‘Walk the Line’ Recap: Simon Cowell’s New Show Premieres With Unique Performances
iTV Reading Time: 3 minutes
New show Walk the Line, from producer Simon Cowell, premiered today giving singers a chance to win £500,000. The iTV show follows five performers per episode with one winner each night earning the chance to move forward in the competition.
At the end of each night’s performances, the in-person and virtual audience voters choose the best of the five performers. The winner of each night can either take home £10,000, or Walk the Line to stay in the competition and compete the following night against a new group of performers for a chance at a higher reward. The final winner at the end of the week will take home the £500,000.
If winner of each night chooses to cash out of the competition for £10,000, the second place winner moves on to the next round. If the winner decides to Walk the Line and perform again for the chance at the £500,000, they move forward to perform again. They must continue to win each night, otherwise they walk away with nothing.
The new show is hosted by Maya Jama with Alesha Dixon, Gary Barlow, Dawn French, and singer Craig David on the judging panel. In addition to giving the performer’s feedback after they sing, the judges are there to advise the acts on whether they should “take the money and run,” or come back to perform again.
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During tonight’s first episode, we saw one group act and four solo performers. Queenz, the high-energy group of drag queens who showed off powerful vocals, along with 26-year-old Eloise Viola and 38-year-old American Brendan Reilly were the bottom three despite heartfelt performances.
The judges thought the decision would be between Ella Rothwell, a 28-year-old hospital administrative assistant; A.J. Brown, a 31-year-old singer-songwriter; and Brendan. After the audience vote, A.J. and Ella were the top two acts.
A.J. sang while playing the piano to a slow and touching rendition of “God Only Knows” by the Beach Boys.
“I am quite emotional, I think it’s just the last couple of years not getting to do that [perform live] and that’s where I’m most happy, at a piano,” he said after the performance.
Ella, on the other hand, performed an original song, “I Wonder if You’re Happy.” Her deep, soulful voice and heartfelt performance gave Adele vibes and won the judges over.
“Really beautiful song, that can actually be a hit record I think,” said Barlow. “What’s interesting is I’m watching a singer, but I’m also seeing an artist…all of a sudden it’s not only about a night, I wonder what you’ll do tomorrow.”
The judges all agreed the song, and performance, was professionally done, and it was Ella who earned the chance to Walk the Line. Although she said £10,000 would change her life, the judges encouraged her to Walk the Line and perform again, they thought she had what it takes to win the overall competition and the £500,000 at the end of the week.
Ella chose to Walk the Line, which means she will perform against four more contestants in the next episode for a chance to win the show and £500,000. Be sure to watch the next set of performances tomorrow night at 8 p.m. GMT on iTV.
