Television December 08, 2011
'X Factor' Recap: Two Songs, One Shocking Elimination
The final five "X Factor" contestants -- Melanie Amaro, Josh Kracjik, Chris Rene, Rachel Crow and Marcus Canty -- took the stage on Thursday's highly emotional results show, but only one went home.
That would be 13-year-old Crow. Watch her performance from Wednesday's night!
She and Canty found themselves in the bottom two, and Rachel was eliminated after the four judges deadlocked over the singers' "save-me songs."
Marcus belted out a version of "I'm Going Down" by Mary J. Blige, who performed earlier in the night. Rachel sang "I'd Rather Go Blind" by Etta James.
Simon Cowell voted for his protege Crow, with Paula Abdul concurring, while L.A. Reid sided with his charge Marcus. Scherzinger was the deciding vote, but she said, "I can't make this decision because ... I know how it feels and I love and adore both of you. I have to go to deadlock." Gasp!
Host Steve Jones explained, "That means the judges lose their power and we look back at how you at home voted. The act that got the lowest amount of votes will be leaving the competition."
So, based purely on votes, Rachel was sent home. The young girl dissolved into sobs. Cowell came up on stage to comfort her, as did her mother, who told her it was going to be OK."You promise me?" Rachel cried. "You promise me?"
Crow eventually composed herself and told the audience, "I love you so much, everybody, for voting for me and thank you for giving me this because without you I am nothing. I hope this is not my ending. I know it's not and I will go so far. I promise you!"
Cowell added, "She went out on the highest she could have gone out. We're going to be hearing a lot more from Rachel Crow, I can give you my word on that."
Tune in next week to "The X Factor" to see who gets closer to the $5 million recording contract!