by: Todd Betzold

The group performances continue on tonight's The X Factor before naming the top 32 and finding out which group each judge will mentor.

The first group tonight includes brother and sister Chris and Gina Rene and they'll be singing "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye. It was a very energetic performance and they all did a great job. Good performances by all.

Apparently two of the groups weren't even worthy enough to show their performances, as they just sped through them.

Up next, the group will be singing "I Won't Let Go" by Rascal Flatts. Not many people that were highlighted in the auditions are in this group, so we shall see if anyone stands out. This group decides to start out with only one on the stage and come out one by one as the song progresses. Tim Cifers started it out and stole the performance. They all did excellent, but this song was made for him.

The third group of the night has brothers, The Brewer Boys, and the group will be singing "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol. A little fight for parts of the song, as two of them wanted the same part. A simple coin toss decides it for them, so no drama. This performance started out really rough, but the last two performers brought it home.

We are now done with all the group performances and it is time for the judges to make some more cuts. They are broken into three groups again. The first group gets a no and we get to see angry Reina, as she is sent home. The next two groups both get yeses and will be sticking around for the next challenge.

So, we are down to 64 acts and they will be given a choice of 35 songs to choose from and have the night to perfect it and perform in front of the judges and a jam-packed audience. It's do or die time for the $5 million. Half will only make it through to the judges' homes to be mentored.

Rachel Crow is up first, as she chose to sing "If I Were A Boy" by Beyonce. This was beyond amazing. Bring on the chills for me (which will probably happen a lot from this point on). This little girl can sing.

The judges will not give any comments after the performance and will make their decisions later.

We move quickly through some auditions, before taking a look at Audrey Turner. A decent performance, but nothing special. Time for Paige Elizabeth, who also does alright, but nothing over-the-top. Tiger Budbill keeps that streak going, as a so-so performance again.

It is now time for Josh Krajcik, who will be singing ""Up To The Mountain" by Kelly Clarkson. I don't think Josh will be slinging burritos ever again, as he puts on a stellar performance. He is good people!

Fierce Simone Battle, hits the stage believing she can be the next pop icon and will be singing "Your Song" by Elton John. However, she forgot every word of the song and decided to make up her own song. It was horrendous.

That trend continues, as 4Shore, Little Ladiez, Makenna and Brock and Siameze Floyd all forget words and put on some bad performances. The judges are not happy with the arrangements the performers are coming up with for these songs, including Brennin Hunt, who Simon cuts off early and questions why he didn't sing with just a piano.

The Stereo Hogzz are hoping to turn that trend around. As one member dedicates the performance to his one-month-old baby daughter, the group definitely does stop that trend as they put on a great performance.

The boys come out swinging, as Brian Bradley, Phillip Lomax, Chris Rene and Nick Dean all bring their A game and do some very good performances. Watch out girls!

Up next is one of my favorites, Stacy Francis, who's father passed away the first day of boot camp, has had to go through this process and miss her father's funeral. So sad. She sings "Summer Time" and brings me back to Fantasia singing it on American Idol. It was an emotional performance that wowed me again...she will be one of the final singers in this competition.

Stacy gets the girls going strong, as Tiah Tolliver, Cari Fletcher, Drew Ryniewicz and Caitlin Koch all give great performances. It's back on boys!

Leroy Bell, who shined last night in the group performances and at 59 years old is giving it his all in his final attempt to make it big. It was a very good performance and he can sing, I just feel he isn't what Simon is looking for as the winner.

This ends the performances and now time to find out the top 32! They will get split into four categories: guys, girls, groups and over 30s. Each category will get eight acts and one judge will mentor their own category to battle each other to win.

For the girls: Caitlin Koch, Tora Woloshin, Simone Battle, Drew Ryniewicz, Rachel Crow, Jazzlyn Little, Melanie Amaro and Tiah Tolliver.

For the guys: Brennin Hunt. Brian Bradley, Skylar Anderson, Nick Voss, Tim Cifers, Phillip Lomax, Marcus Candy and Chris Rene.

For the groups: The Stereo Hogzz, Two Squared, 4Shore, The Brewer Boys, Illusion Confusion and The Answer (which to me is only six, what happened to the 8??)

For the over 30s: Elaine Gibbs, Tiger Budbill, Leroy Bell, James Kenny, Josh Krajcik, Christa Collins, Dexter Haygood and Stacy Francis (talk about a tearjerker for these announcements).

So, about those missing two groups. They called back 14 singers and separated them into a group of ten and a group of four, which will be two separate groups competing in the group category...weird!

Now time for which category each judge will mentor: Nicole has over 30s, L.A. has the boys, Paula has the groups and Simon has the girls.

The X Factor airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8/7c on Fox.

(Image courtesy of Fox)

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