's hardly the name on everyone's lips, is she? A good voice she may have, but the authenticity and spark of an Amy Winehouse or Adele always tips the scales in the end. Are you getting the picture?

Now try imagining this: Misha B fitting into this way of doing things. As the only act on the show that showcased even an ounce of creative individuality with both her styling and her cleverly-crafted raps, this would have been more of a disaster than the bright idea to dye Amelia Lily's hair pink!

Secondly, everyone loves an underdog, don't they? Let's set the scene...Misha disappears for a few months in which time everyone has forgotten about her or written her off. This year's winner has already released that coma-inducing album I described earlier, which is now languishing at the bottom of the bargain bin at Tesco and they are now struggling to pay money for someone, anyone, to give a poop.

Misha, without the usual pressure placed on the winner's shoulders, having had time to gather her thoughts, figure out the direction she wants to go in and pick her own producers and collaborators, emerges like a phoenix rising, and takes her rightful place in the bosom of the credible pop world. I mean, it worked for Cher Lloyd, who also found it hard to connect with the public while on the show. Well, minus the credible part anyway.

Furthermore, valuable connections such as mentor Kelly Rowland (one of her biggest supporters) and super producer/rapper Missy Elliott interested in working with her (we all saw that tweet love fest between the two) won't hurt either. In addition, it's no coincidence that Hollywood director Tim Burton chose Misha out of all the contestants to voice a character in his next movie. He obviously saw a star quality he didn't in the others.

Thirdly, if Misha needs to draw inspiration from anywhere, she should cast her glittery eye-shadowed eyes over to the US, where on their version of the X Factor, another young act, 14 year-old rapper Astro, who could already be described as a true artist, writing his own quirky and thought-provoking rhymes (just like Misha), was rumored to have signed to Jay-Z's record label Roc Nation within moments of getting voted off the show. Even though young Astro is currently shooting down the authenticity of those reports, I'm sure any X Factor contestants UK or US would pack up their karaoke mic stand quicker than you can say "the act I am sending home..." for that kind of an opportunity.

So I guess what I am trying to say, is "Tulisa love, dry your fake tears. Our Mish is destined to be a bigger 'female boss' that you'll ever be". Minus the cheesy tattoo. Obvs.

 

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I'm sure I wasn't the only one who resisted throwing my dinner at the TV after witnessing judge Tulisa's crocodile tears on Sunday night's X Factor, as Misha B sang her heart out for the last time, gi...
I'm sure I wasn't the only one who resisted throwing my dinner at the TV after witnessing judge Tulisa's crocodile tears on Sunday night's X Factor, as Misha B sang her heart out for the last time, gi...
 
 
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06:04 PM on 12/28/2011
Misab should have won not little mix she was the best one there she has great vocals that was the only reason why I was watching xfactor but when she got booted off I did not bother watch it again and has far has I am concern tulsain was unprofessonal all because she wanted little mix to win but you know what misha is going to blow up in the music careear and when had album comes out I well be buying it you go mishab you are going to make it you go girl big fanxx
08:36 PM on 12/18/2011
Go to YouTube, search for "misha b heaven g-a-y", then for "misha b michael g", (I kid you not...), listen to a few of the videos, then try to convince me that Misha B is not one of the greatest performers, nor one of the greatest female singers in popular music today. She is as good as, and very different from, all of my favourite ladies. At times it's her quality which interests me the most, at others it's her uniqueness, but most of the time it's both.

Tulisa who?
12:32 PM on 12/12/2011
I dont see how calling her a bully affected her votes, the day after the comment was made she pulled 3rd, then 10th, 3rd, 7th, 2nd, 5th then 4th. I could be wrong but wouldnt her votes just go down and not up and down, if the bully comment was to blame. seems to me she was voted on her performances.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Fudgefase
Boldly going nowhere...
11:23 AM on 12/11/2011
Bet she's signed already - and starting work on that first album in the new year....
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rawulom
09:50 PM on 12/09/2011
Nike I totally agree with your inciteful analysis. But my problem with Tulisa's behaviour is if allowed to go unchecked and with someone going to her personally to warn her to desist from insulting and maligning a whole black race (She wouldnt have done that to Amelia Lily or any other) which Misha represents. Tulisa should be warned in no uncertain terms NEVER to try that next time.
12:04 PM on 12/09/2011
Misha B may have a good strong voice and yet her personality has let her down a lot. I still do not think it is right that the stupid judges should have opened their big mouths by telling her that she has lost the x factor because the public know about her bullying. It wasn't right that these stupid judges should have even mentioned that, but they are there JUST TO JUDGE the talents of the contestants and not to put more salt on the wound. Surely there is someone who actually has some control over the contestants' behaviour off stage
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rawulom
09:52 PM on 12/09/2011
What do you really mean by personality? You mean because she is black therefore her colour and race has let her down? Who has brainwashed you that white colour is better? What a dumb statement to make.
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Fudgefase
Boldly going nowhere...
11:31 AM on 12/11/2011
? How do you make that jump? People of all racial types can be brash, loud and aggressive - and often this seems to mean 'good television' nowadays (I refer you to some of the terrible behaviour in America's Next Top Model, another 'reality' show that encourages the loud, brash and aggressive to perform for the camera) BUT we should never forget it is a scripted show and we only see a few minutes of carefully edited film to show people the way the producers reckon will get the biggest reaction. On the other hand, I wish these kids who mimic the US ghetto culture would get a bit more creative and figure out that it's possible to be talented and pleasant at the same time.
05:35 PM on 12/12/2011
I mean that her personality is not popular and nothing whatsoever relating to what colour she is, black white or brown makes no difference and noone brainwashed me. I am not orejudice in any way whatsoever so why dont you learn to read before making such a stupid comment. By the way I dont think Little Mix should have won as I preferred Marcus and he should have got the vote, and therefore it must be obvious now that I am not prejudiced against colour or crede. Put that in your pipe and smoke it clown
11:48 AM on 12/09/2011
Well i think that is the best commentary i have seen re the Misha B & Toiletlisa since this sorry business began. I never wanted that talent to go anywhere near the sycho machinery to get chewed up for a year. I hope Kelly realises what a fantastic decision she made taking Misha into the house and should follow through and take her to US with her. Misha You have it all to play for. The world is your oyster go girl go grab your piece of the pie, youve earned it.
12:12 AM on 12/09/2011
Misha will go on to huge success but no need to diss Alexandra and Leona they both have albums coming out in 2012 and are the most successful winners, Bad Boys was great.
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Thomas Platt
12:00 AM on 12/09/2011
Been saying this all along. Voting for someone to win the X Factor is about the worst thing you can do for them - what happens if they win? They have a massive single, receive a pittance for it, and then their credibility's tanked. Everyone's heard of them but no-one takes them seriously. Back to normal life then, for the majority of them (those without the artistic clout to reforge themselves in the public eye and escape the Cowell Puppet Syndrome) except with the added humiliation of forever being "Hey, you're X, you won X Factor, why are you selling insurance now?"

Better to come second, and be the scrappy underdog, the one who was robbed, the one for whom the people that voted might actually stand a chance of buying their record. Better to be Misha B than whatever poor sod wins it this year.