by Todd Betzold

 

It's time to find out the top 16 on tonight's episode of The X Factor. We have a two-hour episode to announce the top 16, so this is going to be drug out big time!

 

The first two girls to find out from Simon if they made it or not are Simone Battle and Tora Woloshin. Good words for both of them, but Tora is told she is not moving on and Simone will be moving on to the live shows.

 

Up next for the girls is Drew Ryniewicz, the Justin Bieber fan. Simon tells her that she was the best contestant of the day and will be singing at the live shows.

 

Now time for Nicole to announce some of the over 30s group she has chosen to move on. Up first is burrito-slinger Josh Krajcik. Nicole is not sure if the guy-next-door can be a super star, but he is worth the shot and moving on to the live shows.

 

Up next for Nicole to tell them their fate are Christa Collins, James Kenney and Dexter Haygood. It's so hard to see any of this group go home and I shed some tears at these announcements, but going home are Christa and James and moving on is Dexter (the first shocker to me tonight).

 

It's Paula's time to announce some of the groups that will be moving on to the live shows. Up first for Paula are Illusion Confusion, 2 Squar'd and Brewer Boys. Moving on to the live shows will be Brewer Boys. That means going home are Illusion Confusion and 2 Squar'd.

 

Now it is time for 4Shore to find out their fate. And another shocker, as Paula tells them she can't take them to the live shows.

 

The boys are up now and first to face L.A. is Brian "Astro" Bradley. L.A. tells him he is a champ and will be joining his team for the live shows.

 

Up next for the boys are Skylar Anderson, Brennin Hunt, Phillip Lomax and Nick Voss. Going home are Nick, Skylar and Brennin. That means that Phillip will be bringing his crooning-style to the live shows.

 

Back to the girls and up next is one of my faves, Jazzlyn Little. Did her nerves get the best of her or will Simon move her on? Well, it's a no for Jazzlyn, which ticks me off because she is better then Simone....dang you Simon!

 

For the over 30s, next up is Leroy Bell and Tiger Budbill. Will it be the oldest guy in the competition or the guy who is about to lose his home moving on? Leroy finally will get his chance to shine when he hits the stage for the live shows, but unfortunately Tiger is sent home.

 

Chris Rene is up next for L.A. He's clean and sober, but will he be performing at the live shows? He got a yes and will be going to the live shows.

 

The groups formed at bootcamp will be on the chopping block next with Paula. Will Intensity or Lakoda Rayne move on? It will be both, as Paula moves both of the groups to the live shows.

 

With only two spots left for Simon, next up to find out their fate are Tiah Tolliver and Caitlin Koch. He sends home Caitlin and no shocker, but the girl he fought for from the beginning, Tiah, is moving on to the live shows.

 

With only one spot left for each group, this is where it gets crazy...especially with the girls left (Rachel Crow and Melanie Amaro).

 

The guys are up first with Marcus Candy and Tim Cifers left. In not a surprise vote, Tim is sent home and Marcus will be moving on to the live shows. Marcus was at the end of the two years his mom gave him to try out the music business, so good for him.

 

The last two groups left are The Stereo Hogzz and The Anser. This is another shocker because these are two great groups and sad to see one of them go home, but Paula sends The Anser home and moves The Stereo Hogzz on to the live shows.

 

Elaine Gibbs and Stacy Francis are the two left in the over 30s group...another one that is too tough to call, but Stacy Francis is my girl so it has to be her Nicole. And my girl made it, as Nicole moves Stacy on to the live shows and unfortunately sends Elaine home...such a sad decision.

 

This is going to be the biggest decision of the show for me, which is why they saved it for last. It is the final two girls: Melanie Amaro and Rachel Crow. I don't want either of them to go home, but it seems obvious who will be sent home and that makes me sad and makes me question why Simon moved Simone to the live shows. And wow is all I can say....Simon sent home Melanie, the one everyone was saying was going to be the winner of the show, and kept Rachel. I was so sad for Melanie, but so happy for my girl Rachel...I'm still in shock though!

 

We now have our top 16, but do we? They show Simon and later that night he questions his decisions and thinks he made a huge mistake. He says he felt fine an hour ago, but now he is not certain. To right a wrong, Simon heads to Florida and surprises Melanie with an invitation to the live shows, which she of course accepts. So, now we have a top 17!

 

The X Factor airs on Tuesdays at 8/7c on Fox.

 

(Image courtesy of Fox)

 

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