Josh Krajcik News

On Wednesday's preshow, MTV News' Jim Cantiello will be interviewing THE X FACTOR host Steve Jones. Hosts Dan Levy and Taryn Southern will be doing interviews with consulting producer/head choreographer Brian Friedman, judges Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid, and Nicole Scherzinger,as well as X Factor vlogger CourtneyPants. Wendy Williams of 'The Wendy Williams Show', will be calling in via Skype to talk all things THE X FACTOR as well.

At a press conference held yesterday afternoon, the Top 3 finalists and judges revealed details of this week's finale episodes of THE X FACTOR. At the conference, Simon Cowell announced that in addition to Justin Bieber and Leona Lewis performing on the two-hour finale this Thursday, Dec. 22, Pitbull and Ne-Yo are also slated to perform - and our Top 3 contenders, Chris Rene, Josh Krajcik, and Melanie Amaro - will perform a duet with three surprise mega, grade-A, superstars on Wednesday's show.

Controversy is never too far offstage in any Simon Cowell production - manufactured, actual or otherwise - and the debut season of the US edition of his international smash reality singing competition THE X FACTOR on Fox has been overloaded with drama, meltdowns, breakdowns and buckets of tears. Stars have been made and dreams have been broken - par for the course, as always, on a singing show like this. Yet, no one on the show, whether judge or participant - no, not even Paula Abdul, Rachel Crow or the flasher himself - has been met with the irate hate and all-around ire of fans and critics alike quite like new judge Nicole Scherzinger. Sure, Simon cajoles her and criticizes her too much - to much winning effect - amping up the competition amongst the four judges, as is his wont - and, really, that's the whole hook of the show, anyway. The ex-Pussycat Dolls front-woman (remember 'Don't Cha'?), Scherzinger has had middling success in her solo career post-Pussycats in the US, yet she has racked up #1 hits overseas, and, had her last album not been plagued with stateside release issues, perhaps there would be a larger audience more aware of her repertoire and irreproachable talent here on these shores. Alas, many are meeting her for the first time in her new role as an X FACTOR judge - responsible for the most difficult category, no less; the Over 30s - and perhaps that is not the best light to make first impressions under. No matter what her judging abilities are, the girl can clearly sing - and sing well - which is more than can be said of many in similar roles on other singing-centered shows (or even this one). In addition to that, she has shown a remarkable stage presence - particularly in her essaying of the role of Maureen (made famous in the original Broadway cast by WICKED Tony Award winner Idina Menzel) in RENT at the Hollywood Bowl, directed by Neil Patrick Harris - and, even more recently, has displayed her legit side with her stunning performance of the title song from Andrew Lloyd Webber's PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - alongside four famous Phantoms - at the Royal Variety Performance last week for the queen. Just last night, Scherzinger took center stage on the X FACTOR's results show to sing her surprisingly strong new single, 'Pretty' - an episode which also saw the final remaining contestant under her tutelage remaining in the competition, Josh Krajcik, survive another week and make it into the Top 4 - and proceeded to positively set the night alight. Haters can hate, but Scherzinger undoubtedly proved any naysayers wrong insofar as her fierce talent and reason for appearing on the show as a judge is concerned - no question. Post-Pussycat Dolls, Scherzinger seems to be flying high - lest we forget: she also won DANCING WITH THE STARS early last year - and the stages of New York and London seem a perfect place for her to show off her considerable triple-threat abilities in the future, whether near or far. Plus, if she can make it in show business with that last name, you have to at the very least appreciate her striving for authenticity at all times - like it or not. Scherzinger not only sings like an angel, she looks like one, too. She is the whole package and definitely possesses the X factor - and maybe a Y and Z, too.

On last night's episode of THE X FACTOR on Fox, another contestant was eliminated and the three finalists were named. Of all the weeks to go home, the week before the finale is arguably the hardest to be sent packing. In less than a week, one of them will be taking home the $5 million recording contract with Sony Music and a starring role in a Pepsi commercial.

Tonight is the night, everyone- the last results show before the finals! We are going to find out who our finalists are! There were some really great performances last night, but one more contestant must go home tonight. This huge decision is completely up to America and no one will be performing for their lives. Anything can happen! This is a night when the votes can really make or break the competition. Did America get it right? We will soon find out as the 3 finalists that will be competing next week to win it all are revealed!

It was make it or break it time at last night's semi-finals as Melanie Amaro, Marcus Canty, Josh Krajcik, and Chris Rene sang two songs each to secure a place in next week's season finale. The judges even made a few predictions of who would make it onto next week.

This is it, people- the semi-finals! We have come so far, there are just 3 episodes left! The top 4 will be competing live tonight for a place in the finale! The contestants will be singing two songs, one of them being the Pepsi Challenge Song, a song that America choses for them to sing. Tonight, they must be at their best, since they need to impress viewers more than ever. One person will be going home tomorrow and the judges have no say in this. The contestants' fates are completely in the hands of America. We are just one week away from crowning the winner of the X Factor!

X Factor judges Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger, Paula Abdul and LA Reid appeared on ABC's JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE and reacted to recent elimination controversies over their hit show on FOX. On last week's show, popular contestant Rachel Crow was elimated from the competition after a deadlocked decision by the judges.

Tonight's elimination on THE X FACTOR was the most surprising elimination of the season when five finalists became four lucky semi-finalists and one went home in a sea of tears.

On tonight's shocking results show, Rachel Crow, one of Simon Cowell's finalists from the Girls category, was eliminated from THE X FACTOR.

The time has come, folks- it's the final 5 results show! After tonight, 4 contestants will move on to next week's semi-finals and be just one step away from winning the competition! Last night, everyone did a great job with their dance song as well as the songs that they chose for themselves. One contestant must go home tonight and will not make it to the semi-finals.

It was a night of dance hits as the Top 5 took to the stage on last night's THE X FACTOR on Fox.

Are you ready to dance? Tonight, the contestants will be performing dance songs. We now are down to the top 5 finalists and are just a couple weeks away from crowning the winner of The X Factor! The remaining contestants will be performing tonight for a spot in the Semi-finals. They must bring their A game because they are singing 2 songs each. They are once again competing for your votes and one more contestant will be leaving the competition tomorrow! Only 4 will be moving on to next week's Semi-Finals!

Fox has announced that international superstars Mary J. Blige and Lenny Kravitz will take to THE X FACTOR stage next week to perform.

On last night's double elimination on THE X FACTOR on Fox, both Astro and Drew were eliminated from the competition. According to E!, Simon Cowell was reportedly extremely upset over the decision to eliminate his 'protoge' Drew and refused to comment on the show.

After tonight's double elimination, only five finalists remain in the competition: Melanie Amaro, Marcus Canty, Rachel Crow, Josh Krajcik and Chris Rene. Tune in Wednesday, Dec. 7 (8:00-9:30 PM ET/PT), when the Top Five must sing two songs each in their quest to reach THE X FACTOR grand finale.

Fox has announced that international superstars Mary J. Blige and Lenny Kravitz will take to THE X FACTOR stage next week to perform.

This is it, everyone- the final 7 results show! After tonight, we will be left with just 5 contestants! We are coming down to homestretch and it is getting harder and harder to lose such great performers. It is especially difficult on nights like tonight when two acts must go home. While some contestants struggled, most conquered Michael Jackson songs wonderfully last night. It is tough to decide who should be leaving, but it certainly is easy to know who deserves to stay. We can only hope that America got it right tonight and put the strongest competitors through to next week!

On last night's THE X FACTOR, the remaining contestants paid tribute to the late artist, Michael Jackson. In addition to the X FACTOR tribute, IMMORTAL, the soundtrack to Michael Jackson's The IMMORTAL World Tour by Cirque Du Soleil, was released on November 21st, making it a special week for the Jackson family.