Undoubtably the most naturally talented of this years crop of wannabes, the 19-year-old had been saved by the judges whenever she faced elimination.
However, with no sing-off in last night’s semi-final, Misha was at the whim of an unforgiving public, which seemed to never have forgotten the allegations of bullying which have dogged the Manchester singer since the halfway point of the competition.
For her part, Misha was gracious in defeat, perhaps realising that a recording contract surely awaits, such was the strength of her performances over the past two months.
“I just want to say thank you to everyone at X Factor…and everybody that supported me back home through the thick and thin, I love you and thank you very much,” she said immediately after her elimination.
She also paid tribute to the support and belief her mentor, Kelly Rowland, had provided during the series. The pair bonded over the fact both had absentee fathers.
“I’m just so blessed and Kelly Rowland is the best. I love you and I think I love you is the best way to put everything, thanks for everything… This is just the beginning, and thank you so much.”
Earlier in the show, teen heart-throb Justin Beiber wowed the crowd with his new Christmas song, Under the Mistletoe.
After flirting shamelessy with judge Cheryl Cole on last year’s series, cheeky Beiber was up to his old tricks, letting judges Tulisa and Kelly Rowland know exactly how he felt about them with a few winks and some 17-year-old crooning.
Rowland also performed, putting her money where her mouth was after offering advice and criticism for the past three months.
She sang When Love Takes Over and Down for Whatever, ripping off her dres midway through to reveal a tiny black sparkling bra top and hot pants.
