Behind the Scenes With Simon Cowell's Right-Hand Woman 2011 HD - 'X Factor': Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger React to Rachel Crow Elimination

More tears flowed on Thursday’sX Factor than any episode prior asRachel Crow, the sassy 13-year-old from Longmont, Colorado, was sent home in what turned out to be a genuine season shocker.It wasn’t the “save me” song that failed her, and Rachel never once visited the bottom two. No, it was America that sent her home, as the lowest vote-getter after Nicole Schrezinger tied up the score and forced a deadlock.

Now, many were quick to blame Nicole for Rachel’s exit, marking the second week in a row when the Pussycat Dolls singer felt the sting of harsh-as-hell criticism, but in speaking to reporters after the show, head judge Simon Cowellemphatically came to her defense.