Simon Cowell recruited Mel B and Emma Bunton to help him whittle his girls down to three ahead of the Live Shows.
Cowell, 56, flew his contestants to Malibu for Judges’ Houses where he chose Emily Middlemas, Gifty Louise and wildcard Samantha Lavery.
Mel B – who was a judge on the 2014 series – said: “This is your chance to really impress, not just Simon but us two. We know what it takes.”
Bunton also had some words of advice: “Don’t be nervous in front of us and just have fun with it.”
Middlemas sang Elle King’s X’s and Oh’s. She was praised for “not hiding behind the guitar” and for not having a downside.
Cowell said putting Louise through was a “relatively easy decision” after her version of Kungs' This Girl.
Lavery looked close to losing out again as Cowell encouraged her to take off her “mask” before coming back to sing Ed Sheeran’s Make it Rain later in the evening.
Cowell praised her for being "brave" and took her through after "really getting to know her".
The X Factor 2016: judges and presenters
But it was bad news for Soheila Clifford, 18, who sang Christina Aguilera’s Genie In A Bottle and made Cowell feel “awkward” because she didn’t take her eyes off of him.
Olivia Garcia also failed to impress with her cover of Britney Spears' Sometimes, but Cowell encouraged her to not "walk away" because she has a "career ahead of her".
Kayleigh Marie Morgan was overcome with emotion and needed a hug from Mel B before she attempted Jessie J’s Who You Are, only to make Mel B cry at the end. But Cowell decided she wasn't "quite ready" for the competition.
Caitlyn Vanbeck - who forgot her lyrics as she sang George Michael’s Praying For Time - was also sent home after Cowell chose to save Middlemas. He told her: "You're close and your voice is extraordinary and I really hate hate saying this but it's a no. I don't want you to think you did bad because you didn't."
Emily Middlemas, Gifty Louise and Samantha Lavery will join 5 AM, Ottavio and Bradley and The Brooks from Louis Walsh’s category.
The X Factor is on ITV tomorrow at 7:30pm.
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