‘The X Factor’ Recap: Welcome to the Top 12!

The first cut is the deepest. And so is the second, third, fourth and fifth!

Tuesday night on FOX's "The X Factor," it was time to cut the Top 17 finalists down to 12. And for the show's mentors, there was no one to hide behind.

That's because Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid and Nicole Scherzinger each had the sole burden of giving gave the dire news to the unlucky contestants in their individual categories.

For some, it was easier than others.

First up, we got to see another performance from each of the contenders before that category's mentor was put in the hot seat to do an instant elimination.

In the Boys category, L.A. Reid had an especially tough decision to make. In the end he sent home the Sinatra-crooning Phillip Lomax. This after he saddled him with a Monkees song, which Cowell ripped as a really bad song choice. We agree, but Lomax was only doing what his mentor told him to do!

Paula Abdul made a wise decision with her Group Act elimination. In what could be construed as her way of hurting as few feelings as possible, she played it safe and gingerly sent home the only team of two, The Brewer Boys. Yes, she played it safe. Because can you imagine the number of tears that would have flowed if she had sent InTENsity home?

Next up, Nicole Scherzinger's Over-30 category cut culminated in the ousting of the James Brown--Mick Jagger wannabe, Dexter Haygood.

But it was Simon Cowell who had the biggest burden on his shoulders. He had to break the news to two contestants in his Girls category. That meant the end of the road for Simone Battle and Tiah Tolliver.

With this week's round of live cuts complete, here are the "X Factor" Top 12 Contestants:

The Boys (Mentor: L.A. Reid)

Brian "Astro" Bradley

Marcus Canty

Chris Rene

The Groups (Mentor: Paula Abdul)

InTENsity

Lakoda Rayne

The Stereo Hogzz

The Over 30's (Mentor: Nicole Scherzinger)

Leroy Bell

Josh Krajcik

Stacy Francis

The Girls (Mentor: Simon Cowell)

Rachel Crow

Drew Ryniewicz

Melanie Amaro

"The X Factor" airs next Tuesday night at 8:00 pm ET on FOX.