The first season of “X Factor” on Fox is barely over, with Melanie Amaro declared the winner last week (12/22), but the show is already taking online auditions for season two.
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.” Amaro is the first to win the US X Factor title, a $5 million recording contract with Sony Music and a Pepsi commercial.
Amaro had bested runner-up Josh Krajcik and second runner-up Chris Rene. Her crowning came amid a plethora of special guest artists performed throughout the broadcast, including Justin Bieber and Stevie Wonder, who were joined onstage by Drew; Leona Lewis; Pitbull and Ne-Yo, who were joined by Marcus Canty; and 50 Cent, who was joined by Astro. In addition, Derek Fisher, Steve Blake and Matt Barnes of the Los Angeles Lakers appeared on the show and X Factor’s Top 12 Finalists reunited for a special performance.
And yes, no surprise here, Fox easily won the Thursday night ratings.
Online auditions for Season Two of X Factor are open now through December 31, 2011 at 11:59 pm PT. Solo artists and vocal groups 12 years old and over have the opportunity to submit their two-minute a cappella audition videos to www.TheXFactorUSA.com. More audition information is to be announced.
The X Factor was created by Syco Television and is produced by Syco Television and FremantleMedia North America. Rob Wade and Siobhan Greene are executive producers for Syco Television. Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Richard Holloway and Andrew Llinares serve as executive producers for FremantleMedia North America.
