STAGE TUBE: X FACTOR Recap - Chris Rene Performs Original Song

It was a night of dance hits as the Top 5 took to the stage on last night's THE X FACTOR on Fox. Melanie Amaro kicked things off with her dance take of Adele's "Someone Like You."  L.A. Reid told her, "That was really good. The only thing that bothered me about it was that it was really good." Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul loved her look and her performance. Simon Cowell was proud of his act and said, "It was taking a track and doing something different with it. You've got confidence. You sound like a diva. You would have a hit record with that version." We couldn't agree more.

Next up was Marcus Canty who performed his take on Chaka Khan's "Ain't Nobody." He had a lot to prove after being in the bottom two the past couple of weeks. In a sleek black suit, Marcus was surrounded by neon-dressed dancers and got the crowd grooving. Nicole told him, "Honey, you took us to church and the dance club at the same time. You have earned your spot to be here today." PaUla Loved his performance, saying that it reminded her of the first time she saw him. Simon confessed, "I shouldn't be very happy with you, should I? To be fair, I have to judge you within the competition and I have to say that was a very, very good performance. I like people who don't act like victims or blame other people. You came back strong." L.A. urged everyone to vote, vote, vote!

Simon made sure to point out that Rachel Crow picked her own song and that no chair would be present in the performance. She performed "Nothin' On You" by Bruno Mars. L.A. told her, "You're such a little star." Nicole beamed, "I'm just waiting for the Rachel Crow doll to come out complete with her own bathroom." Paula continued with the love and said, "You are just beautifully fearless. Your vocal depth transcends all generations." She also said it was her best performance yet! Nasty Simon came out to play when he said, "And I'm waiting for the Nicole doll to come out. The voodoo doll." Dang. Bitter much, Simon? But of course, he only had love for Rachel.

Josh Krajcik was up next with his dance take on Rihanna's "We Found Love."  L.A. told him, "In the recording world, I could never really see you doing it. I didn't buy it." Paula totally disagreed and said, "He can take any song and make it believable as a dance hit. Way to go, Josh!" Simon agreed with L.A. and thought he sounded good but that the song was completely inappropriate. He especially hated the "ridiculous dance routine" and said it was "distracting" and had "nothing to do with song." Nicole was ready to protect her boy. She told Josh, "You just showed how versatile, relevant, and current you are as an artist." Josh told the judges, "I love this song. I think it's dark and uplifting at the same time and I can relate to that. I'm happy with it."

Chris Rene performed "Live Your Life" (with original lyrics) by T.I. featuring Rihanna. He started his song standing on the tables of the totally hot DJ duo NERVO before continuing his performance on a moving travelator. Nicole said, "You go ahead and live your life. We're living it right here with you. I love that you wrote the verses. It sounds like it's your own song." Paula said it was one of the most fun performances she had seen. Simon wasn't as convinced and said, "I'm not going to say you're the best singer, but as an overall potential artist, I think you're doing brilliant." And he was not a fan of the travelator. What! Lastly, L.A. told his boy that he was proud he made the song his own.

The finalists were told late Tuesday night that they had to change their second song (the one they'd rehearsed) and pick another one. They had less than 24 hours to prepare their second song when they usually get six to seven days! 

Melanie sang "When You Believe" by Whitney Houston.  L.A. told her, "Of course, that was great. You're always great. That was unbelievable. Safe, but amazing." Nicole added, "You gave me goose bumps all over. I felt like you were speaking that song to each and every one of us." Paula compared her to the greats. Simon called L.A. out by calling her performance "safe" when she prepared such a huge song in less than 24 hours. He also didn't fail to point out that the legendary Clive Davis, the man responsible for signing Whitney, among other great artists, was sitting a few rows behind in the audience!

Marcus sang "A Song For You" by Donny Hathaway. Nicole said to him, "Thank you for reminding us all why we fell in love with you from the start. That was so honest. You remind me of a young Al Green." Paula thought it was one of his best performances and told him "Your eyes do not lie and you are a storyteller." Simon thought it was good but wasn't "jumping out of his chair" since he had heard that version before. And L.A. reminded Marcus that Muhammad Ali got knocked down twice and came back like a champion, just like him. "I got your back!" L.A. assured him.

Rachel performed "Music & Me" by Michael Jackson. L.A. told her, "I love that you picked that song for yourself. I really love your vision for you, it's so inspiring. You're the star that we always thought you were." Nicole continued the compliments, "You're like an old soul in a 13-year old." Paula called her a wonderful role model and said she was "every girl's best friend and every parent's day dream." Paula even told Simon that he was very lucky to have her. Simon was all smiles when he said, "I like the fact that you chose the songs this week. Both songs worked." 

Josh performed a soulful "Something" by the Beatles. L.A. told him, "Thank God you had a second song tonight. That's the Josh that I love. Ever so slightly karaoke, but really good nonetheless." Paula added, "Adjectives don't describe your brilliance anymore." Simon thought it was a massive improvement but then said, "You looked actually insane half-way through. Your eyes were rolling." Nicole was ready to back her boy when she said that it was called "getting lost in the music and letting yourself go." Simon's comeback? "Why don't you get lost for the moment and let me finish." Simon snapped back. Nicole couldn't help but laugh and L.A. clapped for Simon's witty comeback. Simon advised Josh, "Do what you do best. You are a singer/songwriter. Adele doesn't need any props, nor do you." Nicole agreed, "That's right, Simon. Josh is like the male Adele in the industry right now. And that's what I like to call Krajcik Magic."

Last but definitely not least, Chris performed his original song "Where Do We Go From Here" sitting on a chair and playing his guitar. An impressed Nicole told him, "The sky's the limit with you." On the theme of the sky and everything celestial, Paula added, "The universe works in mysterious ways. This is what I've been waiting for." Simon told him that choosing to sing his own song was either stupidity or a stroke of genius. Then he added, "That was a stroke of genius." L.A. was proud of his boy, plain and simple.

On tonight's results show legends Lenny Kravitz and Mary J. Blige  take the stage at 8/7C on FOX.

To see Chris Rene sing 'Where Do We Go From Here", click below!