With only eight contenders left in the competition, it is only appropriate that this week’s theme is “songs that hit number one on the music charts.” The X-Factor also gave audiences a special treat by premiering the new music video for Will.I.Am and Britney Spears’ new song “Scream and Shout,” which had Britney Spears speaking in a British accent for some reason. Everyone stepped it up this week, even CeCe Frey (above) with her version of “Lady Marmalade.”

Here are the top three performances you definitely need to see:

Carly Rose Sonenclar – “Rolling In The Deep” by Adele

How adorable was her oversized fedora? I felt the hat really matched the old-school, bluesy sound of her unique version. Fashion aside, Carly Rose champed the tempo of this usually fast-paced and melodic song and slowed it down for us in the beginning. While I don’t think she sang the song as powerfully as she has been singing in recent weeks, she still kept her fierce stage persona and made the song her own. LA agreed with me: “I didn’t think it was your very best,” he said. “But even your second best is better than everyone’s first best.” Simon joked and said while she can definitely sell records, she’s not human and may have to be disqualified because aliens are not allowed to enter the competition.

Paige Thomas – “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley

As the weeks have gone by, her mediocre performances made me give up on Paige, and I felt her passing every week was a fluke. But this performance showed that she really has potential. While most people think “Rick Rolled!” when they hear “Never Gonna Give You Up,” I don’t think that thought stuck in anyone’s mind as she turned the song into a haunting and slow rendition that was so melodic I could totally see it on someone’s heartbreak playlist. She also seemed a lot more confident and sexy this week as she swayed her hips and moved across the stage (Love it!). Even LA Reid, who has been harsh on her the past few weeks, tweeted: “Finally, @PaigeAva just turned a page in this competition”

Tate Stevens – “Somebody to Love” by Keith Urban Read more…

Paige Thomas always wanted to be a singer. When she was eight years old she performed a Spice Girls song at a beauty pageant, and ever since then, she knew singing was what she wanted to do. Although she began pursuing a nursing degree to provide for her three-year old daughter Jade, she never gave up on her dream.

After a teary audition where she sang Mary J. Blige’s “I’m Goin’ Down,” Paige has continued to impress the audience and judges, including her mentor Demi Lovato. Now, she’s ready to show everyone that she is not “Ri Ri 2.0.” She is Paige Thomas and she is going up.

Where are you right now? I’m in California.

Where would you be right now if you weren’t on X-Factor?  I would probably be back home in San Antonio in school, or with my daughter.

On being compared to Rihanna: It’s nice. She is beautiful and she is one of the biggest stars right now. It’s nice to be compared to someone so big. But I’m ready to break out from that: my name is Paige Thomas and I have something different from her. I have a few surprises in store for everyone.

Song you can perform 100 times? “Paradise” by Coldplay. It has a lot of meaning — it’s still got a pop vibe in it, but you can hear the emotional attachment.

Most nerve-racking moment? Honestly, it was if I made it to the live shows. The anticipation and everything I’d gone through on my journey had built up inside me.