The X Factor revealed its Top 24 acts during Wednesday night's Fox broadcast of the reality singing competition's second season.
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The X Factor broadcast picked up where last Thursday night's episode had left off with the completion of the show's Boot Camp phase and The X Factor judges Simon Cowell, LA Reid, Britney Spears, and Demi Lovato narrowing their Top 60 acts down to 24 -- ultimately determining which artists should either advance to the Judges' Homes final round of auditions or get sent home.
Prior to the 60 acts learning whether they had made the cut, the judges deliberated and decided who would be the show's Top 24 acts -- six of which would be placed in each of the new "Teens" (16 and under), "Young Adults" (17-24), "Over 25s" (25 and up), and "Groups" categories.
However after revealing the competition's six acts for the "Teens," "Young Adults" and "Over 25s" categories, the judges only selected three group acts and decided to form three additional groups comprised of 13 contestants who had failed to make the cut in the "Teens" and "Young Adults," "Groups" categories.
"We've got you back [to the stage] because you are the ones out of all the people we've had to say 'no' to, we've genuinely, genuinely cared about. You all, as you are [in new groups], invited to the Judges' Homes audition," Cowell told the three new "Groups" acts.
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Once the 24 acts were determined, The X Factor's producers decided which judge would mentor each of the four categories of contestants and then phoned each judge with the news.
"Are you serious?! Oh my God! That is amazing. To be able to work with [the teens] like that on such a close basis is really going to be fun. I'm excited!" Spears told a producer once she learned the news of her category placement.
Spears had hoped she would receive the "Teens" category because it featured so much talent, so she was more than pleased.
"Um, I've been given the 'Groups.' It's not the easiest category. Doesn't matter. I'm happy for them," an indifferent Cowell explained upon receiving his category.
"No way! Are you serious?! Oh my God! I'm so excited right now. I definitely got the best group. I'm so stoked. I'm 20 and I'm right in the middle of that age group. I know how to work with them. I have the winning team," Lovato said with a big smile after getting her phone call.
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But Reid had a more dramatic reaction than his fellow judges. He was clearly disappointed and frustrated to have been given the "Over 25s."
"The what?!" Reid asked the producers before hanging up the phone and banging it. "Everybody's gotta leave. I don't want to talk to ya'll. Everything else I would've been happy with."
After each judge was assigned one category of hopefuls, last night's broadcast concluded with the acts performing for their given mentor and mentor's assistant at one of the four judges' homes. Cowell was joined by Latin singer Marc Anthony, Lovato was working alongside singer Nick Jonas, Reid was accompanied by pop star Justin Bieber, and Spears' coaching assistant was Will.I.Am.
Tonight's 8PM ET/PT The X Factor broadcast will continue on with those performances at the judges' homes, which will serve as each act's final audition. The judges will then make their final category selections next Wednesday, October 17 at 8PM ET/PT in which four of their six acts will advance to the live shows.
The X Factor's first second-season live performance show will then air Thursday, November 1 at 8PM ET/PT and be followed by another special live episode airing on Sunday, November 4 in the same time slot on Fox.
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The X Factor's Top 24 Acts are as follows:
The six groups who will be mentored by Simon Cowell are:
- Dope Crisis
- Eli Brown, a 30-year-old from Philadelphia, PA
- Jesse Stearn, a 26-year-old from Philadelphia, PA
- Emblem3
- Drew Chadwick, a 20-year-old from Huntington Beach, CA
- Keaton Stromberg, a 16-year-old from Huntington Beach, CA
- Wesley Stromberg, an 18-year-old from Huntington Beach, CA
- LYLAS
- 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
- Lauren Jauregui, a 16-year-old from Court Pearland, TX
- Lyric 145 (One4Five & Lyric Da Queen)
- Julien Joseph, a 19-year-old from Bay Shore, NY
- Jemelle Joseph, a 23-year-old from Bay Shore, NY
- Lyric-Bianca Barnes, a 23-year-old from Atlanta, GA
- Playback
- Austin Corini, a 17-year-old from Gilroy, CA
- Brandon Hassan, a 16-year-old from Irving, TX
- Johnny Maxwell, a 16-year-old from Castro Valley, CA
- Josh Metzler, a 16-year-old from Gilbert, AZ
- Owen Stuart, a 17-year-old from Charlotte, NC
- Sister C
- Carli Rayne Manchaca, a 21-year-old from Cove, TX
- Celbi Manchaca, a 19-year-old from Cove, TX
- Cirby Ryan Manchaca, an 18-year-old from Cove, TX
The six young adults who will be mentored by Demi Lovato are:
- Cece Frey, a 21-year-old from Decatur, IL
- Jennel Garcia, an 18-year-old from Rochester, MA
- Jillian Jensen, a 20-year-old from Rochester, MA
- Willie Jones, an 18-year-old from Shreveport, LA
- Paige Thomas, a 22-year-old from San Antonio, TX
- Nick Youngerman, a 21-year-old from Tipp City, OH
The six over 25s who will be mentored by LA Reid are:
- Vino Alan, a 40-year-old from Laquey, MO
- Daryl Black, a 38-year-old from Elk Grove, CA
- Jason Brock, a 35-year-old from San Francisco, CA
- David Correy, a 27-year-old from Riva, MD
- Tara Simon, a 28-year-old from Smyrna, GA
- Tate Stevens, a 37-year-old from Raymore, MO
The six teens who will be mentored by Britney Spears are:
- Reed Deming, a 13-year-old from San Antonio, TX
- Beatrice Miller, a 13-year-old from Maplewood, NJ
- Arin Ray, a 17-year-old from Cincinnati, OH
- Carly Rose Sonenclar, a 13-year-old from Mamaroneck, NY
- James Tanner, a 15-year-old from Columbus, OH
- Diamond White, a 13-year-old from Los Angeles, CA
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski