Tiah Tolliver Lands in the Middle of an ‘X Factor’ Battle Between Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul

From the moment 19-year-old deli clerk Tiah Tolliver stepped on the 'X Factor' stage, Simon Cowell was convinced that she had the 'X Factor.' He saw "steel" in her eyes (not to mention her "come hither," red-painted mouth!) and dug her rendition of 'Impossible' by Shontelle. He was so sure of her potential that he 100 percent pushed her through to the next round, as did L.A. Reid.

The ladies on the judging panel differed mightily. Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger passed, because Tolliver sang out of key too much for their taste, since she wasn't singing to a track to help keep her on key. Her confidence was not enough for them to advance her. Cowell was irate and tried to convince the ladies otherwise, saying, "I've got a real feeling about this girl. She has something in her. She is potentially great." He even "begged" them to reconsider.

Poor Tiah! She was a pawn, stuck in the middle of the bratty back between Simon and Paula! While it made for good TV, it certainly was unfair to Tiah Tolliver.

The judges asked her for one more song, so she sang a capella again and got Scherzinger to change her vote to "yes." Abdul look incensed and got into another fight with Cowell. Children, behave.

Tiah, however, now has the chance to prove Simon Cowell right!

Watch Tiah Tolliver Sing 'It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)' on 'X Factor'