'X Factor' S2, Ep17 Results Show Recap: Top 10 Contestants Revealed, Taylor Swift Performs

Hip hop trio Lyric145 were one of two acts cut from X Factor's Top 12

By GLAMOROSI

Season 2, episode 17 of The X Factor is a results show; two acts will be eliminated, and the Top 10 contestants who still have a shot at the prize - a five million dollar recording contract - will be revealed. We will also see a performance by Taylor Swift.

Presenters Mario Lopez and Khloe Kardashian take the stage: Khloe is dressed in black (nice shirt!), Mario is wearing another ensemble from his closetful of charcoal-colored host suits.

Tate Stevens lends CeCe Frey an ear

We watch a video recap of the Top 12 performances, and we get to see how each act reacted to their critiques. Last night we were sad to learn CeCe Frey is the only one who doesn’t have family in L.A. to see her sing (they don’t have the funds to make the trip), so it’s sweet to see Tate Stevens consoling her after a tough night in front of the judge’s panel. Hopefully she'll get another chance to redeem herself.

Then suddenly, one contestant is eliminated: Simon Cowell’s Group, Lyric145. Lovely Lyric the Queen smiles and is upbeat about taking the good with the bad. We are big fans of the trio; we demand a re-count!

Taylor Swift does her latest single “State of Grace” from her new album Red (see the video below), then Khloe asks if she has any advice for X Factor’s contestants. Swift answers, “No matter how tired you are and what kind of bad day you’re having, be nice to people.”

The judges and their acts are brought to the stage: Britney Spears and her Teens are introduced; next up is Demi Lovato and her Young Adults, then L.A. Reid and his Over 25s, and finally Simon and his remaining three Groups. 

The safe contestants who are going straight through to the Top 10 are announced in random order: Arin Ray, Vino Alan, Carly Rose Sonenclar, Diamond White, Tate Stevens, Emblem3, Beatrice Miller, CeCe Frey and Fifth Harmony. The two contestants who will sing for their X Factor survival are Paige Thomas and Jennel Garcia.

Jennel Garcia goes first. She sings Hoobastank's "The Reason" dressed in leather pants and an olive and black shirt. It’s a little pitchy, but we still love her. Then Paige Thomas does Coldplay’s “Paradise” and she is dressed for battle in a silver warrior gown. We don’t want Jennel to go, but Paige’s performance is better.

Who are they sending home? L.A. votes to let Jennel go. Britney says it’s a tough decision, but also picks Jennel. Simon refuses to answer, and although Mario tries to make him, Simon won’t do it, so Mario looks to Demi for her vote. She tries to send it back to Simon, but Mario’s not having it. Demi reluctantly picks Paige, and then Simon makes it three out of four votes to cut Jennel.

This week X Factor is once again letting the acts know exactly where the public votes placed them – the rankings are as follows, with only one third of one percent separating first and second place:

1. Tate Stevens
2. Carly Rose Sonenclar
3. Vino Alan
4. Emblem3
5. CeCe Frey
6. Fifth Harmony
7. Diamond White
8. Beatrice Miller
9. Arin Ray
10. Paige Thomas

The X Factor airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8/7c on FOX.

To read more of our X Factor coverage click here.

Photos and Video ©Talkback Thames, FremantleMedia, SYCOtv

Posted on Friday, November 16, 2012 9:45 AM