The X Factor brought previously-eliminated contestant Josh Levi back and featured a little lip action between mentors Kelly Rowland and Simon Cowell during Wednesday night's performance show.
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Mentor Paulina Rubio had sent Levi packing when determining the elimination of one of her four "Boys" artists last week, but he was welcomed back into the competition last night after all four mentors agreed it was too early to see him go.
"Last week, the mentors of each category picked their Top 3 acts, but after the show, they all had serious doubts over one particular singer who had been eliminated. Simon, what exactly happened there?" The X Factor host Mario Lopez asked the show's creator at the beginning of the show.
"There were a lot of people that could've made it through last week, but there was one in particular. We all said the same thing, 'This person deserves a second shot.' So we agreed that this person would come back as a wild card," Cowell announced.
"And this person that Simon is talking about is Mr. Josh Levi!" Lopez revealed. "Mr. Levi will be coming back to us, joining us tonight."
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Levi, a 15-year-old from Houston, TX, was just shy of making the Top 12, but now he's officially part of the third season's Top 13 finalists and live-show performers.
"When I was eliminated, I was definitely heartbroken. I know that I didn't do my best on the stage and I can do so much more," Levi said. "I've got so much to prove now. I only have one shot at a second chance."
Also during last night's broadcast, Rowland planted a big kiss on Cowell after he complimented her "Over 25s" artist Lillie McCloud, a 54-year-old from Orlando, FL, following her performance of a Motown hit. Rowland was initially worried Cowell was going to tear McCloud apart, but when he pleasantly surprised her with support, she was overcome with happiness.
"This is actually one of my favorite Stevie Wonder songs. It is, and like [Demi Lovato] said, I have to be honest, Lillie," Cowell began as Rowland tried to move his microphone away from his mouth and stared him down in fear he was going to say something negative.
"I thought that was absolutely fantastic. I mean, seriously! I've got to tell you..."
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Before he could finish his statement, Rowland grabbed his head and gave him a big kiss on the lips. She cracked up in laughter afterwards.
"It's just so easy to take for granted actually how good someone like you is," Cowell said to McCloud. "I mean, we are really lucky to have you on this show, but I still think there's more to come. I do."
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski