Britney Spears wows in plunging neon dress... as Fifth Harmony, Carly Rose, Emblem3 and Tate Stevens compete for a place in the X Factor final
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With a place in the final and a $5m recording contract up for grabs, the four remaining X Factor contestants were obviously hoping to impress.
But while they tried their hardest, they couldn't come close to competing with Britney Spears.
For while she didn't get up on the stage, the pop star certainly had the most eye-catching outfit in a plunging neon yellow dress.
Stealing the show: Britney Spears wowed in a plunging dress on the X Factor semi-final on Wednesday
She and her fellow judges had plenty to say about the four acts appearing in front of them.
But for once that is where their influence ends - with viewers votes alone deciding the outcome for the very first time.
Tate Stevens, Carly Rose Sonenclar, Emblem3 and Fifth Harmony each sang two songs as they sought to win enough viewers votes to take them through to next week's final and a shot at the $5m recording contract.
Not so mellow yellow: Britney's choice of plunging neckline made for a daring look
Enviable pins: The singer's skimpy choice of ensemble paraded her slim figure and killer legs in all their glory
Bright young thing! Britney looked sexy and confident in her neon frock
Each act got to choose one song to stake their claim and their mentor got to choose a second tune.
Kicking off the semi-finals was Tate Stevens, a 37-year-old road worker from Dalton, Missouri, who chose to sang 'Bonfire' by Craig Morgan.
'I have to say that at this point in the competition it has to be your best and I do not think that was,' said Britney Spears, who was decked out in a tight neon dress.
Demi disagreed, saying: 'That was a freaking amazing performance. Not only did it take me home and make me think I was in Texas but it was a winning performance.'
First on stage: Country singer Tate Stevens is a favourite for the X Factor's top spot, but will face stiff competition if he is to win the $5m recording contract
Singing his heart out: Kicking off the semi-finals was Tate Stevens, a 37-year-old road worker from Dalton, Missouri, who chose to sang 'Bonfire' by Craig Morgan
Second song: All the contestants got two songs - their own choice, and their mentor's
Simon added: 'You could have chosen something mushy, which would have got the votes, but you brought the song you want to record and that is why for me it was one of my favorites of your performances.
'You look like a man right now who believes can win this competition.'
Tate's mentor L.A Reid was so enthusiastic he grabbed his own black cowboy hat to deliver judgment.
'You lit that stage on fire and it was the most fun I have had since doing this show,' said Reid.
Later Tate began the second round of the night, performing Fall by Clay Walker.
Giving their judgement: But while the judges had plenty of opinions, LA Reid, Britney, Demi Lovato and Simon Cowell have no say in who goes through to the final
Tate dedicated the song to his wife, with whom he celebrated his 15th wedding anniversary in the week.
'We have seen you hit and miss a lot in this competition but I feel like that was a direct hit,' said Britney.
Demi was also positive, saying: 'Your wife must just feel like the luckiest girl in the world.'
Simon was also happy with Tate, tipping him for the final, while LA told him: 'You are consistent, you have been great every time and tonight was no exception. You were great again, good luck to you,' he said.
Young star: Carly Rose Sonenclar, wearing metallic lace printed trousers, a sleeveless top and a black hat, sang Your Song by Sir Elton John
Second up was Carly Rose Sonenclar, a 13-year-old schoolgirl from Westchester, New York.
Carly, wearing metallic lace printed trousers, a sleeveless top and a black hat, chose Your Song by Sir Elton John.
'You did things with that song I have never heard done before,' said L.A.
Outfit change: For her second performance Carly Rose chose a red ballgown
'It is no secret I have no contestants left, which sucks,' said Demi. 'But it means everyone can 100 percent trust what I say.
'Honestly it was still very predictable, you walked out on stage and it was like "Here we go again."
'You sound phenomenal, which is great but it was another slow song. That said it was my favorite song you have performed. I don't care if it was predictable because it was great.'
Making an impression: Imagine saw Carly also playing the piano
Simon jumped in and said 'Demi I'm confused you did not like it but it was your favorite? So you did like it? Why didn't you just say that.'
Demi shot back saying snidely 'He can't hear, he is really old.'
Simon and Demi then stared each other down in silence before Cowell said 'I am going to ignore my little brat.
'This is the first time I have genuinely seen emotion from you during this competition.
'I do not think it was your best performance so far and you are very lucky you have a second song.'
Britney added: 'I think you have blossomed into a huge superstar already and I so proud to be your mentor.'
'Proud to be your mentor': Britney was seen coaching her young protegee backstage
For her second song she played piano and sang John Lennon's Imagine.
'What I love is that you have taken your artistic credibility up a notch by playing the piano. It is a very difficult song but you always know how to go in and find that note,' said L.A.
'The only predictable thing about that performance was that it was going to be amazing,' said delighted Demi.
'You sounded beautiful, I love that you took a risk.'
Simon, on the other hand, was not overly impressed. 'I would have kept you at the piano because the weird thing was it was like there were five things going on during that song. It made a beautiful song fussy,' he said.
Britney came to her contestant's defense saying: 'I disagree. It is time for you to go beyond this stage and compete with the biggest stars in the world.'
Singing for survival: Emblem3 chose Peter Frampton's Baby I Love Your Way
Third to perform was Simon's Californian boy band Emblem3, who chose Peter Frampton's Baby I Love Your Way.
'You are very fortunate to be so charismatic and charming. I was worrying if you would ever have your $5m moment, until now,' said an excited L.A.
Britney was also enthused calling the performance 'special' and added 'It would be unfair to call you a boy band because you are way more than that.'
And after weeks of criticism even Demi was positive about the band.
Of course he loves it! Simon was very complimentary about the band - his own act
'Honestly that was the first time since the audition that I felt that is what Emblem3 is, that is what is different about them and that is what makes me love them,' she said.
Simon was delighted. 'This is arguably one of the most important nights of your life,' said Cowell.
'What I love is that this reminded me of your very first audition, it was raw and you were doing instinctively what you felt was right. If this does not get you into the final, nothing will.'
Next they performed Hey Jude by the Beatles.
'I am not going to kid you I was prepared to rip you to shreds, doing a Beatles song is very presumptuous as though you are teen heartthrobs like the Beatles. But you are teen heartthrobs like the Beatles,' gushed L.A.
'That was risky business doing that song but great job.'
Wow! The group celebrate after Demi is complimentary for once
Britney called it an 'A level performance' and told the band to take a bow.
'I don't know if you can compare it to the Beatles yet, I think they are getting there,' said Demi.
'I think you have the potential seeing the fan base you have, that was amazing.'
Simon pumped up the band and praised their performances.
'You have come into this competition with steel in your eyes and nailed it on both songs. Seriously fantastic,' said Simon.
Completing the first round was Simon's girl group Fifth Harmony, who sang Ellie Goulding's 'Anything Could Happen' on a tea party-themed stage.
Candy girls: Completing the first round was Simon's girl group Fifth Harmony, who sang Ellie Goulding's 'Anything Could Happen' on a tea party-themed stage
'That performance was the very best vocal performance you have ever done,' said a beaming L.A.
'I loved everything about it, it was magic up there, I love your outfits and that you are inspiring girl power,' added Britney.
Demi was also happy with what she saw.
'The dresses, everything, it was so cute. You pulled out the little bit of sparkle that you guys need sometimes,' she said.
Simon was also bullish about the performance.
'You come into tonight as underdogs. To get into the final is going to take a miracle, but after that performance like the lyric in the song says Anything Could Happen.
Tea anyone? The group ham it up for the cameras
The group finished off the show singing Shontelle's Impossible, a song they had sung before in the competition.
'I think the song choice was lazy, you have done it before, I have heard it. Your first performance was a finals calibre performance, that one I am not so sure about,' said L.A.
Britney was also a hard marker.
Having a laugh: The five celebrate their positive comments
'It was pretty good but at this stage of the competition it is stiff and I would be really surprised if you guys are here next week,' said Britney.
Demi was also skeptical about the girls' chances.
Being the underdog you maybe do not have a lot of people supporting you on the judges panel so it is going to come down to your fan base and how much they support you.
'I hope they pull through for you but I am a little worried too.'
Final performance: The group sing their last song
Simon tried to pump Fifth Harmony up, telling them 'That song was a reminder why I fell in love with you as a group in the first place,' he said.
'I think you have been one of the strongest acts tonight and if we are going to judge based on tonight I really hope and pray that America gets behind you and puts you through to the final.'
Three acts will find out if they have made the final on Thursday night and one will go home.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2247350/X-Factor-Britney-Spears-wows-plunging-Fifth-Harmony-Carly-Rose-Emblem3-Tate-Stevens-compete-place-final.html#ixzz2EvjSbOuh
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