CeCe Frey vs. Paige Thomas: Which X Factor Contestant Sang Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” Better?

CeCe “Leopard Face” Frey and Paige “Rihanna-esque Mohawk” Thomas went head-to-head during The X Factor’s Season 2 boot camp in Miami. The gorgeous girls sang Whitney Houston’s classic “I Will Always Love You” back-to-back in front of the judges — as the rest of the contestants watched. It’s one thing to sing in front of a live audience, it’s another thing to sing the same song as another contestant — in front of the judges and your peers.

Paige sang first, starting off strong, singing the lyrics throatier than the original recording. She faltered at the higher notes, seemingly stretching her voice further than it wanted to go. CeCe followed Paige, prancing onstage in a bright pink skirt and her trademark leopard print face paint. CeCe’s cover seemed much more effortless than Paige’s — and it was also much truer to the original recording. CeCe managed to hit the high notes. Judge Simon Cowell noted, ominously, that only one of them sang that song right.

Who do you think sang it better: Paige or CeCe?