Sharon Osbourne: (Introduction) Now we've got a huge big cup of Brown Sugar for you. It's Maria.
Intro clip... Maria: I feel scared because I feel I've got to deliver. I've given everything that I've got so far and I feel that now, you know, there's no... There’s nowhere else for me to go.
Sharon Osbourne: Maria's got what it takes to become a star. Tick all the boxes... Maria ticks every single one.
Maria: I just don't want to get comfortable with all the positive things that they're sayin', because I think that's when it can all be taken away from you.
Sharon Osbourne: The song that she's singing tonight is so left-field...
Maria: It's a tough rock song. Sharon and Mark have been pushing me to the edge and this has really taken me over, literally. I don't know the song very well; I'm struggling with the lyrics. I'm struggling with every part of it. I've been rehearsing day and night... Lyrics just don't seem to be sinking in... (Shakes her head) I'm scared... I just hope I can remember the words on the night. I really do.
Maria sings...
Kate Thornton: Louis, your comments please?
Louis Walsh: Maria, you... you really remind me of a... it's like a young Tina Turner. I mean it's not a very obvious song to sing. You did a great, great performance, and you know you deserve to be on that stage and I hope you go through.
Kate Thornton: Thanks Louis, Simon!
Simon Cowell: Totally disagree with Louis. (Groans) And I'll tell you why. I'll tell you why. Last week you sto... last week you stole the show. This week you became a singer at a New Year's Eve party. (Boos, Maria smiles) A... a good New Year's Eve party but it was still a New Year's Eve party. And I'll tell you why... you have to be dirty to sing that song. You're not. (Some titters, some groans)
Sharon Osbourne: But you know you'd like to find out whether she was.
Simon Cowell: (Laughs, as do the audience and Maria) She's a married woman!
Kate Thornton: Okay, thank you Simon.
Simon Cowell: But I'm right. I'm sorry but I'm right.
Kate Thornton: Thank you Simon.
Sharon Osbourne: I'm right; he does want to find out.
Kate Thornton: Sharon, what would you like to add?
Sharon Osbourne: I want to add that y... we pushed you and pushed you with this song choice. Not to do what's expected, a Whitney, a Mariah song and so we...
Louis Walsh: I agree.
Sharon Osbourne: ...keep pushing her, and each week she delivers.
Louis Walsh: (Nodding) Totally.
Sharon Osbourne: And I'm very proud of you. (Cheers)
Maria: (Mouths) Thank you.
Kate Thornton: Thank you very much Sharon. (To Maria) Maria, what would you like to say back to those comments? Particularly Simon's?
Maria: I'd like to say thank you very much. I mean I'm still, you know, developing and learning on the show, and still finding my niche. And I really respect the fact that Mark and Sharon's been pushing me to the edge and making me explore different possibilities. And I think it's great. I'm loving it... I love the challenge. So erm... (Audience cheers, Maria laughs) ...Thank you, thank you.
Kate Thornton: So you were happy with what you did up here tonight?
Maria: Well it's a tough... it's a tough song. It's a Rollin' Stones track and it's huge! So I just hope that I did it a little bit of justice, an' if people can please vote for me because I really need it... (Cheers) ...I really do.
Kate Thornton: Well you heard Maria; she needs your votes... (Kate gives out the voting numbers etc.) ...Ladies and gentlemen, let's hear it for Maria! (Kate kisses Maria on the cheek, Maria exits.)