The X Factor

Wait, why was there fire surrounding Chris Rene on The X Factor stage last night?

'Cause he's hot, L.A. Reid explained about one of his performers, after Simon Cowell questioned the cheesy nature of placing this finalist amidst the flames.

No matter where you stand on the use of this prop, there's no debate over Rene's talent. The young man seriously brought it on "Superstar" last night, breaking down into a bit of a rap and earning praise across the panel. Nicole Scherzinger has "mad love" for this singer.

But will voters? Watch now:

Chris Rene - Superstar

The X Factor has been renewed for a second season, so allow us to make a suggestion: Can we just fast forward to that second season now? The first season title is wrapped up!

Okay, we exaggerate, but not by much. Once again, Melanie Amaro put on the best performance of the week last night, standing still on center stage and belting out an a capella version of "Desperado" that received nothing but praise from every judge. How good is Amaro?

Even Paula Abdul makes sense when gushing over the singer, saying in this case that her voice is akin to "fine china. Just bring it out for the most special occasions."

Melanie Amaro - Desperado

It hasn't garnered the American Idol-like ratings Simon Cowell had hoped for, but The X Factor has shown steady improvement each week, while featuring such promising acts as Melanie Amaro and Stacy Francis.

As such, FOX picked up the competition for a second season today.

Melanie Amaro - I Have Nothing

“I am absolutely thrilled with the news,” said Cowell. “I have loved making the show and I want to thank FOX, our sponsors and most importantly, the fans for supporting The X Factor.”

Adds Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company:

“The X Factor is a monumental success. It’s won every night it’s been on the air, the talent is phenomenal, the live shows are spectacular and picking it up is a complete no-brainer. Simon and his team have done an incredible job with the show, and I’m absolutely thrilled to bring back The X Factor for another fantastic season."

There are many ways to advance to The X Factor finals.

Josh Krajcik sang his soul out. Brian Bradley rapped around the stage. Marcus Canty, meanwhile, danced up a storm as he covered "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me."

You were "born to be on that stage," Nicole Scherziner told the hopeful, while mentor L.A. Reid says his protege said Marcus made him "proud." Awwww... watch the performance now!

Marcus Canty - Do You Really Want to Hurt Me

Let there be no debate: Josh Krajcik deserves his spot in the final 12 of The X Factor.

This fast food worker, who made headlines following his initial audition for talking about his career of slinging burritos, can likely retire his hairnet and plastic gloves for good. Even if he doesn't go on to win, it's hard to believe Krajcik won't have a future in the music industry.

On last night's live performance show, Josh received some of the highest praise of the night for his cover of "Forever Young," led by Paula Abdul: "Your voice is my favorite voice I've heard in the past decade."

Do we have competition here for Melanie Amaro?

Josh Krajcik - Forever Young

Do Rachel Crow a favor: ignore her outfit in the following video.

Heck, ignore the random dancers flitting about around her, as well as the fact that she appears glued to her raised spot on the stage. None of Simon Cowell's choices for this protege worked well last night.

But Crow still deserves her spot in the final 12 for her personality and her vocals, showing off clear potential with this mash-up of "Baby" by Justin Bieber and "Where Did Our Love Go" by The Supremes. Yes, Simon, she can pull off top 40 and retro, but couldn't you have found another way to prove that?

Rachel Crow Live Performance

Which performance by a young finalist did you like best last night: Crow's, or this one by Brian "Astro" Bradley?

There's a very good chance that a majority of The X Factor viewers have never heard of the Mac Daddy. Or even the Daddy Mac.

But Brian "Astro" Bradley did the members of Kris Kross - a young rapping duo from the early 1990s who produced two chart-topping hits and wore their clothes backward - proud last night, bringing The X Factor crowd to its feet with an original take on "Jump."

Melanie Amaro remains our favorite to take home the title, but Bradley may be our true favorite contestant among all remaining. Just watch the 15-year old rapper go!

Brian Bradley - Jump

"You've just killed everybody," Simon said following this performance, prior to turning to L.A. Reid and saying: "If this kid doesn't make it through to the finals you are literally insane."

Melanie Amaro can be forgiven for a lack of originality.

The X Factor finalist - she advanced to the top 12 on the first-ever live performance show - covered a Whitney Houston classic last night, belting out her take on "I Have Nothing," a song with which any loyal singing competition viewer is familiar.

But Amaro made the track her own with an incredible rendition, leading L.A. Reid to state simply: "We really did save the best for last because, honey, you were unbelievable."

Is there any doubt we're looking at the current favorite?

Melanie Amaro - I Have Nothing

She just goes by her first name now. But, following a slow, restrained version of "What a Feeling," Drew Ryniewicz can go by anything she pleases.

In a few weeks, it might even be the following title: first-ever X Factor champion.

This 14-year old made one of the best impressions on last night's two-and-a-half hour extravaganza, showing off talent and maturity far beyond her age and prompting mentor Simon Cowell to gush: "This is why I wanted to be back on American TV, to find someone like you."

Watch one of the top 12 perform now:

Drew Ryniewicz - What a Feeling

On its first live performance show of the season, all 17 remaining contestants on The X Factor took to the last night.

It was a long, at times painful evening that featured a handful of contenders, but just as many pretenders. It also featured the shortening of Drew Ryniewicz''s name to just Drew because apparently Simon Cowell doesn't have confidence we can pronounce the full thing.

But did Drew make the cut? The top 12 is revealed below...

GIRLS
Melanie Amaro
Rachel Crow
Drew

BOYS
Brian "Astro" Bradley
Marcus Canty
Chris Rene

OVER-30s
LeRoy Bell
Stacy Francis
Josh Krajcik

GROUPS
InTENsity
Lakoda Rayne
The Stereo Hogzz