The X Factor: Is Paula Abdul Still in the Game?

From left: The X Factor judges L.A. Reid, Nicole Scherzinger, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell

Ray Mickshaw/FOX

It’s game over for another contestant on The X Factor.

The top 10 – including Paula Abdul’s only remaining group, Lakoda Rayne – faced another elimination show on Thursday, after performing songs for rock week the night before.

Paula is the only mentor-judge to lose contestants since the show started counting votes. First, she said goodbye to the youngsters of InTENsity, then the guys of R&B group Stereo Hogzz were eliminated.

So is Paula done? Or did another judge lose their first protégé? Keep reading to find out.

Lakoda Rayne was deemed safe – and will work with their mentor again for next week’s performance show. “I told you so,” Paula said to Simon Cowell.

Nicole Scherzinger lost an act when single mom Stacy Francis was sent home.

She and hip-hop wonder kid Astro, 15, received the least amount of votes. Both had to perform for the judges, who made the final decision.

Stacy, 42, sang “Amazing Grace.” When Astro came out on stage he said he didn’t want to perform but he did, eventually, rap to “Never Can Say Goodbye.”

At decision time, L.A. voted to send Stacy home, despite telling Astro he acted “like a quitter.” Nicole declared her admiration for Stacy and stood by her, voting to send Astro home; and Paula voted with L.A., to eliminate Stacy.

Simon’s turn: “I don’t like your attitude right now,” he told Astro. “You are showing disrespect to your mum, you’re showing disrespect to the audience at home.”

“I don’t want to perform for people who don’t want me here,” Astro said, igniting boos from the audience.

In the end, Simon said, “I really don’t want to do this,” but voted to keep Astro “based on who I believe has got the best chance of winning.”

Stacy looked heartbroken. “I want to take a serious moment to thanks the judges,” she said on the verge of tears. “I had an amazing journey … I can’t believe I’m going home but somebody has to go home.”