X Factor USA Show Highlights & Videos from 10/5

The audition phase of X Factor is over and the bootcamp begins. In what will be the toughest week of the competition, 162 performers or groups will fight a spot in the top 32. These will be split in to the four groups – boys, girls, over 30′s, and groups. Each of the judges – Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger, and L.A. Reid – will mentor one of these groups through the competition.

The bootcamp is the phase before the final performances begin. They are judged on voice, dance, style and attitude. These acts will be cut one by one until the final 32 are left.

On the first day, the acts will be reduced to 100. This bootcamp will separate the good from the not-so-good says Simon Cowell. The contestants are first put through a Dance phase by Choreographer Brian Friedman. Some contestants, like 14 year-old Brian Bradley, sit the Dance round out, as they don’t consider it to be a part of their act.

Afterwards, to refresh the judges memory of their voices they sing briefly, ten at a time. Unlike the first auditions, the pressure gets to some. While some of the others still sound great. A single group is brought at time to learn the judges decision. Some of those who didn’t make it through the take the elimination pretty hard.

Onto the next day. This time the contestnats are woken up and told they have five minutes to get ready and meet L.A. Reid in the lobby. They will now be sorted in to ensemble acts and have to learn new songs. Fortunately for the contestants they will work some of the best peopel in the music industry. With only five hours to prepare for the performance, the pressure runs high. Even more so because a third of the performers will be sent home.

The seven groups perform one by one in front of the judges.

The first group sings Radiohead’s Creep. A stunning performance, especially by Audrey Turner, who impresses the judges.

Group two sings U2’s I still haven’t found what I’m looking for. This group includes Jazzlyn Little and Stacy Frances. Jazzlyn forgets the words to the song, but keeps going anyway.

The remaining acts perform well, especially the group who sang Desperado by The Eagles. The rather controversial Tia sang in fifth group and came out with attitude, strut, and vocals that got a ‘yeah!’ from Simon.

The next episode will see one-third of the groups sent home. Finally, the remaining contestants will be divided into boys, girls, over 30′s, and groups. The judges will then learn which group they will be mentoring.

Next week we hit the judges houses for the mentoring stage. Can’t wait!