The X Factor 2012 girl group Fifth Harmony has been signed by mentor and show producer Simon Cowell. Fifth Harmony placed third on The X Factor season 2 but was a strong favorite of Cowell’s throughout the season.

The X Factor USA 2012 winner Tate Stevens is already translating his success on the show into real world rewards. Stevens has been tapped to replace American Idol 2012 winner Phillip Phillips on FOX’s New Year’s Eve Live! special. FOX announced the replacement after Phillips bowed out of the program due to a scheduling conflict.

The X Factor 2012 judge L. A. Reid will not be returning to the show for season three. L. A. Reid, chairman of Epic Records, was the first judge to be hired by producer and fellow judge Simon Cowell in season one of the show. While Reid says he is “honored” to have been part of The X Factor judges panel, he is ready to put his focus back on the business of making great records.

The X Factor season 2 semi-finals are finally here! Only four acts remain to battle it out in the last live performance show before The X Factor 2012 USA finals next week. Still in the running are teen Carly Rose Sonenclar of Team Britney Spears, country singer Tate Stevens of Team L. A. Reid and Team Simon Cowell’s last two group acts, Fifth Harmony and Emblem3. Who will give the performance of a lifetime on The X Factor 2012 season 2 tonight? Watch all the action with us in our live The X Factor recap of the semi-finals!

The X Factor season 2 country crooner Tate Stevens of Team L. A. Reid has been riding high in the pack for weeks. Although he lost the top spot in the voter rankings to Carly Rose Sonenclar of Team Britney Spears last week, it is obvious Tate Steven remains a strong contender to be The X Factor USA winner for season 2. Let’s face it, Americans love cowboys, sweet guys who love their wives and country music. Tate Stevens is the total package to rake in the votes from the non-Tweens and anyone south of the Mason-Dixon Line.

The X Factor season 2 has already given Diamond White more second chances than any of the other contestants this season. Diamond White was actually eliminated by her team coach Britney Spears earlier in the season, which probably boosted her confidence in the competition wonderfully (NOT). Luckily for Diamond White, she was brought back after outraged fans would not shut up about her being cut unfairly. Unfortunately, however, she did not manage to keep those same fans voting enough last week to prevent her from dropping into the bottom two and almost going home. The judges once again gave her another chance though and sent Vino Alan of Team L. A. Reid packing instead.

The X Factor season 2 all girls group Fifth Harmony was created by Simon Cowell from previously eliminated hopefuls early on in the season. Since then, they have had their ups and downs and so far failed to connect solidly with the voters. While they have managed to keep going from week to week, this round might just be the last for Fifth Harmony if they don’t manage to pull something huge in the live performances tonight. If any song might save them from being eliminated, it might just be this one from top 6 live performance show Wednesday night.

The X Factor season 2 breakout star is without a doubt (in my opinion) the young powerhouse vocalist Carly Rose Sonenclar of Team Britney Spears. This amazing girl who is barely a teenager has consistently blown the competition away just about every single week on the show. Honestly, at this point on The X Factor USA, it is really hers to lose. Of course, America does love a cowboy and country boy Tate Stevens is hot on her heels in the number two spot right now. Even so, I personally would be shocked to see Carly Rose Sonenclar lose The X Factor 2012 season 2 to anyone right now.

The X Factor season 2 boy band Emblem3 could end up being judge/coach Simon Cowell’s last, best hope for winning this season. His other group act, Fifth Harmony, has not been doing a great job of impressing the voters the past few weeks. There is a strong chance Fifth Harmony will not make it to the finals. If Simon Cowell is going to take any of his acts to The X Factor USA finale for season 2, it will probably be Emblem3.

The X Factor season 2 contestant in the top 6 who may be most predicted to be leaving this week is CeCe Frey of Team Demi Lovato. Even her fans seemed surprised last week when CeCe Frey not only was not eliminated, but managed to not even be in the bottom two sing-off. Instead, it was Vino Alan of Team L. A. Reid and Paige Thomas of Team Demi who ended up going home. While it seems it would take a miracle to save CeCe Frey from going home on The X Factor USA results show tomorrow night, she has already managed to survive several times before when she seemed certain to be cut.