Marlisa Punzalan, the Filipina teener who has been wowing judges on the X Factor Australia, has made it into the show’s Top 3 finalists.
Fifteen-year-old Punzalan went head-to-head with fellow-contestant and crowd favorite Reigan Derry on Monday night’s Live Decider episode; battling it out to round out the Top 3. Brothers 3 and Dean Ray secured spots for themselves after receiving the highest votes.
Derry gave it her all with her version of “Hallelujah,” but it was the Filipina’s rendition of “Help” by the Beatles that sealed the deal, snagging Punzalan a spot in the Top 3.
On Sunday’s episode, Punzalan nailed the Alicia Keys song “Girl on Fire,” which led one of the show’s judges, Dannii Minogue to enthuse: “You are on fire. Not only have you stepped into your voice and confidence, but you are mastering those rounds. Amazing.”
Redfoo, another judge, lauded Punzalan for her “great vocal” whilst advising her to beef up on the “body language.”
Punzalan is the only Filipino performer to make it to the finals; with all-Filipina girl group, Trill, having been eliminated early on in the show.
The Top 3 will duke it out in next week’s season finals.