The X Factor sent home two more hopefuls on Thursday and showcased a killer performance from its most successful act to date, One Direction.
Simon Cowell was still salty about the girls tough talk on Wednesday night and he was adamant that none of his groups would be going home. Paulina Rubio seemed a little on edge after the boys failed to impress and Kelly Rowland and Demi Lovato anxiously awaited the results of America's vote.
Khaya Cohenwas the first contestant to be sent home and the judges were shocked when Mario Lopez read her name. The ever-composed teenager took the news in stride and didn't shed any tears onstage. Her mentor, Lovato, was disappointed by the decision and told the teen she had "one of the best voices I've ever heard."
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One Direction returned to the stage that made them famous when they performed their latest hit, "Story Of My Life" to a pumped up crowd.
Next, it was time to make the final cut and it came down to Carlito Olivero and Tim Olstad in the bottom two. Neither of these were much of a surprise considering they have each received tough criticism from the judges in past weeks.
Olstad reminded the crowd that he has "put up with a lot" in recent weeks and Olivero noted that he "came from nothing, came from dirt" before they sang their final songs.
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Olstad chose Josh Groban's "You Lift me Up," but there was nothing uplifting about it. Olivero picked "Beneath Your Beautiful" by Labrinth and he made sure to turn on the charm one more time in a final attempt to win over the mostly female panel.
His lip-licking antics paid off in the end and Olstad got ousted by all three of the female judges, although Rubio struggled with her decision for a few moments before giving him the boot. Cowell didn't even have to render his vote but he admitted after the show that he was in agreement with the ladies on this one.
Now that the show is down to it's Top 9 contestants, who will prove victorious in next week's Big Band challenge?
