"The X Factor" aired its most exciting - and emotional - episode so far on Thursday, as the contestants finally met their mentors (at their swanky estates) and put all they had on display in hopes of making it to the live rounds.
Simon Cowell and "The Girls" were in France, Paula Abdul met "The Groups" in Santa Barbara, Calif., Nicole Scherzinger and "The Over 30s" were filmed in Malibu, Calif., and L.A. Reid met "The Boys" in a posh locale in The Hamptons. And not only did "The X Factor" singers strut their wares in the hopes of winning a slot on their respective mentor's team, but they performed in front of celebrity guest judges - at three of the mentors' homes. Rihanna was with L.A., Enrique Iglesias was at the side of Nicole and Pharrell Williams joined Paula. Simon tried to bring over Mariah Carey, but Hurricane Irene intervened during the filming.Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/x-factor-recap-contenders-perform-mentors-guest-judges-030244336.html