The X Factor Reveals Top 12

TV Watch

The X Factor

By Aaron Parsley

11/01/2012 at 10:20 PM EDT

From left: Britney Spears, Simon Cowell, Demi Lovato and L.A. Reid

Nino Munoz/FOX

After performing live for the first time on Wednesday, four of The X Factor's top 16 were eliminated by the celebrity mentors who prepared them for their big night.

With new hosts Khlo Kardashian Odom and Mario Lopez at the helm once again Thursday, each of the four judges Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid had to pick two contestants to put into the top 12 and two to sing for survival.

Keep reading for all the results ...

Young adults team leader Demi went first, saving Jennel Garcia and Paige Thomas. CeCe Frey overcame what Britney called a Ke$ha-inspired "identity crisis" for her last-chance performance of "Out Here On My Own." It was enough for Demi to keep her and send home Willie Jones, who sang "You Don't Know Me."

L.A.'s over 25 contestants were next and the music exec saved Vino Alan and Tate Stevens right away. Before David Correy and Jason Brock sang, L.A. told Brock of his song choice the night before, "I think I failed you because you can sing much better than that." After singing Whitney Houston's "One Moment in Time," Brock will get another chance to perform.

"They're like my children," Britney said of her young charges at the start of the two-hour show, "so it's going to be really hard to choose which of my children go home."

From the teens, Britney saved Beatrice Miller and Carly Rose Sonenclar, leaving Arin Ray and Diamond White to sing for survival.

"I wouldn't want to be in Britney's position," Simon said after Arin sang "I Look to You" and Diamond performed "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word."

In the end, Britney saved Arin and sent Diamond home.

"I'm happy I made it this far and I'm going to keep smiling," Diamond said. "I still love you Britney!"

Finally, it was time for Simon to cut one of his groups. "I loved all four of them genuinely loved all four of them," he said. "Even up until five minutes ago I haven't made my mind up."

Surfer boys Emblem3 and hip-hop group Lyric 145 were decl! ared safe! right away.

Then, Sister C performed Miley Cyrus's "When I Look at You" and 1432, formerly known as LYLAS, sang "Skyscraper" by Demi Lovato.

"It would be a mistake" to send home the sisters, Demi said, but after 1432 performed her song, she said, "You did better than the original singer."

"I can make an argument for both of these groups," Simon said, delaying his decision, adding that it may be a surprise and it might make him unpopular. Finally, he said he was going to send Sister C home and keep 1432.

But in a final bit of news, The X Factor boss said he was going to ask the public to pick a new name for the girl group. Submit your suggestions on the show's web site.