Here we go. Time to start the X Factor judges rumor mill. As if the show wasn’t annoying enough, the post-season judge drama continues. First we learned that L.A. Reid was out and now reports are coming in that Britney Spears has been ditched by Simon Cowell and won’t be a part of X Factor 2013.

That should come as no surprise as I’m pretty sure it’s safe to say the show will be a revolving door of judges every season. And since Britney did almost nothing to earn her $15 million paycheck, her departure really shouldn’t surprise anyone.

“[Simon] wanted crazy Britney, but he got boring Britney,” a source told US Weekly, according to the Los Angeles Times.

There’s been no confirmation on Britney’s departure, but I think it’s probably more than just a rumor. As for Demi Lovato, there have been no rumors yet. But her bickering with Simon and outspoken attitude (and much lower paycheck) might keep her around for another season. As much as these stories kill me to report, we’ll keep you updated.

What did you think of Britney as a judge? Would you miss her as a judge and mentor?

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On Thursday night, X Factor 2012 came to an exciting but predictable conclusion as the Season 3 winner was crowned.

It was all down to Fifth Harmony, Carly Rose Sonenclar and Tate Stevens. So who won X Factor 2012?

Tate Stevens, 37, walked away with the title. 13-year-old Carly Rose Sonenclar finished second and girl group Fifth Harmony came in third place.

At the start of the night, I got a little confused because it looked like we were watching a nightmare version of the MTV Music Award arrivals, but it was really just the X Factor producers trying something new. And by something new, I men a horribly fake and rehearsed red carpet event. The judges and finalists showed up in Escalades and Rolls Royces and were greeted and “interviewed” by Khloe and Mario.

The finalists actually sang on the red carpet (and by sing I mean lip sync terribly) as they made their way inside to the finale stage.

It was probably the worst opening to any TV show (finale or otherwise) in the history of the world. Ever. In the world. Ever. Ever.

The final three each performed a holiday song. Tate sang a song that I’ve already forgotten about. Fifth Harmony sang one of my favorite Christmas tunes “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home). And Carly Rose sang the age-inappropriate “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”

After several performances and judges montages, it’s time for some results. Mario and Khloe call the acts and their mentors to the stage to announce the third place winner. That spot gwent to Fifth Harmony. And the world can rest assured that the show was not staged and that Simon did not hand-pick the winner.

More performances and general irritation follows until it’s time for the final results. Carly and Tate return to the stage with Britney and L.A. and Mario announces that the winner of X Factor 2012 is Tate Stevens. He performs his swan song, cue glitter, the end.

I’m not surprised that Tate won. There was really no suspense since we already knew that he topped the leader board most of the season. For a split second, I thought maybe Fifth Harmony’s strong performances from the night before might have given us a shocker tonight, even if they just landed in second place. But everything turned out just as I and a lot of others expected.

What did you think of the outcome? Who did you want to win X Factor 2012?

Tonight one of three finalists will be named X Factor 2o12 champion before a packed house in Los Angeles.

Will it be Fifth Harmony, Carly Rose Sonenclar or Tate Stevens? What did you decide, America, following last night’s finale performances?

We will soon find out. But first you’ve got two-hours of special performances and guests, including One Direction and Pitbull. Oh, and one of the cheesiest openings in TV history.

The X Factor 2012 Finale Results

• Third Place: Fifth Harmony
• Second Place: Carly Rose Sonenclar
• The X Factor 2012 WINNER: Tate Stevens

There you have it, America. What do you think of the results?

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The X Factor 2012 Top 3 performed for America’s votes one final time Wednesday night and tonight one of those three will be crowned the winner of Season 3.

So who is it going to be? Fifth Harmony (mentored by Simon Cowell), Carly Rose Sonenclar (mentored by Britney Spears) or Tate Stevens (mentored by L.A. Reid)? I think after the night’s performances, it could be anyone’s game. Carly and a few iffy moments, Tate was slow and steady and Fifth Harmony shined. So there could have been a shift in votes.

According to our poll, you guys still think Carly is on top, with Tate coming in second and Fifth Harmony in third.

Aside from the naming of the new winner, the two-hour finale will include multiple performances by all the finalists and guest performers, including One Direction and Pitbull.

Be sure to check back here for live coverage of the X Factor 2012 live finale and a full recap of the show later.

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The X Factor 2012 two-part finale started Wednesday night with the Top 3 taking on three songs each. And everyone is going to have their own opinions, but from what I saw, Fifth Harmony came from behind to win the night.

As I mentioned, each contestant performed three songs. Round one was a song they have already performed (their best of the season, it’s presumed). The second was a duet with a special guest. And the last was just a random song of their choice.

Carly Rose Sonenclar, Feeling Good

Oh, boy, this song again. But since she sang it during her audition, I guess that’s OK. And since it’s her, I’ll definitely let it pass. Her styling was definitely an F, but the performance was great. I sill can’t believe she’s only 13. Her vocals were strong and she command the stage. A

Tate Stevens, Anything Goes

I don’t remember him singing this before, so I’m not sure what that says about the performance or myself. I thought it was very boring and dragged on too long. The vocals were fine, but it’s not a song or performance I want to hear ever again. B

Fifth Harmony, Anything Can Happen

This was the best performance of the season, so it was a smart move to do this song again. I thought it was odd to do the exact same staging, but it was still great. It wasn’t any better than the first time, which either means they didn’t try or there was nothing wrong with it in the first place. At any rate, I thought it was great and the best performance of the first round. A+

Carly Rose Sonenclar, How Do I Live

Her duet with LeAnn Rimes got off to a bit of a rocky start. She seemed pretty unrehearsed. I thought by the time LeAnn came out, things would improve, but that didn’t happen. They were both all over the place. It was a huge mess. F

Tate Stevens, Pontoon

Little Big Town joined Tate for this one. While the song was catchy and fun, it was just kind of there. It was definitely better than Carly and LeAnn. Overall, it was just kind of middle of the road. B+

Fifth Harmony, Give Your Heart A Break

Paired with Demi (which I find odd), and I am so happy that I can say this, but they sounded WAY better than she did. They definitely showed her up. It wasn’t a bad performance. It wasn’t amazing either. It was just OK. B

Carly Rose Sonenclar, Hallelijah

This song? Again? So she did Feeling Good and Hallelujah? She’s got the singing show songs covered. And again, it was just kind of OK. I’m not sure what’s going on with her this week. It’s almost like she’s trying to lose. There were good moments in the song, but how about something upbeat? B+

Tate Stevens, Love You Like There’s No Tomorrow

Another country ballad song. The vocals were great, but again I was bored. I’m sure he’s still going to win this thing, so it doesn’t matter. I just wasn’t that entertained. B

Fifth Harmony, Let It Be

This was a great performance. I feel like the show is doing everything in its power to make sure Fifth Harmony wins tomorrow night. And it might be working. They definitely had the best showing of the night. This was a very solid performance. A

I just feel like Fifth Harmony had the best showing of the night. And as I just mentioned, it almost feels like the producers are trying to push them. From their duet with Demi to the pimp spot (final performance of the night) to a Beatles song to appeal to the older voters. It just all seems like they’re the ones intended to take the win. Oh, and I guess I could also mention they’re Simon’s group, and this is Simon’s show…

What did you think of the Top 3 performances? Who is going to win X Factor 2012?

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Tonight is Part One of the X Factor 2012 finale. The final three will take to the stage to sing for you votes one last time. So by tomorrow night, a Season 3 winner will be crowned and it’s all up to you.

Each of the Top 3 will be performing three songs each.

So who is going to get your votes tonight — Fifth Harmony, Carly Rose Sonenclar or Tate Stevens?

The X Factor 2012 Top 3 Performances

Round One:

• Carly Rose Sonenclar — Feeling Good — 1-855-843-9301 or 1-855-843-9304
• Tate Stevens —  Anything Goes — 1-855-843-9302 or 1-855-843-9305
• Fifth Harmony — Anything Can Happen — 1-855-843-9303 or 1-855-843-9306

Round Two:

• Carly Rose Sonencalr — How Do I Live —  1-855-843-9301 or 1-855-843-9304
• Tate Stevens — Pontoon — 1-855-843-9302 or 1-855-843-9305
• Fifth Harmony — Give Your Heart A Break — 1-855-843-9303 or 1-855-843-9306

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Part One of the X Factor 2012 Finale is tonight and the final three — Fifth Harmony, Carly Rose Sonenclar and Tate Stevens — will sing for America’s votes one final time.

And just like last week, it’s all up to you tonight! Who is going to get your votes? Who are you going to put in that winner’s spot? We’ll find out during the grand finale tomorrow night.

Tonight the Top 3 will sing at least two songs each and one will be with a duet partner. Fifth Harmony will sing with Demi Lovato while Carly is parked with LeAnn Rimes. Tate Stevens will join Little Big Country for his duet song.

Who do you think will win X Factor 2012? Who do you want to win?

Be sure to check back in with us tonight for live coverage of the finale and look for the full recap later on. Then we’ll be back on Thursday night to do it all over again as a new winner is crowned!

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It’s finale week for X Factor 2012! That means by Thursday night, we’ll have a season 2 champion. Will it be Fifth Harmony, Carly Rose Sonenclar or Tate Stevenson?

On Wednesday night, the final three sing for your votes one last time. OK, actually it’s a few last times. Aside from their own solos, the top 3 will also be paired with celebrity guests for duets. And we have those spoilers now!

Fifth Harmony will be paired with judge Demi Lovato. What a strange pairing. Especially since she criticized them much of the season (except for when they actually performed two of her songs). Simon continued to play that game they staged this season to make us think he and Demi don’t like each other.

“Kinda irritating to say, the person we’ve decided to duet with is Demi Lovato,” Simon said during a press conference.

Tate Stevens will perform with country group Little Big Town. He’s not the only one teaming up with a country act. Carly Rose will duet with LeAnn Rimes.

So let’s look at this: Demi, a country group I’ve barely know and LeAnn Rimes. Ouch, X Factor. Is that all you could do? Two barely relevant artists and one of your own employees? Oh well, it’ll still be a pretty sold finale I’m sure.

On Wednesday night, more star-studded performances can be expected and of course so can the crowning of the new winner. Be sure to keep it locked in here for all of your news and coverage of the X Factor 2012 finale.

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Last week on X Factor 2012, Emblem 3 surprisingly said goodbye to the competition, barely missing a spot in the finale. The trio took some time for some parting words, following their elimination.

Well, OK, one of the three hogged the mic and let me just say let’s hope you’re not the spokesperson of the group. I have little to say because he’s totally unquotable. He just rambled on and on and on about nothing. Putting words together that should never be together. Poor guy.

Wesley finally got a chance to speak up, briefly.

“I feel like we sucked all the juice out of it,” Wesley said. “Everything we needed from X Factor we got.” (OK, maybe none of them should speak and should just stick to singing).

I hate to kick a guy (or 3) while they’re down, but this exit interview, when it wasn’t embarrassingly belligerent, was pretty arrogant. I’m kind of glad I never voted for them.

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We have a final 3. The X Factor 2012 Top 4 became the Top 3 Thursday night when America’s votes decided who should move on to next week’s grand finale and who should go home.

In the end, America decided that Tate Stevens, Carly Rose Sonenclar and Fifth Harmony should be in the  X Factor Season 2 Finale. Yes, you read that correctly. Fifth Harmony made it through and Emblem 3 was sent packing.

At the start of the night, the Top 4 started things out with a group performance. Carly Rose Sonenclar starts with the lyrics “tell the world I’m coming home …” and while the Twittersphere thought that was some sort of foreshadowing, that was proven false as she’s not going anywhere this week.

Following the group number we get an annoying recap from the night before. So much filler, so little … wait, so MUCH time.

And after 26 minutes, we finally get to some of the results. Fifth Harmony is safe! What a surprise. Britney Spears’ face said it best:

After that shocking (and hilarious — thanks to Britney) moment, we get a performance by Bridget Mendler. I have no clue who that is, but I might suggest that person is what’s wrong with the world today. Well, at least what’s wrong with the music world today. We have such little expectations for talent. And here I am off-track already. Back to it.

Time for more results. Tate Stevens is safe. So that leaves Carly Rose and Emblem 3.

And more filler. This time Bruno Mars performs.

And it’s time for the final results: Carly Rose is sent to safety and Simon’s Emblem 3 is out of the contest. That means everyone but Demi has an act in the finals.

Who do you think is going to win X Factor 2012? Are you happy about the results or were you rooting for Emblem 3?

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