'X Factor' Diva Week: Britney smacks down Simon

• Khloe Kardashian Odom joked about growing up with divas
• Simon Cowell's chest hair was noticed on Twitter
• Carly Rose blew everyone away

The X Factor leaderboard was swiped clean, giving the Top 12 a fresh start for Wednesday night for this week's theme: Divas. And the show was full of them, starting with judges L.A. Reid, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato and Simon Cowell.

"I know all about divas, cuz I grew up with a few of them," cracked Khloe Kardashian Odom, sporting a curve-hugging short sparkly dress.

On Twitter, sister Kim Kardashian wrote: "Did @KhloeKardashian just call me & Kourt Diva's???!!! LOL"

"But you all are nice divas," co-host Mario Lopez assured Khloe on air. Later, she said, "Who's the bigger diva, you or I?" Mario immediately caved, "I can't compete with you."

He then explained that the Top 12 are vying for a spot in the Top 10, which means Thursday's show will send two hopefuls home.

Lopez urged viewers to tweet #DivaHOT for great performances and #DivaNOT for those they didn't like.

Right off the bat, Simon Cowell's open white shirt and exposed chest hair got a lot of "#DivaNOT" tweets. So did Demi's thick eyebrows.

While in previous weeks Simon has mostly bickered with Demi, on Wednesday he and Britney got into it, fighting over Beatrice Miller.

Here's how the performances went:

Jennel Garcia, 18. "This means everything to me," said the Demi-mentored Young Adult from Rochester, Mass. She did her diva best with Proud Mary, a tough song to pull off anywhere close to Tina Turner's original. But the judges liked it. "Started this thing out with a bang," said L.A. "Tina would be proud," said Britney. Simon praised her, too. And Demi said she was "unbelievably proud of her. Together we really nailed it!"

Tate Stevens, 37. The country singer from L.A.'s Over 25 group, who was No. 1 on the leaderboard last week, tackled diva Shania Twain's From This Moment On. He spoke of his love for his wife of 15 years and said he had been singing to her as he belted out the song. She watched from backstage. The crowd went wild for it. Britney called it "heartfelt." Demi said, "You're very good." Simon said, "The winner of the show is going to get $5 million. I'd be happy to write you that check."

Diamond White, 13. The teen, mentored by Britney Spears, came in fourth last week. Britney chose Halo by Beyonce as her diva song. Building slowly up to a powerful chorus and showing off her wide vocal range, Diamond commanded the stage. L.A. Reid told her she had "really big shoes to fill. But you nailed it." Demi said, "This week is kind of perfect for you because you are a total diva, in the best sense of the word." Simon said he thinks "we're looking at a future star." Britney told Diamond, "I'm so incredibly proud of you. You just keep getting better."

Beatrice Miller, 13. The teen's been going through struggles at home with her two moms who are out of work, but she sang a soulful version of Cindy Lauper's Time After Time, giving it her special raspy stamp. "You are so cute!" said L.A. Reid, but he didn't think it was a great song choice. "You are so friggin' adorable," said Demi, who liked the song choice. Simon said he thought the song was "boring. It just went on and on and on and on and on ... For some reason, Britney isn't quite getting the right songs for you." Replied Britney with a huff, "Simon, she has more talent in her pinkie than you do in all your contestants put together." The crowd loved it. Britney said Bea was "special" and "amazing."

Lyric 145. Simon's group changed their song at midnight last night to Queen's We Will Rock You. The rapping/singing got the crowd clapping along, but the judges were less enthusiastic. L.A. wondered how it was even a diva song and Simon explained that Freddie Mercury was a diva. L.A. said he thought the group has lost its way. Britney dissed Simon some more, saying, "Simon, I feel like they're a hip-hop group and they should be doing hip-hop tracks." Demi said she "didn't get it." As she was speaking, Queen Da Lyric interrupted her, yelling to a fan in the crowd, "I love you, too!" Simon defended, "I get it and I think people at home will get it."

Arin Ray, 17. Britney chose Crazy For You by Madonna for Arin. He went for a stripped-down version, prompting screams from the audience. But L.A. said it didn't prompt "goose bumps." Demi agreed. She was "honestly, really bored." Simon said, "It looked like you hated it as well. You taking on that song is like asking a cat to take on a tiger. ... I think you could be in trouble tonight." Britney disagreed with everyone, telling him, "You nailed it."

Paige Thomas, 22. The singer lost her mom on Christmas Eve in a car accident, and Paige said her mom is always with her on stage. The Young Adult from Demi's group tackled Last Dance by Donna Summer in a disco explosion of sequins and dancing on stage. L.A. said it was her "best yet." Britney said, "It was the best disco throwback ever." Simon, whose shirt seemed to open more every time the camera cut to him, agreed with L.A. Demi said she "nailed it."

Fifth Harmony. The gaggle of girls wore white and offered up a stirring rendition of Mariah Carey's Hero as white confetti fell on them. L.A. said it "turned into a really great performance." Britney, obviously not one to hold a grudge, said, "I think Simon is doing great with you guys." Demi said she was worried she'd be bored but they "killed it." Simon raved, too, saying, "Maybe there's a chance that five girls with great voices could win this show."

Carly Rose Sonenclar, 13. Britney, calling Carly Rose "a little diva," chose Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On. With dry ice swirling around her, Carly Rose did her best to do justice to the famous Titanic song. And she seemed to go beyond that, as the crowd went wild. When she was done, L.A. said, "It pains me to say this, but we could be looking at the winner." Demi said, "Ugh. You're so good. It doesn't make sense. I feel like Celine Dion is here and she is hiding." Simon said, "You're 13? I don't believe you're a human being!" He cited her control, saying it was "absolutely incredible." Britney said she had "chills" all over her body and called her "spectacular."

Vino Alan, 40. He took on Tina Turner's Let's Stay Together, giving it a lot of soul as he worked the crowd of girls at the foot of the stage (as he loves to do). Britney praised his voice. Demi used the word "bored" again. Simon didn't think it was as good as last week. L.A. said he "sang it so strong." And he said the song was a "great platform" for his voice. After he sang, Khloe flubbed her intro into the commercial so badly that she stopped, smiled and said, "I just stumbled!"

Emblem3: The three guys say they live for their band. They rocked the house with a simple, jaunty, pop version of Alicia Keys' No One. The crowd loved it. L.A. said they have the "perfect vocal blend. ... You're exactly what this show needs." Britney said, "I totally get why the girls are swooned by you. You guys are completely heartthrobs." Demi said she likes watching them because they're happy. Simon said there was "no way" they should have been in seventh place last week and predicts they'll be at the top this week.

Cece Frey, 21. After being in the bottom two last week, Cece was freaked, crying and missing her family back in Decatur, Ill. Demi said she wanted to see her get "emotional" on stage. She stood still on stage in a long gown and flowing hair and sang All By Myself with a wind fan blowing her long blond locks back. L.A. said she sang "really well," but said he didn't like her dress. Demi said she was "better than Vino." L.A. said, "My guess is she'll be at the bottom again." Said Britney, "Sorry, I just don't get it." Simon said he liked her but said the song was "very cabaret." He said she and Demi are just not "getting it right." Demi defended Cece, saying she thought her mentee "nailed it."

On Thursday, Taylor Swift performs and two acts will go home. Likely candidates: Arin Ray, Vino Alan, Cece Frey. Who should get the boot?