"The X Factor" USA 2013 resumed Oct. 3 on FOX with the second installment of the all-new four chair challenge. Just a night after over 25s group mentor Kelly Rowland selected her quartet of live show-bound finalists, girls group coach Demi Lovato followed suit by choosing her own top four.
Claiming coveted berths in the all-important live shows were talented aspiring songstresses and students Danie Geimer, Khaya Cohen, Rion Paige Thompson and Ellona Santiago.
Although all four girls earned the right to advance with respective strong performances, the decision making process wasn't all smooth sailing for Lovato. Primrose Martin delivered a rough rendition of "Blame it on the Boogie," and when Lovato seemed poised to send her packing, she launched a desperate musical play for survival that ultimately fell on deaf ears.
Lovato also struggled mightily with whether or not to give Santiago, who was the last hopeful to perform, a chair. Although Rowland called her "a beast" and Simon Cowell said he couldn't imagine the competition without her, Lovato said she wasn't sure of Santiago's "star power" and initially seemed reluctant to offer her a seat. Eventually, she relented to the audience and her fellow coaches, and Jamie Pineda fell victim to the evening's final switch out.
Lovato's girls join over 25s Rachel Potter, Jeff Gutt, James Kenney and Lillie McCloud as members of the top 16. The results of the boys and groups four chair challenge rounds will be revealed when "The X Factor" USA 2013 returns Oct. 9 and 10 on FOX.
