Judges Simon Cowell and Demi Lovato have kept their promise ‘to expect the unexpected” on Season 3 of “The X-Factor USA,” and the Fox show indeed introduced new twist that would blow the minds of America - - the new formula called, “four chairs.”

It will be recalled that before “The X-Factor USA” premiered in September 2013, SiCo and Demi - - as well as the show’s producers - - vowed to take America by storm with changes that will be introduced on third series.

Having three female judges on the panel is one big change indeed. In addition to Demi, who was asked by SiCo to come on board for the second season, TXFU enjoined singers Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio to be part of the show.

This is one big change indeed as the new formula has never been tried on any reality show on American television.

But what could be a bigger twist on the show’s third series is having “four chair challenge.” And on fourth week of “The X-Factor USA,” the show shocked America and its hopefuls with the new twist. Gone are the days staying on boot camp. This season means contestants are set to “sit” on four chairs and hopefully, they stay seated until the finale for a shot at million dollar prizes and jumping start his (or her) singing career.

Now the big question is: What is Four Chair Challenge and how will TXFU hopefuls compete to Top Final 3.

In the “Four chair challenge,” TXFU hopefuls were grouped into four categories - - girls, boys, over 25 and groups.

Each of these categories has mentor - -and the TXFU judges have been assigned each. Demi for the Girls; Paulina has the Boys, Kelly has Over 25s and SiCo has Groups.

What could be a bigger shock in this week’s episode is how 218 contestants were reduced to Top 40 using the “four chair challenge.”

The contestants, all 218 of them, were grouped to four categories and using the four chair challenge they were. Each mentor (TXFU judge) will handle ten contestants per group.

The contestants sing their way to each chairs, representing each category. But they were advised not to be too comfortable “sitting” on the chair as they could be switched or finally sent home.

To explain the mechanics of the “four chair challenge,” watch Mario Lopez on the video below.

SiCo was the first to defend the new twist.

"It's very different than anything we've done. This is some of the most exciting TV we've made on one of these shows. It is dramatic, it is controversial, but we all love that,” Simon says, according to RTE.ie.

"People went nuts, half loving it and half hating it."

Find out the Top 40 to sing on live shows on “The X-Factor USA,” stay tuned for IBTimes-AU continuous coverage.

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