Well, 12 became 10 last week on the X Factor and there are been some clear favorites taking shape. That’s what is great about the LIVE portion of the show - you can fudge your way through the early stages but true colours and more importantly true talent soars when things are live. There really is nowhere to hide. Which makes the 13-year-old talent of Carly Rose all the more incredible. I have to totally agree with LA when he said "I don't believe you're a human because you can't do that at 13". When I think back to what I was doing when I was 13, it certainly wasn't this, what a gift. But for me equally as much of a threat to walk away with the 5 million dollar prize, is Tate Stevens. The country singer already deserving the show’s top prize based on his performances to this point in the show, I love what this is setting up, a Simon vs LA judge showdown. I always thought their contestants would have the edge over the more novice mentoring talents of Demi and Britney but look, we are still a long way from the end, so anything could happen I guess.

Another big story out of LA of late involves - of course - a Kardashian. It seems there’s never a week that goes by when a Kardashian sister is not in the news getting divorced or having babies but now the latest, Kim is "jealous" of her sister Khloe being a part of the X Factor. She "feels like Khloe has become the break out star of the family and she hates it". I don't believe it for a second but at least it takes a little bit of the heat off Khloe's hosting which has not been received as well as the producers over here at hoped. Truth is, it hasn't been the Khloe we see on her E! Channel show, which is kind of why they hired her. Live TV can be a daunting thing for anyone and I think for her 3rd week, she's doing great but she's certainly not adding much value for the viewers, again though early days.

It was Taylor Swifts turn to wow the crowds last week on the show but it was Cowell’s biggest creation, One Direction, that has been the real highlight so far this season. A crazy fact, earlier this year they were honored by the Guinness World Records as the first British band to debut at number one in America with a debut, it really is amazing how big they have become!

I got to meet them recently and it was a trip! They’re helping us out with something for the X Factor NZ, I will post the interview I did with them shortly, so if you're fans of 1D, watch this space.