‘The X Factor Australia’ Elimination Recap: Rochelle, Caitlyn in the Bottom 2; Meghan Trainor and Nathaniel Willemsem Take the Stage [VIDEOS]

“The X Factor Australia” elimination night has cut another dream on Monday night. Soul mama Rochelle Pitt and country teen songstress Caitlyn Shadbolt were both thrust into the dreaded bottom two after their less than stellar performances.

Natalie Bassingthwaighte was noticeably absent at the live show, leaving fellow judges Dannii Minogue, Redfoo and Ronan Keating decide on their own which act to send home.

Also guest performers for the night were American singer Meghan Trainor, who brought her super catchy hit “All About That Bass,” and Nathaniel Willemse, X Factor’s very own artist who finished sixth on the 2012 series.

Rochelle, 41, had a recent couple of mediocre weeks. After receiving continuous praises from the judges from her first day, the single mother faltered in her lyrics on Week 5. On Sunday’s live performance, Natalie and Dannii were critical of her rendition of Gossip’s “Heavy Cross,” telling her that it was “too screechy” and “a bit too much.”

18-year-old Caitlyn also didn’t receive unanimous praise with her performance of Thirty Seconds to Mars’ “Closer to the Edge.” Redfoo called it a “horrible” song choice and even claimed that “It’s probably your worst performance.”

The effects of those comments were felt on Monday’s voting results, which saw the two songstresses in the bottom two.

They then sang for their lives at the sing-off. Rochelle was at her element was once more singing Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” while Caitlyn did The Script’s “Before the Worst” justice.

Redfoo and Ronan naturally backed their own acts during the decision, but with Natalie absent, Dannii wasn’t required to vote. Just for curiosity’s sake, though, Dannii gave her two cent, telling the two contestants that their performance on Sunday wasn’t their best. Even their showdown performance didn’t feel right, perhaps they have given up. She refused to choose between Rochelle and Caitlyn.

The judges’ decision came to deadlock with one vote against each acts. Deadlock decision meant presenter Luke Jacobz would turn to the original number of viewers’ votes for the contestants.

And unfortunately for Rochelle, she got the lowest number of votes.

The Top 7, including bottom two survivor Caitlyn, will be back on Sunday for the Judges’ Challenge theme.

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