Simon Cowell
“The X Factor” top 16 was revealed on Tuesday night – and quickly became a Top 17 after one cut caused Simon Cowell to proclaim, “I hate this job sometimes.” Reuters

Nearly 32 acts survived last week's Judges' Homes episodes and encounters with Simon Cowell, who will sort out the weak from the strong on The X Factor, TV's newest singing contest.

After weeks of build-up, The X Factor’s Season 1 finalists going to the live show performances were finally revealed on Tuesday night -- 17 in total, rather than the 16, Fox announced.

As Digital Spy reports, the X Factor special was a success last night with slightly over 10 million viewers.

They are having to do this without being at home. It was very draining and you see a lot of people crumbling under the pressure, says Cowell. They really are weeded out in every area of performance.

The four judges competing against each other as mentors to different groups of 17 contestants:

Girls:
Simone Battle
Drew Ryniewicz
Rachel Crow
Melanie Amaro (Brought Back)
Tiah Tolliver

Boys:
Brian Bradley
Phillip Lomax
Marcus Canty
Chris Rene

Over 30s:
LeRoy Bell
Josh Krajcik
Dexter Haygood
Stacy Francis

Groups:
Stereo Hogzz
Lakoda Rayne
The Brewer Boys
InTENsity

There's no question that viewers were surprised by 19-year-old Melanie Amaro, who received an emotional, unexpected second chance by show creator and head judge Cowell.

Episodes of the judges' making the final decisions at their homes aired on Fox on Tuesday night as the new talent competition moves closer to what judge and creator Cowell says is its most entertaining and distinguishing feature.

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