Only six remain in the running for that huge $5 million contract. Who will be this season’s Melanie Amaro? Hopefully none of them, because I’m sure they want to sell downloads. ZING. Speaking of which, the Season 1 singer will be performing on the results show to drop her new single, “Long Distance“.

For the first time this season, the X Factor contestants were required to perform two tracks. The first being an unplugged one and the second chosen by the public via the Pepsi Challenge. From song choice to stage production to outfits, X Factor fans had a say. Surprisingly, all performed solidly tonight. No real trainwrecks.

The night proved so successful, Simon announced that next week was going to be another week where viewers picked the songs. Truth be told, even the judges admitted the public did better with song selections than themselves. Check out this week’s performances below and see if you agree Cowell’s thoughts.

check out this week’s performances after the jump

Tonight’s X Factor results recap is going to be extremely short. I have an event to go to tonight and have to leave the second the show is over. Trying to primp and get dressed in between commercials is kinda hilarious. This is ONE time I’m thankful for the show’s overabundance of ads.

On deck tonight for guest performances were X Factor Season 1 runner-up Josh Krajcik and R&B superstar Alicia Keys. That woman is scorching hot. Fittingly enough, she sang her catchy “Girl on Fire“. She tore it down during her performance. It was so effortless yet powerful. The more I listen to the track, the more I LOVE it. I enjoy belting out the chorus no matter how tone deaf I am. Krajcik on his part sang “One Thing She’ll Never Know” off his new EP. I forgot how rich and strong his voice is. Vino Alan wishes he could sing this well. Now on to the results.

find out the results after the jump

Let me preface this by saying I wasn’t drinking or smoking anything while watching The X Factor this week. Some of our regular readers know I’ve been hard on the contestants and on production. But dare I say it… I actually really enjoyed this week’s performances. For the most part, they were entertaining to watch. Unlike last week’s Thanksgiving show, tonight wasn’t filled with all ballads.

Even more shocking, one contestant whom I’ve been hard on, won me over with a spectacular performance. Who knew she had it in her? Find out who below. On a side note, props to Britney Spears’ team this week. Brit looked gorgeous tonight. She definitely stepped up her game to debut her new music video with will.i.am.

check out this week’s performances after the jump

The sporting gods certainly don’t love Simon Cowell, do they? First, the World Series preempted The X Factor a couple of times, and now the NFL pushed tonight’s results show by almost twenty minutes. Side note. I wonder what genius over at FOX decided it was a great idea to hold a LIVE results show while families across the land were having Thanksgiving dinner? Is it me or does it seem like FOX has given up on the show?

Before I get to the results, can we chat briefly about the hosts? Khloe Kardashian has certainly received a lot of negative criticism, but how do we feel about Mario Lopez? While Kardashian mispronounced Cher Lloyd’s name last night to Cheryl Lloyd, Lopez called Carly Rose, Carly Rose “Sonenblerg” on tonight’s show. And he does hosting for a living. With four weeks in, I pose this question to you. Are Khloe and Mario better than Steve Jones or are you missing the British host? Be sure to leave your comments below.

Before the results, the Top 10 performed “Fix You” by Coldplay with a choir from Bancroft Middle School. X Factor teamed up with Best Buy to give the inner Los Angeles school a technology makeover. Later in the show UK X Factor alum Cheryl Lloyd performed “Oath” with Becky G. I have to say, Lloyd is so much better with her live performances then her time competing on the show. On to the results…

check out the performances and find out this week’s rankings below

With families across the land celebrating Thanksgiving Day, it was only appropriate for the X Factor’s Top 10 to get sentimental. Each act dedicated their performance to the person they were most thankful for. How hilarious would’ve it been if one of them had picked Simon Cowell? Major suck up points.

You know what I’m thankful for? The fact we weren’t subjected to Kim Kardashian until tonight. That woman gives me major gas. Middle sis was in the audience to support Khloe, along with her BF Kanye West, half-sisters Kendall and Kylie and her two moms Kris and Bruce Jenner ;)

Given the sentimental nature of the show, all the remaining acts chose slow-tempo songs. Each performance was preceded by a video package explaining who the song was dedicated to and why. Naturally, there was a little side competition to see who had the most touching backstory. I just hope voters aren’t completely basing their votes on who made them cry. That said, I couldn’t help but be moved during a couple of the sob stories- most notably Paige Thomas and CeCe Frey. Check out all the performances below, along with my predictions on who I think is heading home.

check out this week’s performances after the jump

“I’m gay and I’ve never been happier!”

Amen, sister. Every boy band has one and now Union J has theirs and Jaymi Hensley (far right) is his name. The 22-year-old came out to his family and friends when he was 14. With the encouragement of his X Factor mentor Louis Walsh, Hemsley decided it was time to make it public. He also cites a tweet from a young fan as inspiration for his public coming out.

“I got a tweet from a boy who must have been 13 or 14 asking if the rumours that I was gay were true. He said he really wished I could be out because he didn’t have anyone to look up to and was finding it really hard to fit in and tell his parents. I was that kid at 14 and really wish I had someone to say it was OK to be pictured on the red carpet with a guy and be gay in a boyband.” – Jaymi Hemsley

He’s talking to you there Lance Bass. LOL. For those interested in Hemsley, sadly, he’s taken. The Union J member has been dating a 21-year-old hairdresser for three years and they plan to marry and have kids in the future. Awwwww, sweet.

Here’s hoping his coming out doesn’t effect Union J’s chances in the competition. They’re one of my favorite acts left competing on the show. I’m so happy he’s the ONE that came out too. Admittedly, I have a little teeny tiny crush on. For once, we get the super cute one playing for our team ;)

For those who aren’t watching the UK’s X Factor Series 9, Jaymi (how gay is that name? LOL) entered the competition with two other guys JJ Jamblett and Josh Cuthbert. Collectively, they were called Triple J. When they were eliminated and brought back at a later date, 19-year-old George Shelley joined them forming Union J.

As much as I love One Direction, I have to say Union J’s performances on X Factor are better than 1D’s were a couple of years ago. Click here to check out One Direction during the competition. That said, I’m curious to know what Louis Walsh can/will do with them after the show is over? Can the world handle another British boy band? Check out Union J’s X Factor performances below.

watch their performances on the show so far

It’s double elimination time on The X Factor and I’m beyond ecstatic. Definitely time to kick this competition into overdrive and cut some of the fat… like a lot of it. If Simon Cowell wants to cut two acts for the next several weeks, I’m 100% on board. Before we get to the results, I just wanted to remind everyone that next week’s show are on Tuesday/Wednesday due to Thanksgiving. Don’t forget to program your digital recording devices.

On deck for tonight’s special guest performance is Taylor Swift. The pop country superstar belted out “State of Grace” from her platinum-selling album Red. Even with the musical superstars, the production can’t seem to get the sound right. Was it me or did the background music drown out Swift’s vocals at certain times? Speaking of production, poor Khloe really needs to pick it up. I’m a fan, but she’s really not doing anything to win over haters with her sometimes awkward delivery.

check out the performances and find out this week’s rankings below

Between you and me, I don’t know why I’m still watching The X Factor, let alone recapping it. When you compare the talent to The Voice, the FOX reality show is a joke. Even the worst of the remaining singers on the NBC show would kick most of the asses vying for Simon Cowell’s $5 million prize. That said, this week collectively was better than last week, but that’s not saying much.

While the X Factor Top 12 may be talented, they’re certainly not aided by the shoddy sound system. For some reason the producers just can’t find a balance between the singers’ mics and background music. At least to me, it sounds off. Also, is there a way to drown out the crowd cheers during the performances? For some reason, on the X Factor, the crowd annoys me unlike any other singing competition. I swear if Fifth Harmony wasn’t in the competition, I think I might have to break up with the show. Here’s hoping the girl group makes it far. Check out this week’s performances below. PS. It was Diva week. Scary, right?

watch the performances after the jump