STAGE TUBE: Rachel Crow's Final Performance on THE X FACTOR

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.

The first finalist to make it to the semi-finals next week was rocker Josh Krajcik, who literally made his mentor Nicole Scherzinger squeal with delight upon hearing the news. The second hopeful through was Chris Rene, who won fans over with his original song last night, "Where Do We Go From Here." 

"What can I say? I just love my life today!" said Chris in reacting to his good news. As for Josh, he said, "I always believed in myself ... I'm excited to get back to work. I'm ready to go!"

The tensions ran high backstage when host Steve Jones asked Rachel if she feels confident. "No, I'm really scared," she admitted. Marcus, who has been in the bottom for the last two weeks, was ready to battle it out. "I'm gonna step up," he said, referring to singing for survival if it comes to that. Melanie, on the other hand, said she has confidence in her fans, but admitted, "I'm really nervous right now. I don't know what to feel."

The final act going straight into the semi-finals was Melanie, who put her hands on her face in relief. Marcus Canty stepped up first for the song for survival round with "I'm Going Down" by Mary J. Blige. Rachel sang for survival for the first time with Etta James' "I'd Rather Go Blind" - which she also sang in the Top 11 - with an overflowing of emotion and tears. 

L.A. Reid said, "This has to be the toughest part of the show. Both of you are great. You actually really surprised me, Rachel. I didn't expect that... Marcus, you came out and you killed it like you always do. Amazing." He stood by his man and sent Rachel home.

With little words, Simon, naturally, sent Marcus Home and stuck by his girl, Rachel. Paula said she voted with her heart for the one that "really blew me away," which was Rachel and she sent Marcus Home. As the crowd chanted, "Rachel! Rachel! Rachel!" again -Nicole consulted with Paula before saying, "I can't make this decision. Please... I have to go to deadlock, please...I don't want to send you home, Rachel. So the act that I have to send home is Rachel." She forced a deadlock by voting for Rachel to tie it up and leave it to America's votes.

Surprisingly, it was Rachel with the lowest votes. "I just I love you so much everybody for voting for me," said Rachel in parting. "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." Simon added, "I believe that she went out on the highest that she could've gone out on." 

Tune in Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 8/7C on FOX to vote through the three you want to see in the finale and find out which lucky finalists make it through to the finale on Thursday, Dec. 15.

To view Rachel's final performance, click below!