Fil-Am X Factor contestant survives 'The Four Chair Challenge'

The 17-year-old Fil-Am Ellona Santiago survived the X Factor USA's "The Four Chair Challenge."



This week, the show introduced "The Four Chair Challenge." It replaces the boot camp and the judges' homes phase. The way it works is like the old "Trip To Jerusalem" game. Only the participants this time, have to sing instead of dancing.

Each category (currently made up of a Top 10) gets four seats and each contestant must sing for a seat--being given a seat is the equivalent of moving forward to the live rounds.

The seats are given on a rolling basis, meaning that the first four performers could all be given seats.

However, no seat is guaranteed until all the performers have performed, meaning that a singer who has already earned a seat can be switched out if a better one comes along.

All decisions are made by the mentors—only aided by input from fellow judges.

When 17-year-old Fil-Am Ellona Santiago walked onto the stage, the four seats for her category, The Girls, were already taken. Seated were Bree Randall, Khaya Cohen, Jamie Pineda, and Danie Geimer.

Ellona belted out Zedd's "Clarity" which impressed judges Kelly Rowland, Paulina Rubio, and Simon Cowell.



However, Demi Lovato, the judge in charge of Ellona's category, was having second thoughts about giving her a seat. Demi had already grown attached to Bree, Khaya, Jamie, and Danie for her final four.

She even told Ellona, "I believe that you have such an incredible voice. You really are special. Yet I do feel like something is missing.

"I feel like that star quality isn't there yet."

Simon, who already told Ellona after her performance: "I can't imagine you actually not being in this competition," protested against Demi's comments about Ellona.

It was a tense moment for everyone—Demi, Ellona, the four girls already seated, and the other judges—as some of the audience started to boo, while others chant "pick her!"

Demi looked at her co-judges and admitted, "Oh, my God, I don't know what to do. I really don't know what to do right now."

Ellona made an effort to convince Demi to pick her, "I not only sing, I perform. I'm not gonna let you down. I'm not gonna let you down. I'll give my hundred percent."

Finally, after Kelly told Demi to "trust you gut," the former Camp Rock star decided to pick Ellona for her final four.

Ellona takes over the chair of 24-year-old Mexican singer Jamie Pineda who was sent home. — PEP.ph