Emotional: The first from the Top 12 Contestants to leave The X Factor were InTENsity.

After The X Factor‘s top 12 contestants performed Wednesday (02.11.11) for the first time that votes were counted, the results were announced Thursday night, and the first finalist was sent home.

The X Factor host Steve Jones brought all top 12 contestants out on stage with their mentors. Simon Cowell stood with Rachel Crow, Melanie Amaro and Drew. Paula Abdul wrangled groups Lakoda Rayne, The Stereo Hogzz and InTENsity, Nicole Scherzinger accompanied over 30s LeRoy Bell, Josh Krajcik and Stacy Francis, and L.A. Reid supported boys Chris Rene, Marcus Canty and Astro.

And then Jones announced 10 acts, in no particular order, who were voted through to next week. The remaining two acts, he said, earned the least amount of votes and would have to sing for the judges, who would ultimately decide which one leaves The X Factor.

Paula’s groups Stereo Hoggz and InTENsity had to sing for their lives. The Hogzz tackled Emotions by the Bee Gees (and Destiny’s Child), while the 10-member group performed Kelly Clarkson‘s My Life Would Suck Without You.

Simon voted to send home Stereo Hogzz, who he said were the “weakest of the night,” though he had nothing but praise for them earlier in the week. Luckily, the R&B boy band got support from Paula, Nicole and L.A., so they will compete again next week. Several of the youngsters in InTENsity cried openly when they realized they have to leave The X Factor.

11 more contestants left: The X Factor Judges L.A. Reid, Nicole Scherzinger, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell.