Intensity, the American pop group fronted by 14-year-old singer Ellona Santiago, were eliminated from The X Factor USA on Thursday (3rd November 2011), despite the best efforts of head judge Simon Cowell to keep them in the competition, reports MTV News.

All in all, it was a tough night for Paula Abdul, who saw two of her groups receive the lowest amount of votes. In the sing off, Intensity were pitted against Stereo Hogzz, with the latter coming out on top after a stirring rendition of SAMANTHA SANG's 1977 hit 'Emotion'. Intensity opted for Kelly Clarkson's 'My Life Would Suck Without You', but it wasn't enough to see them through to next week's show, with their lone vote coming from Simon Cowell in a 3-1 majority decision. Cowell's vote came as a surprise, given he had told Stereo Hoggz just 24 hours before, "I don't think there's a band in the world right now who are as good as you". Intensity were visibly upset with the decision, with no one from the group able to comment on their elimination - host Steve Jones described them as "inconsolable".

Young singer Drew Ryniewicz is still the bookies favourite to win the first series of X Factor USA - her rendition of Nelly's 'Just a Dream' wowed the judges on Wednesday's show.