After the a long night of performances on Tuesday (October 25), the four “The X-Factor” judges/mentors, Simon Cowell (girls), L.A. Reid (boys), Paula Abdul (groups) and Nicole Scherzinger (over 30’s), finally picked the final Top 12 contestants/acts (3 for each mentor).
The X-Factor Top 17: Contestants/Acts, Teams & Mentors (Bios, PHOTOS)
Each of the judges’ contestants/acts performed live for the first time, before the mentor decided who to send home as the weakest link of their team. Simon Cowell had an even tougher job since he exceptionally mentored 5 contestants (girls), and was forced to eliminate two.
Next week, the Top 12 will be subjected to the public vote in a live performances show full of surprises on Wednesday (November 2). Check out the Top 12 bios, pictures and videos below.
The X-Factor Top 12 Contestants Bios + Pictures Below
The X-Factor Top 12 (Top 3 Boys):
Astro
Age: 15
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Currently Resides: Brooklyn, NY
Team: L.A.
Rapper Brian Bradley “Stop Looking At My Mom” On X Factor (VIDEO)
“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
Chris Rene
Age: 28
Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA
Currently Resides: Santa Cruz, CA
Team: L.A.
Chris Rene’s Original Song “Young Homey” On X Factor (VIDEO)
“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
Marcus Canty
Age: 20
Hometown: Bowie, MD
Currently Resides: Bowie, MD
Team: L.A.
Marcus Canty, New Bobby Brown Sings “I Wish” On X Factor (VIDEO)
“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
The X-Factor Top 12 (Top 3 Over 30′s):
LeRoy Bell
Age: 60
Hometown: Tacoma, WA
Currently Resides: Edmonds, WA/Seattle, WA
Team: Nicole
Leroy Bell Sings “Lean On Me” On X Factor (VIDEO)
“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
Team: Nicole
Stacy Francis Performs “Natural Woman” On X Factor (VIDEO)
“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
Josh Krajcik
Age: 30
Hometown: Wooster, OH
Currently Resides: Columbus, OH
Team: Nicole
Josh Krajcik Sings “At Last” On X Factor (VIDEO)
“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 X-Factor Top 12 (Top 3 Girls):
Rachel Crow
Age: 13
Hometown: Longmont, CO/Mead, CO
Currently Resides: Burbank, CA
Team: Simon
Rachel Crow’s Sassy “Mercy” X Factor Audition (VIDEO)
“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
Team: Simon
Belieber Drew Ryniewicz Sings “Baby” On X Factor (VIDEO)
“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
Melanie Amaro
Age: 19
Hometown: Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Currently Resides: Coral Springs, FL/Sunrise, FL
Team: Simon
Melanie Amaro “Listen” X Factor Audition (VIDEO)
“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
The X-Factor Top 12 (Top 3 Groups):
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
Team: Paula
“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
InTENsity
Nick Dean | Age: 15 | Hometown: Rochester, NY
Francesca Duncan | Age: 17 | Resides: Brockport, 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 | Resides:DeSoto, 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
Team: Paula
InTENsity “Footloose” On X Factor (VIDEO)
“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
Team: Paula
Lakoda Rayne “Come On Eileen” On X Factor (VIDEO)
“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
[images: Aldo Rossi / FOX]
