The X Factor determined its Top 12 acts on Thursday night's broadcast of the reality singing competition's second season on Fox.

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The X Factor judges Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid, Britney Spears, and Demi Lovato each selected two members on his or her own four-person team to automatically advance in the competition to the next live show. The remaining two acts in each category were then forced to "sing for survival" one at a time against each other, leaving the mentors to each determine which act should stay and which act should be eliminated.

Lovato opted to have Jennel Garcia, an 18-year-old from Rochester, MA, and Paige Thomas, a 22-year-old from San Antonio, TX, advance on behalf of her "Young Adults" (17-24) category. Her decision required Cece Frey, a 21-year-old from Decatur, IL, and Willie Jones, an 18-year-old from Shreveport, LA, to sing for survival. After both artists performed, Lovato picked Frey to move forward in the competition. 

"It sucks that I have to go home, but it was really fun to be here. If you got a dream, just get it out. Be different; Be Unique. I mean, life's too short to be plain and simple. So, I'm gonna do me 100% percent all day everyday," Jones said following his ouster. "Thanks [Demi] for being my mentor. I learned a lot from you and just thank you."

"I don't want this to stop you because I think you're really on to something. I have so much faith in you. I just think that it's not your time right now. Go back and figure out what you need to do to make sure it's your time, but I believe in you," Lovato told him.

Reid selected Vino Alan, a 40-year-old from Laquey, MO, and Tate Stevens, a 37-year-old from Raymore, MO, as the two acts to represent his "Over 25s" category following Monday night's performance show. He asked Jason Brock, a 35-year-old from San Francisco, CA, and David Correy, a 27-year-old from Riva, MD, to sing solos in attempt to earn the final third spot on his team. In the end, Reid wanted Brock to remain in the competition over Correy.

"They were both very, very good. On one hand, you have what I call 'Mr. Entertainment' in Jason Brock, and you're very good. You're very, very good. And David Correy, I really love what you do, right? You're a star. So it's kind of like, do I go with entertainment? Do I go with a star?... And you know what? It's not an easy decision, but the person I am sending home is -- I'm sorry David Correy, I'm sending you home," Reid said.

"I just want to say that I've been through a lot in my life like we all have, but it's never stopped me. And I promise you, this is not going to be the last time you see my face. Don't ever give up on what you love. I promise you... L.A. Reid, thank you man. I appreciate everything you did for me. Britney, Demi, Simon -- thank you," Correy said after Reid made his announcement.

Spears chose to advance Beatrice Miller, a 13-year-old from Maplewood, NJ, and Carly Rose Sonenclar, a 13-year-old from Mamaroneck, NY, to the next live show out of the four members of her "Teens" (16 and under) category. After she pit Arin Ray, a 17-year-old from Cincinnati, OH, to sing against Diamond White, a 13-year-old from Los Angeles, CA, Spears opted to keep Ray and send White home.

"I don't think either of these two should leave the competition. I genuinely mean that. I think they're both super talented," Cowell noted before Spears made her decision.

"This is going to be like the hardest decision ever. It's really, really hard because Diamond, every time she performs, it just amazes me, at her age, her voice and what she can do with it. And Arin just blew me away today with his charisma, and he's so charming. So this is really hard," Spears explained. "The person I'm going to send home is Diamond."

"I'm happy I made it this far and I'm going to keep smiling. I still love you Britney!" White told her mentor.

Lastly, Cowell automatically put Emblem3 and Lyric 145 through to the next show on behalf of his "Groups" category.

Emblem3 consists of Drew Chadwick, a 20-year-old from Huntington Beach, CA; Keaton Stromberg, a 16-year-old from Huntington Beach, CA; and Wesley Stromberg, an 18-year-old from Huntington Beach, CA.

Lyric 145 consists of former One4Five duo members Julien Joseph, a 19-year-old from Bay Shore, NY, and Jemelle Joseph, a 23-year-old from Bay Shore, NY, as well as rapper Lyric-Bianca Barnes, a 23-year-old from Atlanta, GA who had previously called herself Lyric Da Queen. One4Five and Lyric Da Queen had auditioned separately and were combined into Lyric 145 by the judges at the end of the Boot Camp round.

Cowell's decision left Sister C and 1432 -- formerly known as LYLAS -- to duke it out with their sing for survival songs.

"I could make an argument for both of these groups. I think Sister C, now I've got to know you, I think there is a gap in the market for a group like you. I've really enjoyed working with you and I think there's a lot we could do together in the competition. Girls [1432], I think when you came to my home, you were amazing," Cowell explained.

"We had a bit of a wobble last night. Tonight was much, much better. I've got to really, really like you. But I have to make this decision based on my head, do you understand that? This may not make me popular. Maybe this is going to be a bit of a surprise, I don't know... The act I am going to send home is Sister C."

"I think I saw it coming. It's a no-brainer that [1432] is amazing. So, we're just going to keep going in the country world and let the pop do their pop thing. It's been awesome working with you [Simon], and you have a vision of what you want in this industry," Carli Rayne Manchaca said following her group's ouster.

In addition to Carli, a 21-year-old from Cove, TX, Sister C is also made up of sisters Celbi Manchaca, a 19-year-old from Cove, TX, and Cirby Ryan Manchaca, an 18-year-old from Cove, TX.

Cowell then wanted to talk briefly with 1432 before they exited the stage.

"I have to say one thing. We have made one mistake. I can't live with this name 1432. So I'm going to ask the public through The X Factor website to submit a name, and the public are going to choose your name," Cowell added.

1432 is comprised of members Ally Brooke, a 19-year-old from Santa Ana, CA; Camila Cabello, a 15-year-old from San Antonio, TX; Normani Hamilton, a 16-year-old from Miami, FL; Dinah Jane Hansen, a 15-year-old from Miami, FL; and Lauren Jauregui, a 16-year-old from Court Pearland, TX. The all-girl group was formed by The X Factor's judges at the conclusion of the Boot Camp round when they selected five singers who had failed to make the cut as individuals.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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