Ray Mickshaw / FOXThe X Factor tried to make tonight's double elimination compelling, it really did.
But with the indomitable forces that are Carly Rose Sonenclar and Tate Stevens having incredibly strong showings Wednesday, it would have taken an electronic voting breakdown of epic proportions to keep them out of next week's semifinals.
So that left Simon Cowell's remaining groups, Emblem3 and Fifth Harmony; Britney Spears' teen protégé Diamond White, who had a close shave last week; and Demi Lovato's last contestant, CeCe Frey, who, if nothing else, could win an award for most Consistently Criticized.
And, Thursday, it was finally time for CeCe to pack that suitcase—but she accepted her fate stoically and, despite her initial cocky vibe, remained graceful in defeat. Unlike some.
"I'm very proud of everything that I've done on this show," said the 20-year-old. "I'm ready to leave it with this entire platform I've acquired for myself, and I hope that I taught everybody at home that you need to love who you are—because the more you love who you are, the less you're going to need anybody else to."
Demi, rocking leopard spots on her face in support of CeCe following the torrent of "I like you, but" critiques she received last night, choked up while bidding her mentee farewell.
"I didn't have time to react, otherwise I'd probably be bawling my eyes out right now 'cause I've grown so close to you and," Demi sniffled, "I'm just so proud of you."
After Carly Rose, Tate and Emblem3 were ushered to safety, Diamond had to sing for her life again, this time against Fifth Harmony.
The girl group turned in what would have been a fitting swan song, Mariah Carey's "Anytime You Need a Friend," and Diamond, her voice heavy with emotion, sang a less countrified version of Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance."
Simon, of course, voted to save Fifth Harmony, and Britney threw her support behind Diamond. But, despite almost never detecting Fifth Harmony's harmony, L.A. Reid thought it Diamond's time to go, as did Demi.
"After I get off tour I'll be sure to come back here with one of my hit songs and I'll perform for you guys," said the ever confident-sounding Diamond.
So off the 13-year-old goes, into her very bright future.