The Tribune

By LESH

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

TEN acts waited anxiously to see if they had made it into the final eight of the X Factor USA last Thursday.

Unfortunately for two of those contestants, it was the end of the X Factor road.

The top 10 stood with their mentors to hear their fate.

Judge Paulina Rubio’s “Boys” category included Tim Olstad, Josh Levi and Carlito Olivero.
Kelly Rowland had just two acts left in her “Over 25s” category - Jeff Gutt and Lillie McCloud.

Simon Cowell’s final two groups in the competition were Alex & Sierra and Restless Road.

Demi Lovato’s “Girls” included Khaya Cohen, Rion Paige and Ellona Santiago.

When it all was said and done, X Factor host Mario Lopez revealed that based on America’s votes, the first act to leave the competition was Khaya Cohen.

Standing with her mentor Demi, Khaya said it “sucks” but she is going to keep going for what she was initially going for when entering the competition. She looked at the competition as a fun experience, and thanked everyone for watching.

Shortly after, superstar boy band and UK X Factor sensation, One Direction, took to the stage as guest performers to sing their song “Story of My Life.

X Factor judge, Cowell is well known for putting together the now popular and successful boy band.

Next up, Mario took to the stage to call off the acts that were safe and through to the next round of the competition.

Ellona Santiago, Restless Road, Rion Paige, Josh Levi, Alex & Sierra, Lillie McCloud and Jeff Gutt were all safe.

This left Carlito Olivero and Tim Olstad in the bottom two, and in danger of elimination.

Tim sang Josh Groban’s “You Raise Me Up” and Carlito took on Labrinth’s “Beneath You’re beautiful.”

Kelly, Demi and Paulina voted to send Tim home, giving Carlito another shot at becoming the next X Factor USA winner.

In an interview with the X Factor USA after the show, Tim said: “It’s tough because I think I have been giving it my all every week. It is really cool to look back at my initial audition and look back and see how far I’ve come.”

He said he got a chance to grow on the show and he has met a lot of really cool people.

“This opportunity is amazing. Not many people can say that they have been on the X Factor and made it to the top 10,” he said.

“As sad as I am, I am actually really proud of myself and this show has definitely brought up my confidence a lot. This maybe the end for me on the X Factor but it is not the end of my singing career,” said Tim.

Tonight, the remaining eight contestants will take on the theme “Big Band.” Demi is also set to perform during the Thanksgiving results show tomorrow night.