'The X Factor' Changes Revealed: No More Male-Female Separation, 'Overs' Age Lowered

Every field of FOX's "The X Factor" but one faces a revamp this fall - in one category's instance, owing to one judge's unripened age.

Examiner.com contributor Carla Hay reported Sunday that producers have stricken sex separation from every solo and group category. As a result, the Boys Age 12-29 and Girls Age 12-29 solo groupings have been eliminated entirely. Since newly minted judge Demi Lovato is still under 20 years old, the "Overs" category minimum age has been lowered from 30 to 25 years of age.

Instead, solo performers have now been grouped into three categories keeping contestants within a smaller, arguably more "fair" margin of ages and experience. The assigned mentors to the two lowest age groupings are also conspicuously age-appropriate too. Lovato will shepherd the the age 12-16 solo singers. Fellow "X Factor" newcomer Britney Spears, 30, will handle soloists age 17-24. Antonio "L.A." Reid will mentor solo contestants age 25 and over. Finally, Simon Cowell handle herding of the groups, reportedly made up this year in the "judges' houses" primarily of members who auditioned initially as soloists.

Present sensations One Direction got their start on U.K.'s "X Factor" in this manner, as did 2011 girl-group U.K. winners Little Mix. The 2011 premiere U.S. season featured inTENsity's coeds-under-18 members and country-pop gropu Lakoda Rayne breaking into the Top 12 after aligning much the same way.

According to early accounts, this season's batch is boasting largely pop and R&B performers, with little hip-hop/rap, rock or country representation. With live episodes from Los Angeles beginning in October, the Top 25 acts will be revealed throughout September and October. Winners receive a $5-million prize and a Sony recording contract.

There's little word yet about this season's slated live guest performances, but 2011 U.S. winner Melanie Amaro, second-place contestant Josh Krajcik, third-place finisher Chris Rene, fourth-place performer Marcus Canty and somewhat-controversial young rapper Astro (seventh-place finisher last season) are expected to show up, perform and pimp upcoming solo albums. In addition, expect drop-ins from 2010 U.K. third-place finishers One Direction, as well as fellow U.K. alumni Cher Lloyd and Olly Mur.