The audition tour has ended, and for 162 acts, the dream of superstardom is still alive. But now the pressure is about to be intensified to the power of X, because it's time to put the lucky few to the rigors of X Factor BOOT CAMP.

PASADENA
Pasadena Civic Auditorium

Yep. It's back.

Joining those highlighted in the last weeks: Chris Rene's sister Gina (36; SAHM from Santa Cruz, CA).

Next week, the acts will be set a series of challenges that will test their every starmaking or breaking quality. Everything is fair game. Every day, the judges will cut acts until only 32 acts remain: eight from each grouping. Then, the four judges turn into mentors for each group.

Mr. Reid... Ms. Scherzinger... Ms. Abdul... and Mr. Cowell... have entered the building. And with only 100 surviving day one? Heh... Good luck. You're going to need it.

Helping the judges make their decision: vocal coaches Claude Kelly & Savan Kotecha, stylist June Ambrose, and choreographer Brian Friedman. Speaking of... The first challenge... dancing. It already proves to be very exhausting. Some people... aren't even going to bother with it. Ain't that right, Brian Bradley of Brooklyn, New York.

Now that we're done dancing, let's start singing. Siameze Floyd sings "More than a Feeling" (Boston), The Anser sing ... something forgettable. Caitlin Koch sings "Every Time You Go Away" (Paul Young), Drew Ryniewicz sings "Apologize" (OneRepublic)... Brennin Hunt sings "Change the World" (Eric Claption). Brendan O'Hara sings "Price Tag" (Jessie J), Chris Rene has "Sexual Healing" (Marvin Gaye), Melanie Amaro sings "Run to You" (Whitney Houston), Stacy Francis belts "A Song For You" (Donny Hathaway).

At the first cut... The first line through... is GOING FORWARD! Group #2... isn't. The final group... will return tomorrow! So we have 100. Is Chris' sister Gina amongst them? YES!

And after all that, it's party night. Some will party into the night, and some will call it an early night. Who wants to bet that the early sleepers get a jump on their competition?

Day 2 begins at 6... and we're full of stragglers, mainly from the party beforehand. They meet LA at the auditorium. Their next challenge begins right now... with an ensemble round.

Each ensemble will have to perform a song chosen by the judges, anything from Snow Patrol's "Run" to "I'm Every Woman". Each group has five hours to learn and refine their choices. Stakes are high, as the third of the groups are going home today.

The first group: Drew Rynewicz, Caitlin Koch, The Anser, Audrey Turner, Elaine Gibbs, Clayton Senne, and Dexter Haygood. Their song: "Creep" by Radiohead. Dexter has to grow past being James Brown Lite. Audrey is the widow of music legend Ike Turner, who died four years ago. And Dexter singing to 14-year-old Drew... totally not creepy. Emerging favorite: Audrey Turner. Weakest link: Dexter.

Next group: Jazzlyn Little, Melanie Amaro, Heather Gayle, Aaron Surgeon, Arin Ray, Special Guest, and Stacy Francis. Stacy's looking to make up for the extreme note antics of yesterday. Jazzlyn is looking to break out of her shell. Their song, "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" by U2. They exemplify teamwork on the stage.... but Jazzlyn forgot some words. Will that end up costing her?

Dani Knights, Skyelor Anderson, Leroy Bell, Chelsea Musick, Ben Rue, Paige Ogle, and Cari Fletcher are in your next group. Cari received mixed reviews last week. She had a great voice, but she was easily forgettable. They have "Desperado" by the Eagles. Elder statesman Leroy loves it. Skyelor is looking forward to it. Dani wants to sing country as well. Could have a possible battle.

Next group has Chesi Spriggs, Nick Voss, Phillip Lomax, Austin Simmons, Tiah Tolliver, Kelly Warner, and Robert Cruz. They... are left on the cutting room floor. Tease.

Singing "Wishing on a Star" by Jay-Z isTinuke Oyefule, Jennifay Joy Nichols, Lauren Ashley, Reina Williams, and young Brian Bradley. He wants the Jigga parts. Brian has an issue with checking out when he is done. He can't do that. The rest of the group... are better off singing. But Reina (nee Tatiana Williams) is looking to make a name for herself in the game as well. Some people can sing... Brian can rap. Reina... can do BOTH. Jennifay... can do neither. LA gives it up like this... he's TOO YOUNG.

Singing next is Josh Krajcik, Tiger Budbill, Nick Dean, Kompl3te, Andrew Muccitelli, James Kenney, and Thomas McAbee. They get Five for Fighting's "Superman (It's Not Easy)". Tiger is back with something to prove, that he does indeed have the tiger blood... and the Adonis DNA... But he's not the only one who's chasing this as hard as he is. Nick... destroys the chorus. James... tries to revive it. Tiger and Josh also hold their own.

Group mentioned fourth in this write up... is now up. Thank you, Fox. Anyway, Tiah split the panel last week and almost drove Simon to do unspeakable things to Paula and Nicole. She has one more shot at it with "Feelin' Good" by Muse. Phillip mucks it up. Tiah... is singing angry. Judges? Yeah, they're glad she's back.

Rachel Crow, Joshua Maddox, 4Shore, Hayley Orrantia, Illusion Confusion, Caylie Gregorio, De'Quan Allen, and Ellona Santiago. They've been given a song they didn't see coming... "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston. And even the rehearsal is brutal. Rachel is particularly struggling.

Siameze Floyd, Jeremiah Pagan, Song Preservation Society, Cesar de la Rosa, Makenaa & Brock, The Stereo Hoggz, and Emily Michalak. Brock & Makenna will actually act as anchor, and it's a good thing that they're closer now than they've been before. Is there a relationship coming very soon? Makenna... is beginning to warm to the idea. Fancy that. Emily... is getting cold feet. She looks to the group to help her out with getting started. The song... "Run".

The groups continue to perform tomorrow.

To see extras from this episode and a Pepsi Precap of the next episode, visit thexfactorusa.com.