The Tribune

By LESH

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

The top 8 was quickly transformed to the top 6 last week on X Factor USA. In just a matter of weeks, a lucky contestant will be named the next X factor USA winner. Unfortunately, another two contestants lost the chance to bask in that glory as they were sent packing.

The elimination episode began with a recap of the previous night’s performances, where the contestants sang under the “Number One Hits” theme.

Surprisingly, the weak performances of contestants CeCe Frey and Emblem3 did not land them with the lowest votes.

It was actually X Factor favourite Paige Thomas who received the lowest number of viewer votes. As soon as her name was called, members of the audience expressed their disagreement by shouting loudly, “no” and “boo”.

Judges L A Reid, Simon Cowell, Britney Spears and Paige’s mentor Demi Lovato all displayed sad expressions on their faces when this news was revealed. With Paige being eliminated, Demi is left with just one act in her “young adults” category, and that is CeCe Frey.

When asked how she felt, Paige shared: “I’m excited because now I get to go home and really do some work and show everyone I’ve got bigger things to do and better things.”

The five contestants who progressed to the next round were: Carly Rose Sonenclar, Fifth Harmony, CeCe Frey, Tate Stevens and Emblem3. That left contestants Diamond White and Vino Alan to sing for survival.

Viewers took to their Twitter and Facebook pages to express their disappointment over the night’s eliminations.

One viewer said: “First of all, Paige is gone and I still cannot believe this. Any blind person could have seen that she redeemed herself last night and this is what she gets in return. I hope she goes on to be the next Rihanna or somewhere close to it because she deserve it. CeCe needed to be sent home.”

Another viewer said: “What!

Vino and Diamond are going to sing for survival? What kind of foolishness is this here. You have contestants like CeCe and Fifth Harmony who received horrible judges comments last night, but they are not in the bottom? I can’t believe this. I think this is my last time watching this show.”

Vino was first up to hit the stage singing Ray LaMontagne’s “ Trouble”. Diamond performed Beyonce’s “I Was Here”.

Diamond’s mentor Britney Spears voted for her to stay. Vino’s mentor L A Reid voted to keep him in the competition. When it came to the judges that were in the middle, Simon and Demi both voted to send Vino home and keep Diamond.

The Top Rankings:

1. Diamond White

2. CeCe Frey

3. Fifth Harmony

4. Emblem3

5. Tate Stevens

6. Carly Rose Sonencla