The cast of "The X Factor": hot Steve Jones and judges Nicole Sherzinger, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and L.A. Reid. (FOX photo)

'The X Factor' top finalists perform for America's votes Wednesday, Nov. 2

The "Judges' Homes" round of "The X Factor" came to an exciting and dramatic conclusion Tuesday when the judges revealed the 17 acts that will continue in the competition. In a surprise announcement, Simon Cowell revealed that he had made a mistake in the eliminations and brought back Melanie Amaro, who now will compete as one of the remaining 17 acts.

In a special extended live two-and-a-half hour episode on Tuesday, Oct. 25 (8-10:30 p.m.), "The X Factor" ramps up to an explosive new level as the remaining acts take the stage for their last shot at becoming one of the top finalists. The acts are currently training with the top choreographers and vocal producers in the music industry and working with America's leading style teams, in preparation for their most crucial performance yet. Don't miss this explosive episode when the judges must decide who will become one of "The X Factor" finalists.

On Wednesday, Nov. 2 (8-10 p.m.), "The X Factor" enters a new phase of the competition, in which the top finalists from all categories compete against each other for the first time. The finalists will perform not only for the praise of Simon, Paula, L.A. and Nicole, but for America's votes as well, when the voting lines open immediately after the show.

THE REMAINING 17 ACTS ARE:

The girls whom Simon Cowell is mentoring:

Melanie Amaro  

• Age: 19  
• Hometown: Tortola, British Virgin Islands
• Currently Resides: Coral Springs/Sunrise, Fla.
• Keep up with Melanie at:
• www.twitter.com/itsmelanieamaro (@ItsMelanieAmaro)
• www.facebook.com/pages/Melanie-Amaro/117865004985741

Simone Battle 

• Age: 22
• Hometown: Los Angeles
• Currently Resides: Los Angeles
• Keep up with Simone at:
• www.twitter.com/simonebattle (@simonebattle)
• www.facebook.com/simonebattleonfb

Rachel Crow  

• Age: 13
• Hometown: Longmont/Mead, Colo.
• Currently Resides: Burbank, Calif.
• Keep up with Rachel at:
• www.twitter.com/IamRachelCrow (@IamRachelCrow)
• www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Crow

Drew Ryniewicz

• Age: 14
• Hometown: Chino Valley, Ariz.
• Currently Resides: Chino Valley
• Keep up with Drew at:
• www.twitter.com/drewryniewicz1(@drewryniewicz1)
• www.facebook.com/pages/Drew-Ryniewicz/251573518221876

Tiah Tolliver  

• Age: 20
• Hometown: Chula Vista, Calif.
• Currently Resides: Bremerton, Wash.
• Keep up with Tiah at:
• www.twitter.com/TiahTolliver(@TiahTolliver)
• www.facebook.com/pages/Tiah-Tolliver/204902059581635

The boys whom L.A. Reid is mentoring:

Astro

• Age: 15
• Hometown: Brooklyn
• Currently Resides: Brooklyn
• Keep up with Astro at:
• www.twitter.com/Astronomicalkid (@Astronomicalkid)
• www.facebook.com/theastronomicalkid

Marcus Canty 

• Age: 20
• Hometown: Bowie, Md.
• Currently Resides: Bowie
• Keep up with Marcus at:
• www.twitter.com/IamMarcusCanty(@iammarcuscanty)
• www.facebook.com/officialmarcuscanty

Phillip Lomax 

• Age: 22
• Hometown: Seattle
• Currently Resides: Seattle
• Keep up with Phillip at:
• www.twitter.com/@philliplomax(@philliplomax)
• www.facebook.com/PhillipLomaxMusic

Chris Rene

• Age: 28
• Hometown: Santa Cruz, Calif.
• Currently Resides: Santa Cruz
• Keep up with Chris at:
• www.twitter.com/MrChrisRene (@mrchrisrene)
• www.facebook.com/ChrisReneMusic831

The over 30s whom Nicole Scherzinger is mentoring: 

LeRoy Bell

• Age: 60
• Hometown: Tacoma, Wash.
• Currently Resides: Edmonds/Seattle, Wash.
• Keep up with LeRoy at:
• www.twitter.com/LeRoyBell (@LeRoyBell)
• www.facebook.com/LeRoyBellMusic

Stacy Francis 

• Age: 42
• Hometown: Brooklyn
• Currently Resides: Los Angeles
• Keep up with Stacy at:
• www.twitter.com/StacyFrancis (@StacyFrancis)
• www.facebook.com/officialStacyFrancis

Dexter Haygood

• Age: 49
• Hometown: Memphis
• Currently Resides: Chicago
• Keep up with Dexter at:
• www.twitter.com/DexterHaygood (@dexterhaygood)
• www.facebook.com/officialDexterHaygood

Josh Krajcik  

• Age: 30
• Hometown: Wooster, Ohio
• Currently Resides: Columbus, Ohio
• Keep up with Josh at:
• www.twitter.com/theJoshKrajcik (@theJoshKrajcik)
• www.facebook.com/joshkrajcikmusic

The groups that Paula Abdul is mentoring:

The Brewer Boys

Justin Brewer

• Age: 17  
• Hometown: Temecula, Calif.

Nathan Brewer  

• Age: 14  
• Hometown: Temecula, Calif.
• Keep up with the Brewer Boys at:
• www.twitter.com/theBrewerBoys (@theBrewerBoys)
• http://www.facebook.com/thebrewerboysmusic

InTENsity

Nick Dean

• Age: 15  
• Hometown: Rochester

Francesca Duncan

• Age: 17  
• Hometown: Orange Co., N.Y.  
• Resides: Brockport

John Lindahl  

• Age: 15  
• Hometown: Travuco Canyon, Calif.

Emily Michalak 

• Age: 13  
• Hometown: Pine Brook, N.J.

Austin Percario 

• Age: 15  
• Hometown: Warren, N.J.

Arin Ray

• Age: 16  
• Hometown: Cincinnati

Lauren Ashley Redmond 

• Age: 17  
• Hometown: Houston
• Resides: DeSoto, Texas

Ellona Santiago 

• Age: 15  
• Hometown: San Lorenzo, Calif.

Ma'at Bingham Shango 

• Age: 12  
• Hometown: Houston

Emily Wilson  

• Age: 15  
• Hometown: Warren, N.J.
• Keep up with InTENsity at:
• www.twitter.com/its_inTENsity (@its_inTENsity)
• www.facebook.com/itsInTENsity

Lakoda Rayne

Cari Fletcher  

• Age: 17  
• Hometown: Wall Township, N.J.

Dani Knights  

• Age: 22  
• Hometown: Santa Clarita, Calif.

Paige Ogle  

• Age: 18  
• Hometown: Baltimore

Hayley Orrantia

• Age: 17  
• Hometown: Highland Village, Texas
• Keep up with Lakoda Rayne at:
• www.twitter.com/Lakoda_Rayne (@lakoda_rayne)
• www.facebook.com/lakodarayne

The Stereo Hogzz

Kregg Gibson (aka KG)

• Age: 25  
• Hometown: Houston

Jonathan Glenn (aka Jon Glenn)  

• Age: 25  
• Hometown: Houston

George Jenkins III (aka Trae Badd)  

• Age: 25  
• Hometown: Houston

Leeland Stephenson (aka Trace Kennedy)

• Age: 24  
• Hometown: Houston

Justin Williams (aka Just'n)

• Age: 25
• Hometown: Houston
• Keep up with Stereo Hogzz at:
• www.twitter.com/theStereoHogzz (@thestereohogzz)
• www.facebook.com/thestereohogzz