BWW Recap - Final Night of Auditions for FOX's THE X FACTOR

The X Factor is back! Last night the contestants were finally performing live, and each mentor chose the top 3 from their category. Which four are going home? Read on...

The first category up is the girls, mentored by Demi Lovato and her gorgeous blue hair!

Ellona Santiago sings the sexy Britney Spears song Til the World Ends, complete with full choreography. Her vocals were good, but the song choice didn't impress me. I think the production value was worth it for the judges though, and this is what they really look for on The X Factor. Kelly called it "magical" and "impressive" because she was moving and singing at the same time for her first live show, and Demi was proud of her for Being a "true diva."

Danie Geimer sings Miley Cyrus's Wrecking Ball, and I'm not impressed. It's probably because I hate this song, but even for Danie, it's not a moving vocal. Simon calls her "boring," and I agree.

Rion Paige sings her girl Demi's hit, Skyscraper. Thus far, I have thought Rion gets more praise from the judges than her performances merit, but this time I'm truly impressed. It's a perfect rendition, and I'm a huge Demi fan. Good choice. Simon agrees with me, calling it a "seriously, seriously good" decision.

Khaya Cohen sings Duffy's Mercy. The girl has soul! I feel like she didn't have enough control of the performance, and she was often overshadowed by the lights and backup singers to me, but I like the funky quality in her voice. Kelly noticed that she looked "a little bit uncomfortable" at times, and I agree.

Demi keeps Ellon, Rion, and Khaya in her top 3. Danie's going home. Time for the boys with Paulina!

Josh Levi sings Rihanna's Only Girl in the World but his choreography definitely overpowers his vocal ability and it's entirely distracting. Simon tells him that if he wants to continue in this business, he has to learn to sing and dance at the same time.

Carlos Guevera sings an emotional version of Swedish House Mafia's Don't You Worry Child. It's super boring and a little whiny.

Carlito Oliver sings Santana's Maria Maria and he brings the flavor. I wish his voice was more on point, but this is the X Factor, and I understand that the contestants usually end up more focused on showing how professional-looking they can make their live performances. Simon tells Carlito that of everyone he's seen that night, Carlito is the one who he'd sign to his record label.

Tim Olstad sings a really cheesy version of Bon Jovi's Always, but personally I'm glad to see someone determined to impress with their vocals rather than with backup dancers. It feels long and slow and Demi agrees, saying it feels like "the energy went down" with this one.

Paulina keeps Tim, Carlos, and Carlito in her top 3. Bye, Josh. It's time for Kelly's over 25s group!

Kelly takes her group to gym and asks them to sing while jogging, like she used to with Destiny's Child! I love that, because I've always appreciated DC3's ability to kill a vocal while they're doing intense choregraphy. The required lung capacity is unreal. I just love Kelly as a mentor so much.

Lillie McCloud sings the classic Percy Sledge number, When a Man Loves a Woman. I think the over 25s is my favorite character, if only for this woman. This is what I've been waiting for the whole episode! I don't care how well you can dance, or how good you look under these live show lights - you can't beat the magic of a powerful voice. Paulina calls her a "goddess." Simon dares to tell her to tone down the "theatrics" and that she needs to lose the "Broadway" part of her performance if she wants to have contemporary appeal. This makes sense, because Simon is primarily concerned with selling production value to the masses. I strongly disagree, and so do Demi and Kelly. Kelly tells her she's "the best vocalist here," and I have to agree. To me, that's all that matters.

Jeff Gutt sings a rock and roll version of Kelly Clarkson's Try, and Simon thinks it's "bloody brilliant." Kelly praises him for maintaining his breathing, and I really like how on top of her mentees Kelly is. She's a real coach.

Rachel Potter sings LeAnn Rimes's I Hope You Dance, one of my favorite songs. It's a brilliant performance, and over 25s is officially definitely my favorite category. For Lillie and for this girl. Her voice is stunning!

James Kenney sings Daniel Merriweather's Red, and it's great. I like his voice. The judges love it, and Kelly doesn't know who she'll send home.

Kelly ends up keeping Rachel, Lillie, and Jeff in her top 3. It's too bad, James has a good voice. And now time for Simon and his groups.

RoxXy Montana messes around with Lorde's hit Royals. The Arrangement could be interesting, but they're so pitchy, and considering everyone in America has tried that building harmony in the chorus, it's a miss. Kelly agrees that the harmony "could have been tighter," but she likes how they've grown in the competition.

Sweet Suspense does an energetic arrangement of Icona Pop's I Don't Care. Definitely entertaining. Demi says they're "absolute stars" and Simon says it was "magic."

Alex and Sierra go with a sweet version of Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines. Alex is on guitar, and this couple is sickeningly sweet together as ever, even while singing such a controversial song. Their vocals are right on, although I wish they made a different choice. Simon things they have "amazing sexual chemistry" and makes a dumb joke about having that in his life as well.

Restless Road sings a weird country version of Katy Perry's Roar (and I'm both a huge fan of country and a huge fan of Roar). It takes really well with the audience, and their vocals and harmonies are definitely solid. Simon says it was a "tricky song choice," but they pulled it off, and I agree.

Simon keeps Sweet Suspense, Alex and Sierra, and Restless Road in his top 3. RoxXy Montana is out.

We'll see the top 12 for the next round of live shows!