Melanie Amaro

For all the criticism leveled at the first season of The X Factor - which resulted in the dismissal of Nicole Scherzinger, Paula Abdul and Steve Jones last week - no one took issue with the show's champion.

Melanie Amaro can seriously sing.

And Super Bowl viewers will find out for themselves on Sunday, as the 19-year old teams with Elton John for a 60-second Pepsi commercial. Said the latter: "Pepsi wanted to make me ‘King for a Day’ on Super Bowl Sunday. How could I possibly pass that up?"

What, exactly, is he talking about? Watch the spot now and see for yourself:

Pepsi Super Bowl Commercial (Ft. Melanie Amaro and Elton John)

The future starts now for Melanie Amaro.

Fresh off an X Factor victory that netted her $5 million and a spot in a Pepsi commercial during next month's Super Bowl, the talented artist has officially signed a deal with Epic Records.

Melanie Amaro - Man in the Mirror

"I joined The X Factor to be able to discover undeniable talent such as Melanie," judge L.A. Reid said in a statement. "I am pleased that she is now signed to Epic Records because I believe we have only scratched the surface on uncovering her talent and her inevitable journey to super-stardom."

Elsewhere, all indications are that three of Melanie's main competitors from season one - Josh Krajcik, Chris Rene and Astro - will also sign record deals in the near future. Best of luck to each one!

There may be one thing Josh Krajcik does better than sing: accept defeat.

The X Factor runner-up may have lost to Melanie Amaro last Thursday night, but you'd hardly know it based on the way Krajcik greeted reporters after the show. He was giddy and gracious.

"It's been an amazing process to be a part of, I've met so many incredible people," Josh said. "I feel like the future's bright and everything I've done in my life has led to tonight. It's a turning point in my life and now it starts. Now I'm ready to get to work."

Melanie Amaro accomplished the very difficult on the first season of The X Factor: the front-runner since day one, this talented singer maintained that status for months and went on to win the title last night.

And she still can't believe it.

"I felt as though I was hearing things, to be honest," Amaro told reporters today of when Steve Jones announced her at the winner. "I had to check my ear real quick. It shocked me a lot. It really did."

Melanie, of course, is now $5 million richer, a wild sum for anyone, let alone a young woman who didn't grow up with much.

"Life will change a lot," she says. "The most I have ever had before was $200, if I was lucky."

It all boiled down to talent (Melanie Amaro) versus heart (Josh Krajcik) versus energy (Chris Rene) on the first-ever American finale of The X Factor, with a major recording contract, $5 million and serious bragging rights at stake tonight.

So, who took home the largest grand prize in reality show history?

Following an electrifying set of performances by Justin Bieber, 50 Cent, Leona Lewis, Pitbull and Ne-Yo, host Steve Jones announced the winner as ...

... Melanie Amaro!

Obviously stunned and emotionally overwhelmed just after Jones made the expected announcement, a choked up Amaro said only "GOD IS GOOD!!"

And half a million thank yous.

Simon Cowell said simply, "We came here to find a superstar, and we found a superstar ... congratulations and thank you to all who supported this show."

Chris Rene got the chop first, leaving Melanie and Josh Krajcik in the final two. Before the results were unveiled, the two dueted on David Bowie's "Heroes."

The first season finale then closed out with a performance by Melanie. She sang "Listen," a perfect choice as it was arguably her strongest effort all season.

What do you think? Did Melanie Amaro deserve to win?

Can we hand Melanie Amaro The X Factor title now, please?

The season-long front-runner proved once again last night that she clearly has the best voice in the competition, singing a duet with R. Kelly on "I Believe I Can Fly" and matching the iconic artist note-for-note.

She then went with "Listen" for her second cover and even L.A. Reid had to gush. "That was a $50 million performance," the often-picky judge told Amaro, while Simon Cowell added that Melanie should be the show's first winner.

We agree. Do you?

Melanie Amaro and R. Kelly - I Believe I Can Fly

It's down to three on The X Factor. Melanie Amaro, Josh Krajcik and Chris Rene will sing for the title on tonight's final performance show.

So, who does Simon Cowell favor? It scarcely matters, he tells Us Weekly. Any one of the singers would make worthy champion.

"It will be the greatest final we've ever been in, in terms of talent," Cowell says. "The fact that all three of them are undiscovered before this show, amazing artists, amazing vocalists. One of these artists will be the legacy of this year.  This is $5 million dollar talent.  We are going to put on a show and it will be better next year."

While tonight should be exciting, tomorrow evening will really be the one to watch. Justin Bieber, Pitbull and Ne-Yo will all sing "superstar duets" with the show's finalists.

Which of the finalists do you think will win?

Marcus Canty, as most people predicted, was the victim on last night's X Factor results show, leaving Melanie Amaro, Josh Krajcik and Chris Rene to vie for the title.

Canty had been in bottom two four weeks in a row, and last week’s publicly unpopular elimination brought a lot of pressure - too much for him to last another week.

“The pressure is off," he said in an exit interview after last night. "I don’t have to sing no more save me’s. I don’t got to worry about America shooting me down."

"I ain’t got to worry about Simon giving me heat. I can just relax.”

Marcus Canty Eliminated on The X Factor

The pressure may be off Canty, but for Amaro, Krajcik and Rene, it's just beginning.

Next week's finale means the culmination of their journey, but only one will be crowned champion. Canty played coy when reporters asked him who he thought would win.

“I think Chris [Rene] can do Chris, Melanie [Amaro] does Melanie, and Josh [Krajcik] … who knows who is going to win, man? I’m enjoying myself. It’s a beautiful day.”

Thanks for the input, Marcus. What do you think? Vote in our poll below!

Who will win The X Factor?

It's never easy being the favorite. Just ask the Miami Heat or the Boston Red Sox.

But Melanie Amaro has been considered The X Factor front-runner since her very first audition, never faltering under the pressure, giving stellar performance after stellar performance every week on Fox. That didn't change last night.

The talented crooner belted out two covers - one chosen by America, "Hero," the other on her own, "Feeling Good" - and only cemented her status as the contestant to beat.

"You’re the greatest female that ever graced this stage," L.A. Reid told Melanie. "You are the truth."

Melanie Amaro - Hero

Viewers were treated to a double dose of Melanie Amaro on The X Factor last night.

With the show asking contestants to perform a pair of covers - first, a dance remix; then, a song of their own choosing - the season's favorite took full advantage of her time in the spotlight, mixing up Adele's smash "Someone Like You" and then slowing it down for a version of "When You Believe."

Even LA Reid has to give props for the former, telling Melanie: "The only thing that bothered me about it was that it was really good."

He's just so encouraging, isn't it? Watch both performances now and sound off: How can Amaro not win?!?

Melanie Amaro - Someone Like You