by Todd Betzold

We saw some big eliminations last week on The X Factor as the Top 16 acts took the stage and performed for their mentors in hopes of being picked to move on to the Top 12 this week. One act was sent home from each category and now it is up to America to vote for the winner as the Top 12 take the stage tonight to win your votes.

Many people complained and the judges must have heard, as they kick off the show tonight with Simon Cowell making an announcement: Diamond White will be making a return to the show and we will have a Top 13, not a Top 12! Everyone happy? The theme this week is "Song from the Movies," but we saw last week the theme doesn't even matter.

Arin Ray (Teens) - "American Boy" by Estelle
He thought he was going home last week (and I was hoping), but here he is and hoping to give the best performance he can and not be in the bottom two. I have expressed that I am not a fan of Arin, but this was a good performance and he did very well and a great song choice. L.A. said he is a different person from the first time he met him. Demi said she is speechless and he was more smooth this week. Simon said it was a big difference this week and he is turning into a pop star. Britney said he owned it and rocked it.

Paige Thomas (Young Adults) - "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin
She wants to do this for her daughter, but she was getting kind of close and sexual with the guy on the stage...keep it clean for your daughter! It started rough as she came flying in from the ceiling, but then got better and then she seemed to get drowned out by the music and the background singers. L.A. said she seemed angelic coming from the ceiling, but he was not blown away. Britney said the beginning was the best part and it was shocking. Simon said the beginning was great, but it needed to go somewhere. Demi said she did so amazing and it was so beautiful.

Vino Alan (Over 25s) - "When A Man Loves A Woman" by Percy Sledge
We find out that Vino performs for the troops and they are out supporting him, so that could help him out with the voting. I was not impressed by Vino at all last week, but he brought it back tonight. This was a good performance and he had the voice I liked before. Britney said the performance was stripped and it showed off his vocal performance. Demi said he poured his heart and soul on the stage, but she doesn't see him being a pop star. Simon said he went from zero to hero in one week. L.A. said we nailed it and you nailed it.

Emblem3 (Groups) - "My Girl"/"California Gurls" Medley
The boys are cute and have the girls right in their back pocket and this performance just confirms that even more. I loved this melody and thought it was so fun and so upbeat and they performed it very well. L.A. said they were perfect and he doesn't like that. Britney said she was blown away by how they made that song their own. Demi said they were great, but he shouldn't have plugged another artist (One Direction) that they can be compared to. Simon said it is being clever and it was everything a band like them should be.

Beatrice Miller (Teens) - "Iris" by The Goo Goo Dolls
She was having issues with her vocal cords and them being scratched up, so will she survive this performance? I have always been iffy when it comes to Beatrice, but I liked her during this performance. She has a unique sound to her voice and this song did well for her. She seemed very confident on stage and I liked it. L.A. said the tone of her voice sounds like a hit record. Demi said she can connect with her through the song. Simon said he can see her working and it was a better performance. Britney said she has the best personality and she is really special.

Jenell Garcia (Young Adults) - "I Love Rock and Roll" by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
Going into this performance, I thought she would rock it out and do an amazing job. It was decent, but nothing about it made me go crazy for her. L.A. said it was good, but it was a Joan Jett parody. Britney said it was hot. Simon said he doesn't like what Demi has done with her and it was a straight cover. Demi said the girls are going crazy here and she did well.

Tate Stevens (Over 25s) - "Wanted Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi
He said it is his family's dream for him and that is why he has to stay here now. I like Tate and he can sing and he put a little country twang to this song, but it wasn't crazy different than the original, like L.A. just bitched about. Britney said he is a true cowboy and a slice of America. Demi said she thinks he has what it takes. Simon said it feels like he has arrived back in this competition. L.A. said he hopes America votes for him and he did really good.

Lyric 145 (Groups) - "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" from Mary Poppins
They picked a song that will shock everyone and Simon thinks there is a place in the market for them. I love this group and think they are so different and fun. This was so entertaining and I am so impressed. They have fun on stage and I am a fan. L.A. said he hated it, but it was really good and it was inventive and it isn't his cup of tea, but it was perfect. Britney said it was very entertaining. Demi said they got her pumped and they nailed it. Simon said it was a brave choice of song and they were bloody fantastic.

Diamond White (Teens) - "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston
They sent her home and now brought her back. Will she use it to her advantage? Whitney is a mountain to take on and Diamond did a good job with that mountain. She has a strong voice and would still be here had she sung this last week. L.A. said it was an ambitious song choice and she brought it home. Demi said that tugged at her heart. Simon said this proves that dreams can come true. Britney said she channeled Whitney for that performance and she would be proud.

CeCe Frey (Young Adults) - "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor
She brought back those tattoos on her face and I am over it. I feel this is a terrible song choice for her and it shows off no vocals. She has a great voice, but this was blah and boring...come on Demi. L.A. said the ending was strong, but it didn't blow me away. Britney said she was a rebel out there and she brought fire. Simon said this song choice was horrible and no imagination and she should be choosing her own songs. Demi said she is proud and will help her in whatever path she wants to go.

Carly Rose Sonenclar (Teens) - "It Will Rain" by Bruno Mars
It was all about putting Carly Rose on the stage and just letting her sing. No theatrics and no production and she shined. She has a great voice and she was excellent on this song. So raw and so great. L.A. said it was heartfelt and honest and he loved it. Demi said it is night and day from last week. Simon said she would have a hit with a song like that and she has real guts. Britney said she should have closed the show because no one can follow that.

Jason Brock (Over 25s) - "I Believe I Can Fly" by R Kelly
No dancers for him tonight and it is just him and a mic tonight and he does a great job. He does have a very good voice and it was flying high tonight. Not to be boring, they of course had to bring in the choir at the end. Britney said it is an improvement over last week, but is feels like a Vegas lounge act. Demi agrees and L.A. isn't guiding him the way he needs to be. Simon said he likes him, but he doesn't think he can fly. L.A. said it is up to America and he did an excellent job.

Fifth Harmony (Groups) - "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri
I am over this group because their name changes every week, so let's hope they go home and we don't have to deal with it any more. I hated the beginning and then they got better as it went on. It just doesn't feel like a group to me. L.A. said he was impressed with their singing and they nailed it. Britney said they shined the whole way. Demi said she wasn't crazy about the arrangement, but loved their vocals. Simon said he thinks there is something special about their potential.

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

(Image courtesy of FOX)

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