| Melanie Amaro | |
| |
| Information | |
|---|---|
| Names | Melanie Amaro |
| Age(s) | 21 |
| Hometown | Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
| Category | Girls |
| Mentor | Simon Cowell |
| Elimination Information | |
| Place | 1st Place (Winner) |
Melanie Ann Amaro (born June 26, 1992 in Fort Lauterdale, Florida) is an American pop-R&B singer who won season 1 of The X Factor USA, mentored by Simon Cowell. Amaro was sent along with her two brothers to Tortola, British Virgin Islands to live with her grandparents when she was only three years old. She currently lives in Sunrise, Florida with her family. Amaro was initially not chosen to be part of the Top 16, but Cowell surprised her at her Florida home and revealed that she would be added to the finals to form a Top 17. She was announced as the winner during the final on December 22, 2011.
X Factor Performances[]
| Performance | Theme | Song | Original Artist | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audition | Free Choice | "Listen" | Beyonce | Through to Bootcamp |
| Bootcamp 1 | Judge's Choice | "Run to You" | Whitney Houston | Advanced |
| Bootcamp 2 | Judge's Choice | "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" | U2 | Advanced |
| Bootcamp 3 | Free Choice | Not Aired | Not Aired | Through to Judges' Houses |
| Judges' Houses | Solo | "Will You Be There" | Michael Jackson | Through to Live Shows |
| Week 1 | Judge's Choice | "I Have Nothing" | Whitney Houston | Saved by Simon Cowell |
| Week 2 | Judge's Choice | "Desperado" | Eagles | Safe |
| Week 3 | Songs from Movies | "Man in the Mirror" | Michael Jackson | Safe |
| Week 4 | Rock | "Everybody Hurts" | R.E.M. | Safe |
| Week 5 | Giving Thanks | "The World's Greatest" | R. Kelly | Safe |
| Week 6 | Michael Jackson | "Earth Song" | Michael Jackson | Safe |
| Week 7 | Dance Music Hits | "Someone Like You" | Adele | Safe |
| Week 7 | "Save Me" Songs | "When You Believe" | Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston | Safe |
| Semi Finals | Pepsi Challenge Songs | "Hero" | Mariah Carey | Safe |
| Semi Finals | N/A | "Feeling Good" | Cy Grant | Safe |
| Finals | Celebrity Duets | "I Believe I Can Fly" | R. Kelly | First Place (Winner) |
| Finals | 5 Million Dollar Songs | "Listen" | Beyonce | First Place (Winner) |
| Finale | Christmas Songs | "All I Want For Christmas Is You" | Mariah Carey | First Place (Winner) |
Post X Factor[]
After the show ended, and she signed her record deal, Amaro got to work on her album. She also did her Pepsi commercial, which aired on February 5, 2012 during Super Bowl XVLI. The commercial, which co-starred SIr Elton John and Flavor Flav, featured Amaro's remixed version of the Aretha Franklin classic "Respect". Even though the song was not Amaro's first single, it did peak at number 3 on the Billboard Dance/Club chart. Her first official single, "Don't Fail Me Now", was released on August 1, 2012. Her debut album, Truly, was scheduled to be released in 2012, but due to "Don't Fail Me Now" not charting, the album's release date got pushed back to 2013. As of September 2014, it is believed that the album has been scrapped and will not be released.
Amaro collobarated with singer Rocki Boulis on the song "Girl Code", which is off of Boulis's 2014 EP of the same name.
In 2013, Amaro changed management and has been rebuilding her fanbase by performing at various events. She traveled to Indonesia to perform for RCTI-TV's X-Factor Around The World special along with other international X Factor alumni such as Australia's Samantha Jade. Amaro performed her single "Long Distance" on the show.
On October 4, 2013, Amaro made her Broadway debut in the show You're Never Alone.
Amaro released her next single, "Fuel My Fire", on her 22nd birthday, June 26, 2014. The single was released independently.
She recently posted an Instagram picture showing her in the recording studio working some new material.
Discography[]
Singles:
- "Respect" (2012)
- "Don't Fail Me Now" (2012)
- "Fuel My Fire" (2014)
Trivia[]
- She was eliminated at the judges' houses but Simon felt he made a mistake and, with the support of the other judges, brought her back to the live shows. If he hasn't, she wouldn't have won this competition.
- She's been dating Trace Kennedy, who is a member of The Stereo Hogzz, since 2011.
