Reality Singing Shows: 25 Best Performances of 2014

The Olympics of Reality Singing Competition is back! But unlike last year, this edition is much more interactive. The usual suspects are still included - American Idol, The Voice US, The X Factor Australia, The X Factor UK, and The Sing-Off - but we now have the addition of The Voice UK, The Voice Australia, and Rising Star US in the mix.

This made the process a lot harder as we sift through all the performances, hence the extended help from the best set of people - seven [7] people - that are also into these reality singing competitions. You will be surprised with how much background they all have regarding the landscape of these shows.

So, DAM NATION gave them a shortlist of 60 performances and asked the panel to rank them according to their personal preferences. Tallied the scores up, and came up with a definitive list of 25 Best Performances of 2014. Sounds fun right?

Reality Singing Shows: 25 Best Performances of 2013. 

See what you make of this little lot below, and let us know of your thoughts.

Reality Singing Shows: 25 Best Performances of 2013

American Idol. The Voice USA. The X Factor Australia. The Voice Philippines. The X Factor UK. The Sing-Off. The X Factor USA. Yes, I've been reviewing most of these shows for a couple of years now, and this is the only moment where I figured why not make a definitive list of top performances for the year as if it's the Olympics of Reality Singing Shows!

True, I had a hard time doing that on their specific shows, so the task of coming up with a year-end list of 25 Best Performances would be almost next to impossible, but I was up for the challenge. That being said, just like many other lists or countdowns, this one is extremely biased. It's based on personal preferences. There will probably be some performances that are nowhere to be found on your list that may be as high as 10 or something on here - actually I guarantee it. But please respond maturely, flames don't make me particularly happy.

Now, we pay tribute to the LIVE reality singing competition performances that made these shows worth watching - and reviewing!:

X Factor 3 Wrap-Up: 20 Best Performances

And it finally happened! I didn't think it was possible, but Alex & Sierra completely owned the competition! Their performances proved why most of them will NEVER be the winner of X Factor USA: they were all week by week schooled by Alex & Sierra! Really. Nobody can touch them. They were so far ahead of the others, they weren't even visible in their rearview mirror. I've never seen something this lopsided to be honest.

But enough of that. So, other than Alex & Sierra, who else made the list?

X Factor US 3: Finale Results Show

For an overly underwhelming season of X Factor USA with incredibly tragic ratings, somehow, the show managed to have probably the most promising and marketable winner out of any reality singing competition this year! Simon Cowell better give them the best material possible album as they will probably be the only saving grace of this show. Oh, and the performances were verging from good to huh? Haha. I don't know.

So that's it! It's been a blast - who am I kidding? - reviewing this show, but with all honesty, I think this show got the right winner! Yay!

Let's cut to the chase! And the winner of The X Factor Season 3 is..

RESULTS after the jump!! 

X Factor US 3: Finale

Yesterday, a new The Voice winner was crowned, and it's time for X Factor US to have it's third winner under it's belt. The Finale show was a little underwhelming in terms of song choices - Alex & Sierra reprised two songs! What was up with that? - but for the most part, all of them delivered solid performances.

Also, I was pretty confident that Alex & Sierra had this in the bag since last week, but somehow, Jeff Gutt managed to pull off a strong set of performances that it could somehow slightly affect the results by tomorrow, but we'll see.

Oh, and Paulina Rubio performed and that was the most amusing thing I've seen this year. Seriously. Haha. 

Let's get on with the rankings, shall we?

X Factor US 3: Top 6 Studio Versions

Here are the Top 6 Studio Versions where Alex & Sierra dominated the iTunes as it ranked #1 for 2 days beating the original. This somehow started the whole trend as Alex & Sierra and some X Factor contestants rose to the charts unexpectedly.

DAM'S PICK: Say Something by Alex & Sierra, Say My Name by Alex & Sierra, and Wake Me Up by Restless Road.

X Factor US 3: Top 4 Results Show

Just like The Voice, X Factor concludes next week, but before that, they have to reveal first the three acts that will be fighting for that $1M recording contract with Simon Cowell's label.

So yes, despite all the mess that happened throughout this season, X Factor found gems with Alex & Sierra as they continue to rank incredibly high on iTunes. Gravity sits pretty at #1 and their performance from last week, Say Something is still at #9, while Little Talks is currently at #12. They have not won yet, but they already have 6 songs in the Top 100 of iTunes. Oh, and Jeff also placed really high at #5 with Hallelujah - just putting it out there.

Results after the jump!

X Factor US 3: Top 4

I may not agree with this set of Semifinalists - somehow, I was still hoping Khaya Cohen, Josh Levi and Ellona Santiago are still in the competition - but I can't really fault the remaining finalists as they somehow delivered great performances this week. I still prefer one from the others, but that's beside the point.

Oh, and finally, X Factor is creating buzz with Alex & Sierra. They ranked #1 on iTunes last week with Say Something - outperforming the original for two days - and #9 with Say My Name, and somehow this duo are the show's only hope of being renewed for another season. Plus, I'm loving the craziness of Paulina Rubio for some odd reason. Yes, she's not the most articulate, but she's the most entertaining part of the show! Haha.

X Factor US 3: Top 8 Studio Versions

You know what's interesting, I'm seeing more people downloading X Factor US Studio Versions compared to The Voice. I seriously didn't see that one coming. Who knew?

DAM'S PICK: I Knew You Were Trouble. by Alex & Sierra, Treasure by Josh Levi, and Mama Knows Best by Ellona Santiago

X Factor US 3: Top 6 Results Show

IT HAPPENED AGAIN! Another talented contestant got eliminated and things are getting ridiculous. Seriously. How come the less vocally talented people are still in this whole thing? I have nothing more to say. It's annoying.

Results after the jump!

X Factor US 3: Top 6

This week they went all DIVA and UNPLUGGED and after Rachel Potter, Khaya Cohen, Lillie McCloud and Josh Levi got eliminated the past couple of weeks, I figured that this show will just rot in hell. But with two fantastic performances from Alex & Sierra and a couple of good ones from the other acts, this has to be one of the best episodes of X Factor this season. Oh, and somehow Paulina Rubio was unintentionally entertaining that I didn't mind her talking nonsense during the whole program.

I just hope America voted for Alex & Sierra as they seem to vote out the actual good singers no?

X Factor US 3: Top 10 Studio Versions

I honestly find this theme weird - British Invasion - but I digress. I think a lot of people stumbled, but a few rose to the occasion and they're the usual suspects. Haha.

DAM'S PICK: Best Song Ever by Alex & Sierra, Sweet Dreams by Josh Levi, and Your Song by Rion Paige

X Factor US 3: Top 12 Studio Versions

Here are the studio versions for the Top 12 week where they all tackled the 80s. Not exactly the most current theme - obviously - but there were a couple gems in this group.

DAM'S PICK: Straight Up by Josh Levi, Addicted To Love by Alex & Sierra, and Borderline by Khaya Cohen

X Factor US 3: Top 13 Studio Versions

So, I've decided to post it anyway. Not sure how many are interested, but whatever. If I see that the interest is low for this post, I may just not post them.

DAM'S PICKS: I Heard It Through The Grapevine by Alex & Sierra, My Girl by Khaya Cohen and You Keep Me Hanging On by Sweet Suspense

X Factor US 3: Top 8 Results Show

X FACTOR US IS SUCH A JOKE. I mean, how come we always eliminate good people every week? Rachel Potter in Week 1, Khaya Cohen in Week 2, and now.. THAT? Simon was such a wuss to send the decision to deadlock. Why? Are you scared that the other person will ring your neck? Ok. I'm a terrible person, but I digress.

Oh, and this was so terrible, Demi Lovato performed and she should've been eliminated just from that vocals alone.

Results after the jump!

X Factor US 3: Top 8

Didn't expect that! Minus Restless Road's restless performance, this was probably X Factor's best episode this season. I didn't have a problem with the rest of the acts and for a big band theme, this was pretty good.

That said, the emphasis on the backstory on this show is so much worse than on any other reality singing competition. It's almost absurd! But I digress.

X Factor US 3: Top 10 Results Show

The results this week were a mixed bag although I was dead on with my prediction from yesterday's post. One deserved to go home since The 4 Chair Challenge, but the other one - just like Rachel Potter from last week - was probably one of the only few people who could actually sing. It's a bit frustrating that as the number dwindle down to 8, we're stuck with half mediocre singers and half good vocalists. Oh well.

Oh, and just so you know, One Direction performed their new single, Story Of My Life.

Results after the jump!

X Factor US 3: Top 10

It's British Invasion Week and that's all I have to say as an introduction to this show. Ok. I'm kidding. But what else to say about this mess a show. Look, a couple of people did deliver nice to good performances, but for the most part, it's just blah. I don't know. It's frustrating and sad that this show isn't even trying to be good. Haha.

Oh, and Kelly Rowland just proved that she shouldn't be on this mess.

X Factor US 3: Top 12 Results Show

Wow. With this kind of result, I wouldn't be surprised if Tim Olstad end up winning this whole thing and watch as Simon's biggest nightmare unfolds in front of him. Look, I never warmed up to the two eliminated acts, but they certainly weren't the worst act yesterday. I guess, I shouldn't expect much from a trainwreck season of X Factor no? Also, why was Demi Lovato so rude to Mario Lopez? Geez.

Oh, Selena Gomez and Fifth Harmony performed, and yes, I'm just putting it out there.

Results after the jump!

X Factor US 3: Top 12

ARE YOU F&%$ING KIDDING ME? '80s THEME? WAY TO BE RELEVANT! It would've been better if it's 1780s instead. Bring on Mozart! Haha. This show is giving me a headache!

But seriously, I don't think this show is even trying to survive after this season. It's like they gave up and just going along with the flow. It's a shame because there are a couple of little gems in this group. Yes, this is still probably the worst Top 12 in the history of reality singing competition, but potential is there. 

Oh, and Carlos Guevara was eliminated. Just putting it out there. Haha.