The X Factor first began in the UK and was created by Simon Cowell. After it became a huge hit in Britain, Cowell took it to various other countries including, Australia, France, Spain, and the United States.
In the US, the X Factor is currently in its 3rd season. The season premiered on September 11, 2013.
There were many changes made this season compared to season two, but the most noteworthy was the departure of both Britney Spears and L.A. Reid as judges on the show. Spears and Reid were replaced by former Destiny’s Child member and The X Factor UK judge, Kelly Rowland and Mexican singer and former La Voz… Mexico (The Voice… Mexico)judge, Paulina Rubio.
Another big change from season 2 was the removal of the boot camp and judges’ houses rounds, where contestants would be narrowed down, and then the smaller groups would be sent to their mentor’s house. These two features were replaced with a new section called “The Four-Chair Challenge”, which Cowell compared to the live shows.
Again, unlike the previous seasons, Mario Lopez is not co-hosting, but instead is the sole host. Last season, he’d co-hosted with Khloe Kardashian.
What has not changed so far are the live shows, where remaining contestants each perform a song, receive critique from each of the judges, and then one contestant is eliminated. The live shows for season 3 began on Tuesday, October 29th and the most recent show was on Thanksgiving day, November 28th.
On the Thanksgiving episode, the finalists were revealed: Olivero, Ellona Santiago, Alex & Sierra, Restless Road, Jeff Gutt, and Rion Paige. Paige stayed on the show after a sing-off between her and Josh Levi. Only time and the judges can tell who the real winners will be.
