Surprise Twist Keeps Cari Fletcher On X Factor

Cari Fletcher, officially cut from Simon Cowell’s X Factor talent show Thursday, was called back to the stage after missing the latest cut to the top 32 performers.

Fletcher, a senior, was then told by Cowell that she, along with three other women solo singers, were now part of a group and would continue in the competition.

“If you would have come in as a group, I think you would have blown away the competition,’’ Cowell said. “But you didn’t come in as a group. You are now.’’

Minutes before, Fletcher was among 32 singers cut from the competition after the latest round. It appeared Fletcher's time on the show had run out.

Now, she’s one of 32 acts left from thousands who tried out for the national competition, along the way to a grand prize of a $5 million recording contract.

Fletcher, now part of a female group, will be mentored by Paula Abdul at her home in Los Angeles.

"Ever since I was little I put on little shows for my parents,'' Fletcher said in a pre-performance interview. "I've always dreamed that one day it wouldn't be just my parents, but millions of people.''

Fletcher got to Thursday's televised round after being selected to continue to the top 64 singers from Wednesday's performance.