>> it started with thousands of hopefuls all across america, all dreaming of a life-changing recording contract. [women vocalizing] they faced four judges. >> yes. >> absolutely yes. >> four yeses. >> and the judges became mentor to one category each. only the strongest survived the 4 chair challenge. >> take a seat! >> i'm gonna put you in a seat. >> you're in my final four. >> take a seat. >> on tuesday night, the final 16 perform live for the first time. >> ♪ we will ♪ we will ♪ rock you >> and each mentor had to make

one final cut as they chose their final three acts who will face your votes. the finalists are, for demi lovato and the girls, ellona santiago, rion paige, and khaya cohen. for paulina and the boys, it's carlito olivero, carlos guevara, and tim olstad. for kelly and the over 25s, it's rachel potter, jeff gutt, and lillie mccloud. and for simon and the groups: restless road, alex & sierra, and sweet suspense. and now it's time to meet the final 12. [upbeat techno music] ♪ welcome to a special edition of the x factor. on tuesday night, the final 12 acts were revealed live by the judges, but who are they? tonight, we're gonna meet the final 12. we're gonna learn where they come from. we're gonna see the journey

that they took to get here. first up, the girls category and the three girls mentored by demi lovato. and to kick it off, ellona santiago. >> my name's ellona santiago. i'm 17 years old, and i'm from san lorenzo, california. i was actually born in the philippines, and when i was 11 months old, me and my whole family migrated to the united states to have a better life. when we first moved here, we moved into a relative's garage, and it was-- it was a struggle. growing up, i didn't really see my parents a lot 'cause they were always working double jobs, triple jobs. and now my mom works at a copy center, and my dad works at the post office. he's a mailman. i know my parents have been through a lot, and i just really thank them for always telling me that, if i work hard enough, there's a chance that i can make my dream come true. i mean, they've always supported me since day one. i auditioned the first season.

i was put into a group called intensity, and i was then eliminated with my group during the live shows. >> intensity, i'm gonna have to send you home. >> it really crushed me. it really crushed my heart. it was really hard to get back up, but my parents, they always told me, you know, "you can do it." [wings by little mix playing] ♪ don't let what they say ♪ keep you up at night ♪ and they can't detain you ♪ 'cause wings are made to ♪ my feet ♪ feet can't touch the ground ♪ and i can't hear a sound come on! ♪ if you would just keep on ♪ running up your... >> ellona has a diva inside of her, and her vocal ability is so incredible. we're gonna have so much fun together. it's a yes. [girls screaming] >> i was just so excited. i was just so happy to work with demi. [laughs] she's one of my role models, and she's my inspiration. ♪ if i love ♪ insanity

♪ why are you my remedy? ♪ if i love ♪ insanity ♪ why are you my clarity? i've never been in that kind of pressure in my life. i not only sing. i perform. [cheers and applause] and i'm not gonna let you down. i'll give my 100%. >> ellona, you're in my final four. [cheers and applause] >> i'm here to win, because winning this competition would start a whole new life for me and for my whole family. ♪ see the sunlight ♪ we ain't stoppin' ♪ keep on dancing ♪ till the world ends ♪ if you feel it >> you were a true diva up there. >> you are the first to make it in demi's top three. >> i want to be able to give back to my family for all their support and struggles and to prove that i'm meant to be here. [vocalizing]

>> the second girl in demi's category is rion paige. >> my name is rion paige. i'm 13 years old. i'm from jacksonville, florida, and i'm in eighth grade. >> so tell me something interesting about you. >> um... i have arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. my hands--like, they're curved differently because of my joints, so i have to learn how to do things differently. >> seriously? >> seriously. >> gotta kiss me. >> love you, dad. >> give me some grits. >> mm-hmm, cheesy grits. >> some cheese grits kiss? >> my mom is a waitress, and my dad is a construction worker, so my mom kind of sings, so i guess i kind of got it from her. [laughs] my family is so supportive. my four-year-old brother, colton, he doesn't really know what's going on, but i know he's so excited. [laughs] >> i'm just so impressed. >> i'm very, very, very proud of you. >> thank you. my mom helps me do day-to-day things, little things that everyone who doesn't have a difference in their hands takes for granted.

but i don't want to be known as the girl with the arms. i want to be known as the girl with the voice. ♪ shattered every window ♪ till it's all blown away [cheers and applause] ♪ every brick, every board ♪ every slamming door ♪ blown away >> when i first saw rion, she had a really great energy and light about her that was refreshing. rion, i'm just so impressed right now. everybody in this room can learn something from you today. >> you got four yeses. [women screaming] >> i can't even explain how it felt getting four yeses from the judges. i mean, it was just this emotional rush to the top of your head... like, almost when you eat too much candy, you know? [all screaming and cheering] >> oh, my god! i am so-- i am so proud of you. >> ♪ i will dry your eyes ♪ i will fight your fight ♪ i will hold you tight ♪ and i won't let

♪ go >> you're only 13, and you have such a mature voice. i can't let you go. you're in my final four. >> oh, thank you! thank you! [cheers and applause] >> don't be afraid to channel every struggle that you've been through. >> i've been working so hard with demi, and she's been really cool and a great mentor to me. [vocalizing] i couldn't ask for better advice. ♪ you can take everything ♪ i have ♪ you can break everything ♪ i am ♪ like i'm made of glass >> that was such an emotional performance, and i'm so proud of you. [cheers and applause] >> who is the second girl in your top three? >> rion paige. >> congrats, rion paige. >> even though i have a difference, i just want to be able to prove to america that i can sing and that i have the "x" factor. >> still to come, the final three boys...

>> i knew i had to give the performance of my life. >> over 25s... >> make it hard for your peers. make them shake in their boots. >> i was just trying to hold it together and not cry my eyes out. >> and groups. >> if we get sent home because of me, i'm just gonna be heartbroken. ♪ let's face it. everyone has their own way of doing things. at university of phoenix we know learning is no different. so we offer personalized tools and support, that let our students tackle the challenge of going back to school, like they do anything else... their way. let's get to work. use chase freedom at amazon.com and get 5% cash back this quarter. so you can find the perfect gift for everyone.

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i'm 16 years old and in 11th grade, and i'm from new york city. i've loved music my entire life, and i've sang for as long as i can remember. i live with my mom and dad. my mom is a midwife, and my dad works for new york city's department of education. i have a 20-year-old brother. he doesn't live with us during the year 'cause he's in college. my family help me and support me in everything i do. the first audition that i had was completely overwhelming. i've never performed in front of so many people. ♪ never met a man ♪ quite like you >> okay, that--that song is not working. [crowd booing] >> do you have a second song? >> i started thinking about what i should sing next, and i knew that whatever it was, i had to nail it because it was a second chance. ♪ i put a spell on you

♪ ooh, ooh ♪ because you're mine [cheers and applause] >> when khaya sang i put a spell on you, that's when her talent really started to show. she has something in her that not a lot of people have. >> ♪ lie... getting a standing ovation not only from the entire audience but from the judges, it was just incredible. >> i honestly can't believe that that's coming out of a 15-year-old. >> thank you so much. the 4 chair challenge-- when i was about to start, i was thinking about the video playing behind me, 'cause i hadn't gotten to see it, so i, like, momentarily forgot the first words. i feel like i got, like, a look of horror in my eyes. i remembered them, like, right before i started singing. ♪ ohh ♪ you make me feel like

♪ i've been locked out ♪ of heaven ♪ for too long ♪ for too long >> take a seat. [cheers and applause] >> ♪ ya got me beggin' you ♪ for mercy >> ♪ yeah, yeah, yeah >> ♪ why won't you ♪ release me? >> ♪ yeah, yeah, yeah >> ♪ ya got me beggin' you >> the third and final girl in my top three is... khaya cohen. don't underestimate her, because khaya is one to watch in this competition. >> i never expected that i would be at this point. ♪ me... i feel great that i'm able to stay here and become a star. >> all right, so that's the girls, and now it's time to meet one of the categories they're gonna be competing against: the boys, mentored by paulina rubio. and the first of paulina's boys

is carlito olivero. >> my name is carlito olivero. i'm 24 years old, and i'm from chicago, illinois. i am mexican and puerto rican. currently live in l.a., and i work at a coffee shop. i learned my work ethic from my parents. my mom works in the office for a big corporation, and my father is a construction worker. he's got his own business-- one of the hardest-working men i know. my family is the most important thing to me. i have a little brother. he's nine, and my little sister just graduated high school. growing up, my family didn't really have a lot of money, but music was always with me, ever since i was a kid, and my family has always supported me in everything. hey, guys. >> we miss you! >> miss you too. i promised them that i would take care of them one day. i'm hoping that through this competition, i can actually make that happen. [cheers and applause] ♪ not really sure ♪ how to feel about it ♪ something in the way ♪ you move ♪ makes me feel like

♪ i can't live without you ♪ it takes me all the way >> the first time that i saw carlito, i knew he was something really, really special. he had a presence onstage and that voice... oh, my god. that voice. >> i just saw you from the side profile there when you were singing, and i looked at you, and i thought, "this kid looks like a real star." >> thank you so much. thank you. >> carlitos, i adore you. it's a yes. [cheers and applause] >> ♪ 'cause i'm dreaming ♪ of you tonight 4 chair challenge... ♪ estoy soñando ♪ i knew i had to give the performance of my life. ♪ en mis brazos, baby... ♪ ♪ yeah ♪ no... ♪ and here in my room ♪ dreaming about you and me [cheers and applause] >> carlito, you are in my final four. >> i jump around, pick up mario,

spun him around a couple of times. it was kind of an instinct that came to me to do it. gracias. >> carlito brings such a great energy to this competition. and i think he is gonna surprise people of what he can do. we will make sure that you feel 100% secure and ready to kill. >> paulina rubio is a strong woman. she always has something to say, and it's always for the better. ♪ ahh i definitely feel safe knowing that someone with her background is guiding me and is looking out for me. ♪ maria, maria [cheers and applause] ♪ you remind me of ♪ a west side story ♪ >> the first boy in my top three is carlito. [cheers and applause] >> just a few weeks ago, i was working at a coffee shop, and now i'm performing in front of america. it's unbelievable. okay, jeremy. your overseas wireless bill has gotten so high

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paulina rubio is mentoring the boys category, and there are two more to meet. next up is carlos guevara. >> i'm carlos guevara. i'm 16, and i'm a student. i'm from lexington, south carolina. >> what are you gonna sing? >> i'm gonna sing-- [stutters sharply] sorry. >> you nervous? >> yeah, uh--oh. no, i have tourette's. i have motor and vocal tics, which make me move a little weird sometimes. it's been a hassle in my life, but, you know, you can't let things hold you back, you know? >> no, you can't. that's right. >> all right. >> i was diagnosed with tourette's syndrome and ocd when i was 12. and through puberty, it starts to get worse. a couple of months ago, actually i had to leave school. i started out as the vice president of my whole entire student body, and i was a football player, and then it all just kind of crashed and burned. i tried every medicine in the book and the only thing that could help me was music.

♪ gravity [cheers and applause] ♪ wants to bring me down this is amazing. >> aww... >> to be there in my dreams so many times and to finally be there in reality was just an amazing experience. ♪ with all the love ♪ that his heart can stand >> he has a big challenge to overcome. but i liked carlos as soon as i met him. >> ♪ gravity [cheers and applause] >> carlos, i don't know you, but i feel really proud of you. >> thank you. >> with music, you heal all your health problems. it's just magical. i will say yes, carlos. [cheers and applause] >> ♪ ain't no sunshine ♪ when she's gone ♪ there ain't no sunshine ♪ when she's gone the 4 chair challenge was the scariest thing in my whole entire life. ♪ anytime she goes away

[cheers and applause] but last year, i would have never thought i would be here. >> please take a seat. >> i let tourette's define my life, and just to be where i am today... >> congratulations, carlos. >> is unbelievable. ♪ don't you worry ♪ don't you worry, child ♪ see, heaven's got ♪ a plan for you ♪ don't you worry >> i am so happy to be able to bring carlos guevara to the final round. he is such a unique talent. >> ♪ don't you worry >> there's something so spiritual about watching you. >> carlos guevara! >> carlos made it into paulina's top three. >> i took control of my life, and i'm ready to show everybody what i got. ♪ heaven's got a plan ♪ for you >> paulina's third and final boy

is tim olstad. >> i'm tim olstad. i'm 24 years old. i'm a server, and i'm from winona, minnesota. both my parents are music teachers. ever since i was little, they've definitely been a huge influence. i have two older sisters-- jeanne and meagan. you know, we're all very musical. i've always known that singing is what i want to do, but my confidence has definitely gotten in the way. so i auditioned in denver, and i was very nervous. >> all right, tim. they're ready for you. >> go, tim. you can do this. >> ♪ i have died every day ♪ waiting for you >> go, tim! whoo-hoo! >> ♪ darling, don't be afraid ♪ i have loved you ♪ for a thousand years i wanted it so bad. my hands were shaking. my mic was shaking. but i'm glad my voice wasn't shaking. ♪ more >> whoo-hoo! >> ♪ oh >> tim has one of those voices

that connects with people. >> during the 4 chair challenge, my nerves were a lot better. ♪ it's the climb ♪ it's all about ♪ it's all about the climb [cheers and applause] >> tim, you have a seat with me. >> yes! i initially got a seat, but i didn't really feel safe. >> timmy, you are in my final four. the boy that i'm gonna send home is... tim olstad. [audience groans] >> no! no! >> when timmy took my chair, i was like, "it's over. i'm done. i'm going home." >> all: tim! we want tim! we want tim! we want tim! >> as tim was leaving the stage, i realized that with his talent, it would be just crazy

to let him go. >> paulina, you made a very controversial choice, and you're calling time-out. >> then all of a sudden, one of the crew members came up, and they said, "follow me." >> tim olstad's coming back. >> all: we want tim! we want tim! >> tim... >> listen, tim, i want you back in my team. >> are you serious? >> i want you to be confident. i want you to be tougher. >> ♪ yeah... with paulina, i'm growing and learning, and i'm gonna work my butt off to stay in this competition. ♪ i'll be there ♪ till the stars don't shine ♪ till the heavens burst ♪ and words don't rhyme ♪ and when i die ♪ you'll be on my mind ♪ and i'll love you >> my third and final boy in my top three is... tim olstad. >> congratulations, tim! >> i'm hoping that america is gonna be at home, chanting, "we want tim! we want tim!" throughout the rest

of this competition. this is my dream, and i'm not gonna screw this up. >> still to come... >> ♪ try and try and... >> an outstanding performance. >> this is for my son, his future. that's what this is for. >> ♪ dance i don't want to go back to bartending in nashville. i've come this far. i'm not going home. avo: the volkswagen "sign then drive" sales event is back. which means it's never been easier to get a new passat, awarded j.d. power's most appealing midsize car, two years in a row. and right now you can drive one home for practically just your signature. get zero due at signing, zero down, zero deposit, and zero first month's payment on any new 2014 volkswagen. hurry, this offer ends october 31st. for details, visit vwdealer.com today.

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