by Todd Betzold

 

We go live tonight for the first time on The X Factor and find out which of the top 17 will make it through to the top 12.

 

Tonight, the top 17 will perform live for the judges and America and the judges have to chose the best three from their category who they want to move on to the top 12 (Simon will have to get rid of two girls tonight and the rest one).

 

Up first for the boys is Astro, bringing his rapping to the stage. Not gonna lie, that was very entertaining. They bring the backup dancers for the singers and he had the crowd going during this song.

 

Now we get to see Chris Rene, still going strong with the sobriety. I have always been a big fan of Chris', but I wasn't feeling this performance for him. I didn't like the song choice for him...it seemed rough to me.

 

The crooner Phillip Lomax is up next. Can he win over the crowd with his style? I thought it was decent, but nothing special. A lot of things going on on the stage at one time, but his singing wasn't that great. However, his smile will melt the hearts of many of the girls and boys watching....and get him many votes later on.

 

The last of the boys tonight is Marcus Candy. I am really liking Marcus. He had some major fun up there and it made me like him even more. He was dancing around and it was a great performance.

 

Now time for L.A. to send one of the boys home. The first two safe are Astro and Marcus Candy, leaving us with Chris Rene and Phillip Lomax. A tough call, but Chris Rene is moving on, which means Phillip Lomax is going home.

 

Time for the groups and up first for Paula are The Stereo Hogzz. They did an ok job. There was some great choreography and it was fun to watch, but got awkward at moments to me, but overall good.

 

The Brewer Boys, brothers, are up next. I really liked these boys. The mash-up of songs I wasn't too keen on, but I thought it was a good job by them. They seemed to be enjoying themselves up there and it made me like them more.

 

Up next is the group of kids formed at bootcamp, Intensity. Another fun and entertaining performance, but can I see them winning? No. Can I see them on tour with Disney? For sure.

 

The last of the groups is Lakoda Rayne. They struggled in rehearsals, but will they pull it together for the live show? This was kind of blah compared to the other groups. They just stood up there and sang...no real choreography. I was not a fan.

 

Now it is time for Paula to send one of the groups home. The first two safe are: The Stereo Hogzz and Lakoda Rayne. That leaves The Brewer Boys and Intensity. Moving on will be Intensity, so The Brewer Boys are sent home.

 

Time for the category that makes me cry every time, over 30s. Up first for Nicole is Dexter Haygood. I was skeptical with Nicole for choosing Dexter to move on to her final four and this performance confirmed it for me. The performance was lost on me and he doesn't seem that talented.

 

Leroy Bell is the next singer for Nicole. He is the oldest in the competition at 60, but those extra years give him more maturity and he did an amazing job. Such a smooth voice and I love hearing it.

 

Now time for my one of my main girls, Stacy Francis. She has brought it many times, but will she bring it to the live stage? I think she did...Simon did not. Simon seems to be hating on Nicole tonight, for sure. Stacy has an amazing voice and will have no problem moving on tonight.

 

The last of the over 30s is Josh Krajcik. Will the burrito-slinger bring it tonight? It was simple, it was raw and it was amazing. I think he is done with the burritos.

 

Now it is time for Nicole to send one of the over 30s home. The first two safe are: Stacy Francis and Josh Krajcik. That leaves us with Leroy Bell and Dexter Haygood. Moving on will be Leroy Bell, so Dexter Haygood will be going home...a wise choice for Nicole.

 

Time for Simon and the girls, which I feel is the strongest category. First up is Simone Battle, the one who I thought should not be here...will she prove me wrong? I think I saw what Simon was trying to do with Simone, but this was terrible. It even caused some controversy amongst the judges, as no one but Simon seemed to enjoy her or know why she was moved on to this round.

 

Time for another one of my main girls, Rachel Crow. This performance made me smile. She is so good and has got some chops on her. Her smile and giggle at the end made me smile even more. I love her.

 

Up next is Drew Ryniewicz, who is going by just Drew now. She has such a unique voice and I love it...it grows on me more and more every week. The song choice was perfect for her.

 

Tiah Tolliver, the one Simon fought Nicole and Paula for, is up next. It was a good performance. It was very dark and gothic. More bitterness between the judges...so much tension at the judge's table...it's taking away from the singers and it's childish and catty.

 

The last singer of the night is one of the favorites who almost went home, Melanie Amaro. First of all, she looks absolutely beautiful. With that being said, she sang absolutely beautiful. To take on a Whitney Houston song and sing it like that, wow.

 

Now it is time for Simon to send two of the girls home. The first two safe are: Drew and Rachel Crow. That leaves Simone Battle, Tiah Tolliver and Melanie Amaro...will he screw up again? He did not, as he moves Melanie Amaro onto the top 12 and sends home Tiah and Simone...he finally got it right.

 

That is your top 12 folks and they will sing next week as The X Factor goes back to their regular schedule next week airing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8/7c on Fox.

 

(Image courtesy of Fox)

 

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