"THE X FACTOR" Judges Have Spoken! - 17 Acts To Battle It Out Live For A Spot As One Of The "THE X FACTOR" Finalists Tuesday, October 25, On FOX

THE X FACTOR Top Finalists Perform for America's Votes Wednesday, Nov. 2
 
The "Judges' Homes" round of THE X FACTOR came to an exciting and dramatic conclusion tonight when the judges revealed the 17 acts that will continue in the competition. In a surprise announcement, Simon Cowell revealed that he had made a mistake in the eliminations and brought back Melanie Amaro, who now will compete as one of the remaining 17 acts.
 
In a special extended LIVE two-and-a-half hour episode on Tuesday, Oct. 25 (8:00-10:30 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), THE X FACTOR ramps up to an explosive new level as the remaining acts take the stage for their last shot at becoming one of the Top Finalists. The acts are currently training with the top choreographers and vocal producers in the music industry and working with America's leading style teams, in preparation for their most crucial performance yet. Don't miss this explosive episode when the judges must decide who will become one of THE X FACTOR finalists.  
 
On Wednesday, Nov. 2 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), THE X FACTOR enters a new phase of the competition, in which the Top Finalists from all categories compete against each other for the first time. The finalists will perform not only for the praise of Simon, Paula, L.A. and Nicole, but for America's votes as well, when the voting lines open immediately after the show.

THE REMAINING 17 ACTS ARE:
 
The Girls whom Simon Cowell is mentoring:  
 
Melanie Amaro - Age: 19         
Hometown: Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Currently Resides: Coral Springs, FL/Sunrise, FL

"It was really big, as well as shocking, because the many years I've watched Simon, he has never done something like that. I feel very honored that he came to my home to ask me to come back on the show. The whole process is just mind boggling. It's so amazing." - Melanie Amaro
 
Simone Battle - Age: 22
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Currently Resides: Los Angeles, CA

"I am blown away by how much talent there is in the girls' category. At this point, it's not about impressing the judges, it's about impressing the world and everyone who is watching." - Simone Battle

Rachel Crow - Age: 13
Hometown:  Longmont, CO/Mead, CO
Currently Resides: Burbank, CA
 
"This whole experience has been a dream come true and I can't believe I made it this far because I went into the competition with no expectations. I can't believe this is happening to me. I think what I'm really trying to work on is finding out who I am as a singer. I'm trying to find my style and edge." - Rachel Crow


Drew Ryniewicz - Age: 14
Hometown: Chino Valley, AZ
Currently Resides: Chino Valley, AZ

"The girls in my category are nothing but amazing, every single one. From the start I have loved them all.  We are almost like a big family. I mean, we are competing, but we spend so much time with each other and it is nice to be around so many people you can relate to." - Drew Ryniewicz


Tiah Tolliver - Age: 20
Hometown: Chula Vista, CA
Currently Resides: Bremerton, WA
 
"I am extremely happy to have him [Simon Cowell] as my mentor because he fought for me. I feel like he is going to lead me in the right direction and I sincerely believe him when he tells me stuff." - Tiah Tolliver

The Boys whom L.A. Reid is mentoring:
 
Astro - Age: 15
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Currently Resides: Brooklyn, NY

"So far THE X FACTOR experience has been amazing and pretty fun. It definitely makes me feel like a star. Coming here and being the only MC in this competition, I believe in myself and that is going to bring
me through." - Astro

Marcus Canty - Age: 20
Hometown: Bowie, MD
Currently Resides: Bowie, MD

"I think this experience has nurtured me and made me realize that life is too short and to live through the moment. These are once-in-a-lifetime experiences you can't get back. I am going to keep having fun and bringing who I am." - Marcus Canty


Phillip Lomax - Age: 22
Hometown:  Seattle, WA
Currently Resides: Seattle, WA

"THE X FACTOR experience has been incredible. The thing that has resonated the most with me is that it is important to find my own voice and to be true within my music. I don't want to be anyone but me." - Phillip Lomax


Chris Rene - Age: 28
Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA
Currently Resides: Santa Cruz, CA

"The advice I have been getting is to stay original, stay yourself and do my thing and also go out of the box and do things that are difficult. The way I prepare is to stay in the moment, relax and practice as much
as I can. Staying in the here-and-now is what is best for me." - Chris Rene

The Over 30s whom Nicole Scherzinger is mentoring:
 
LeRoy Bell - Age: 60
Hometown: Tacoma, WA
Currently Resides: Edmonds, WA/Seattle, WA

"The experience has been wild and exciting, at the same time a little bit scary...One of the things I've learned is you can teach an old dog new tricks. I can still learn something. The show has taught me that I am more flexible than I thought I was." - LeRoy Bell

Stacy Francis - Age: 42
Hometown:  Brooklyn, NY
Currently Resides: Los Angeles, CA

"Being a part of the show so far has been an emotional rollercoaster.  Every feeling I could feel, I have felt during this journey...I am happy and so excited. The momentum is just incredible.  It's like I'm a 10-year-old and it's Christmas and I'm so excited." - Stacy Francis


Dexter Haygood - Age: 49
Hometown:  Memphis, TN
Currently Resides: Chicago, IL

"It is going to be exciting; I'm gonna set the place on fire, but not literally. There is nothing like THE X FACTOR.  I have never experienced anything like this." - Dexter Haygood


Josh Krajcik - Age: 30
Hometown: Wooster, OH
Currently Resides: Columbus, OH

"THE X FACTOR experience has been really great. It has been a serious challenge and any time you challenge yourself it is a good thing. The experience on THE X FACTOR has given me a lot of insight into who I am and a lot of things that I didn't know." - Josh Krajcik

The Groups that Paula Abdul is mentoring:  

The Brewer Boys
 Justin Brewer  Age: 17  Hometown: Temecula, CA
 Nathan Brewer  Age: 14  Hometown: Temecula, CA

"We never really thought about going this far. It has been pretty shocking. This has been an incredible experience. I've learned a lot about the industry. I love it." - Nathan Brewer

InTENsity
  Nick Dean   Age: 15  Hometown: Rochester, NY
  Francesca Duncan  Age: 17 Hometown: Orange Co., NY  
  John Lindahl  Age: 15  Hometown: Travuco Canyon, CA
  Emily Michalak  Age: 13  Hometown: Pine Brook, NJ
  Austin Percario  Age: 15  Hometown: Warren, NJ
  Arin Ray  Age: 16  Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
  Lauren Ashley Redmond      Age: 17  Hometown: Houston, TX
  Ellona Santiago  Age: 15  Hometown: San Lorenzo, CA
  Ma'at Bingham Shango  Age: 12  Hometown: Houston, TX
  Emily Wilson   Age: 15  Hometown: Warren, NJ
 
"Being in a group is amazing. When you are a solo artist, you only have yourself to rely on. But when you are in a group you have however many other people who have your back. So it is better to be in a group of ten, plus it is more fun and we have more people to hang out with and it's just not as stressful." - John Lindahl

Lakoda Rayne
  Cari Fletcher   Age: 17   Hometown: Wall Township, NJ
  Dani Knights  Age: 22  Hometown: Santa Clarita, CA
  Paige Ogle   Age: 18  Hometown: Baltimore, MD
  Hayley Orrantia   Age: 17  Hometown: Highland Village, TX

"Starting out as four solo artists, it was a shocker that we were going to be in the group category together but it has been an incredible experience. They've taken four strong solo artists and made this super group." - Hayley Orrantia

The Stereo Hogzz
  Kregg Gibson   (aka KG) Age: 25   Hometown: Houston, TX
  Jonathan Glenn  (aka Jon Glenn) Age: 25   Hometown: Houston, TX
  George Jenkins III    (aka Trae Badd) Age: 25  Hometown: Houston, TX
  Leeland Stephenson (aka Trace Kennedy) Age: 24   Hometown: Houston, TX
  Justin Williams   (aka Just'n) Age: 25  Hometown: Houston, TX

"This X FACTOR experience has been something that we have been dreaming of for a long time. You can't ask for more, and they provided this platform for us and we are running with it, taking it all the way." - Trace Kennedy

Visit www.TheXFactorusa.com for up-to-the-minute news, videos and information. Become a fan of THE X FACTOR on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheXFactorUSA and follow the series on Twitter @TheXFactorUSA and join the discussion at #XFactor.
 
THE X FACTOR was created by Syco Television and is produced by Syco Television and FremantleMedia North America. Rob Wade and Siobhan Greene are executive producers for Syco Television. Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Richard Holloway and Andrew Llinares serve as executive producers for FremantleMedia North America.