Author: Cortney Wills

Michael Becker / FOX

Simon Cowell with Alex & Sierra

The X Factor U.S. wraps its third season this week. The final three standing: duo Alex & Sierra, mentored by show creator and head judge Simon Cowell, Jeff Gutt , the last member of Kelly Rowland‘s team, and Carlito Olivero, coached by Paulina Rubio.

But no matter who wins on Thursday night, a bigger unknown still lingers: will the singing competition be back?

Although there has yet to be any official word, Cowell is certain in the show’s future, telling reporters on a Monday conference call, “I think the show will be coming back next year. As to my role on it, I might have a different kind of role, we haven’t discussed that yet.”

Despite the tanking ratings, Cowell said he’s proud of season three. “I think the show started off OK; I thought the four-chair challenge was terrific and the early live shows were OK and the last two weeks have been amazing,” he said.

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“As a series, particularly because of the talent, because of what Alex & Sierra have achieved on iTunes over the last couple of weeks is phenomenal.  I’m really happy that the show has achieved what it sets out to achieve which is to find a star.”

Cowell didn’t comment much further on his secret plans for re-shaping the show, but he did admit he probably wouldn’t keep the same judging panel. Currently consisting of Rubio, Demi Lovato and Rowland, he’s ready for some shake-ups that could also include a format change.

“I think that we’re gonna have a very crowded marketplace,” he explained. What we have with X Factor is a huge core fan base that loves the show but we have got to be more than that. We’re in the middle of a conversation about this is what we think the show should look like,  what the fans would like, so my role may change but I can’t say any more than that.”

He’s also considering switching to a one-night only format instead of the Wednesday/Thursday live shows we have seen so far. Said Cowell: “I won’t say which night but I think its a better night for us and if we get it, that would be amazing. The thing about these shows over the years is they started off as one-hour shows and now it’s two hours or two and a half hours and then an hour show the next day. That’s like watching a movie. It’s getting to be probably too much. When the shows are popular, the networks want to make them longer and that’s not necessarily a good thing.”

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Cowell isn’t too discouraged by the fact that his show is trailing behind NBC competitor, The Voice, in the ratings.

“Of course we’re not happy about it, but we’re all big boys and when you run a record label and a TV company, sometimes you win and sometimes you’re in second or third place,” he said. “The great thing about our team is it never gets us down and everybody works that much harder.”

Cowell is sure his team will take home the win on this week’s finale. “When Alex & Sierra auditioned for the show, I thought they would win because of all the shows this year, in my opinion, they are by far the best artists to come through,” he said. “I want the show to end with the best act winning the show.”

Asked if he would continue to work with the lovebirds, Cowell affirmed his commitment: “I would be an idiot not to.”

Twitter: @thelivefeed

Jeff Lipsky / FOX

Alex and Sierra

Thursday night’s The X Factor results show was full of anticipation as the singing competition narrowed the final four contenders to the top 3 finals round. 

All four judges were dressed up for the special evening and seemed in good spirits before host Mario Lopez started reading the results. 

The finalists opened the show with a subdued performance of Kelly Clarkson‘s “Stronger” 

Demi Lovato was hesitant to give her bets since she didn’t have any team members left in the game. Simon Cowell said he was confident and nervous about his mentees’ prospects of staying around for the final week of the sing off. 

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The first act that was sent to the safe zone was Carlito Olivero and his mentor, Paulina Rubio thanked the viewers for supporting her protege.

The Latin lover took the stage to belt out “Suavemente” after banking the crowd for making his dream come true and shouted “Latinos forever” into the mic. 

Enrique Iglesias heated things up when he performed his latest hit, “Heart Attack” before it was time to find out who else would make it to the last battle of the season.  

Alex & Sierra are the next act to make it to the finals and the couple thanked fans for voting them in before they belted out a beautiful version of “Let Her Go” for the adoring audience. 

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Now down to rocker Jeff Gutt and country trio Restless Road, Lopez cut right to the chase when he announced Gutt was going to the finals. 

Members of the cast off group dropped their heads as soon as they heard the news and Cowell said he was “really disappointed” and assured them this wouldn’t be the end of their road to superstardom. 

Gutt’s mentor, Kelly Rowland, took the stage alongside her student and shouted “America rocks!” into the mic before he killed his take on “Open Arms.”

Now that the finalists have been revealed America has one more chance to choose between an adorable couple, a sexy single father and a charming underdog when they pick  a winner in next week’s finals round. 

Jeff Lipsky / FOX

Couple and singing duo Alex & Sierra have made a name for themselves as one of the final four contenders on season three of X Factor, proving a clear connection with the viewing audience, despite floundering ratings. 

Indeed, it’s the two’s endearing love story and spot-on vocals that have delivered some of the show’s strongest moments. Last week, their rendition of “Say Something” surpassed Christina Aguilera and A Great Big World’s current radio hit by creeping up to No. 1 on the iTunes chart the morning after they sang it onstage. And as of Dec. 12, their cover of Sara Bareilles’ “Gravity” had climbed to No. 2.

Series creator and head judge Simon Cowell says Alex & Sierra’s success is proof that the show is still capable of turning small-town kids into bankable stars. 

PHOTOS: ‘X Factor’ Season 3 Premiere Hits Hollywood

“It’s incredible,” he told reporters following Wednesday’s final four bow. “I’ve always said this about these shows — it’s not about winning a silly trophy, it’s about launching an artist. It’s about a career outside of it and that’s what I’m most proud of. It does launch proper artists. We have to trust our A&R abilities. That this show can find better artists that anyone else. That’s the future of the show.” 

While few can remember the actual winners of the U.S. version of the show, it has churned out a few still building acts in its four season run. Season two’s Emblem 3 and Fifth Harmony are gaining momentum, with the latter slated to open for judge Demi Lovato on her next tour. But both pale in comparison to X Factor UK grads One Direction who may end up one of the biggest success stories of the decade.

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That’s not to say that Alex & Sierra don’t have competition. In fact, the bar was raised again on Wednesday night when finalist Jeff Gutt floored the panel and the country with a take on Leonard Cohen‘s “Hallelujah.” His version of the song soared to the top spot on iTunes before the show stopped taping and solidified his place as a potential moneymaking artist as well. 

But despite Gutt’s strong showing, the judges still think Alex & Sierra will take home the win this season and Cowell compared their shining moments to some of the biggest stars the show has ever produced. 

“You always have a moment … [with] certain contestants, I can remember having it with One Direction and Leona Lewis,” he recalled. “There’s one song where you go, ‘I can see this working.'”

Lovato agrees that the couple could be the last ones standing. “I think Alex & Sierra are going to take it,” she said. “They are so talented, it’s insane. Even if they don’t win, they are going to succeed.”