Simon Cowell News

The first season of THE X FACTOR came to a spectacular conclusion tonight as Melanie Amaro was crowned the winner during a sensational live two-hour season finale on FOX. Host Steve Jones revealed that after the votes were cast, Amaro had bested runner-up Josh Krajcik and second runner-up Chris Rene. Amaro, 19, who was mentored by Judge Simon Cowell, emerged as America's choice and capped her coronation on Thursday's finale by singing 'Listen.'

The X Factor is an American television music competition to find new singing talent. The show is produced by creator Simon Cowell's company SYCOtv. It premiered on September 21, 2011 on Fox. Check out photos from a recent press conference below!

On last night's THE X FACTOR on Fox, the pressure was on for the finalists as they each performed two songs one last time for the viewer's votes. As Simon aptly said in the beginning of the show, 'It's going to be the closest final we've ever had.'

On Thursday night's finale of Fox's THE X FACTOR, superstar Leona Lewis will make her American performance debut of "Run". Leona got her big break in 2006 when she won the third season of THE X FACTOR U.K. Her most successful single "Bleeding Love" was released in 2007 and reached No. 1 in over 30 countries. Recently, her cover version of the Snow Patrol song "Run" set a record in the U.K. for the fastest selling download-only release in 2008.

On Wednesday's preshow, MTV News' Jim Cantiello will be interviewing THE X FACTOR host Steve Jones. Hosts Dan Levy and Taryn Southern will be doing interviews with consulting producer/head choreographer Brian Friedman, judges Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid, and Nicole Scherzinger,as well as X Factor vlogger CourtneyPants. Wendy Williams of 'The Wendy Williams Show', will be calling in via Skype to talk all things THE X FACTOR as well.

As first reported on nypost.com, NBC's popular talent competition, AMERICA'S GOT TALENT, will be getting a fourth judge to join the current panel members Sharon Osbourne, Howie Mandel and the recently announced Howard Stern.

At a press conference held yesterday afternoon, the Top 3 finalists and judges revealed details of this week's finale episodes of THE X FACTOR. At the conference, Simon Cowell announced that in addition to Justin Bieber and Leona Lewis performing on the two-hour finale this Thursday, Dec. 22, Pitbull and Ne-Yo are also slated to perform - and our Top 3 contenders, Chris Rene, Josh Krajcik, and Melanie Amaro - will perform a duet with three surprise mega, grade-A, superstars on Wednesday's show.

Controversy is never too far offstage in any Simon Cowell production - manufactured, actual or otherwise - and the debut season of the US edition of his international smash reality singing competition THE X FACTOR on Fox has been overloaded with drama, meltdowns, breakdowns and buckets of tears. Stars have been made and dreams have been broken - par for the course, as always, on a singing show like this. Yet, no one on the show, whether judge or participant - no, not even Paula Abdul, Rachel Crow or the flasher himself - has been met with the irate hate and all-around ire of fans and critics alike quite like new judge Nicole Scherzinger. Sure, Simon cajoles her and criticizes her too much - to much winning effect - amping up the competition amongst the four judges, as is his wont - and, really, that's the whole hook of the show, anyway. The ex-Pussycat Dolls front-woman (remember 'Don't Cha'?), Scherzinger has had middling success in her solo career post-Pussycats in the US, yet she has racked up #1 hits overseas, and, had her last album not been plagued with stateside release issues, perhaps there would be a larger audience more aware of her repertoire and irreproachable talent here on these shores. Alas, many are meeting her for the first time in her new role as an X FACTOR judge - responsible for the most difficult category, no less; the Over 30s - and perhaps that is not the best light to make first impressions under. No matter what her judging abilities are, the girl can clearly sing - and sing well - which is more than can be said of many in similar roles on other singing-centered shows (or even this one). In addition to that, she has shown a remarkable stage presence - particularly in her essaying of the role of Maureen (made famous in the original Broadway cast by WICKED Tony Award winner Idina Menzel) in RENT at the Hollywood Bowl, directed by Neil Patrick Harris - and, even more recently, has displayed her legit side with her stunning performance of the title song from Andrew Lloyd Webber's PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - alongside four famous Phantoms - at the Royal Variety Performance last week for the queen. Just last night, Scherzinger took center stage on the X FACTOR's results show to sing her surprisingly strong new single, 'Pretty' - an episode which also saw the final remaining contestant under her tutelage remaining in the competition, Josh Krajcik, survive another week and make it into the Top 4 - and proceeded to positively set the night alight. Haters can hate, but Scherzinger undoubtedly proved any naysayers wrong insofar as her fierce talent and reason for appearing on the show as a judge is concerned - no question. Post-Pussycat Dolls, Scherzinger seems to be flying high - lest we forget: she also won DANCING WITH THE STARS early last year - and the stages of New York and London seem a perfect place for her to show off her considerable triple-threat abilities in the future, whether near or far. Plus, if she can make it in show business with that last name, you have to at the very least appreciate her striving for authenticity at all times - like it or not. Scherzinger not only sings like an angel, she looks like one, too. She is the whole package and definitely possesses the X factor - and maybe a Y and Z, too.

On last night's episode of THE X FACTOR on Fox, another contestant was eliminated and the three finalists were named. Of all the weeks to go home, the week before the finale is arguably the hardest to be sent packing. In less than a week, one of them will be taking home the $5 million recording contract with Sony Music and a starring role in a Pepsi commercial.

NBC announced today that Howard Stern, American radio personality, television host and author, will serve as the new judge on the top-rated summer alternative series AMERICA'S GOT TALENT produced by FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell's SYCO Television.

According to Deadline.com, Random House Publishing Group's Ballantine Books has announced today that it will be publishing a tell-all biography of American Idol judge Simon Cowell.

Barbara Walters has named the late Steve Jobs as the Most Fascinating Person of the Year on her special BARBARA WALTERS 10 MOST FASCINATING PEOPLE OF 2011 which aired last night on ABC.

BARBARA WALTERS PRESENTS 10 MOST FASCINATING PEOPLE OF 2011 will air as a 90-minute ABC News special highlighting some of the year's most prominent names in entertainment, sports and popular culture, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14 (9:31-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

X Factor judges Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger, Paula Abdul and LA Reid appeared on ABC's JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE and reacted to recent elimination controversies over their hit show on FOX. On last week's show, popular contestant Rachel Crow was elimated from the competition after a deadlocked decision by the judges.

Barbara Walters PRESENTS 10 MOST FASCINATING PEOPLE OF 2011 will air as a 90-minute ABC News special highlighting some of the year's most prominent names in entertainment, sports and popular culture, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14 (9:31-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

On tonight's shocking results show, Rachel Crow, one of Simon Cowell's finalists from the Girls category, was eliminated from THE X FACTOR.

It was a night of dance hits as the Top 5 took to the stage on last night's THE X FACTOR on Fox.

THE X FACTOR invites fans to join THE X FACTOR tonight on thexfactorusa.com for the Pepsi Preshow Live at 7/6C to get the most in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the show.

On last night's double elimination on THE X FACTOR on Fox, both Astro and Drew were eliminated from the competition. According to E!, Simon Cowell was reportedly extremely upset over the decision to eliminate his 'protoge' Drew and refused to comment on the show.

After tonight's double elimination, only five finalists remain in the competition: Melanie Amaro, Marcus Canty, Rachel Crow, Josh Krajcik and Chris Rene. Tune in Wednesday, Dec. 7 (8:00-9:30 PM ET/PT), when the Top Five must sing two songs each in their quest to reach THE X FACTOR grand finale.