X Factor, Singing | featured news

The powerful 19-year-old vocalist from Sunrise, Fla., won the Fox talent competition Thursday over soulful 30-year-old singer Josh Krajcik of Wooster, Ohio. Amaro, who was mentored by judge Simon Cowell and was at one point eliminated from the contest, was awarded the grand prize: a $5 million recording contract and a starring role in a Pepsi commercial. "Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God," Amaro repeated after host Steve Jones announced her as the winner.

Fox admitted to lip syncing on its singing competition "X Factor" after contestant Leroy Bell was heard singing on Thursday's episode before he even held his microphone to his mouth... "For the group ensemble performance, the vocals are pre-recorded to allow acts to concentrate on preparing for their own live competitive performances on Wednesdays -- this is also no different to what other competition shows do for ensemble performances."

After a grueling first night of X Factor Boot Hollywood Camp Week, Night 2 opens with host Steve Jones, who we’ve learned from new “X Factor” photos is very tall, informing us we’re in for more groups of hopefuls who still have to perform for the judges. And, in case we’ve forgotten: the finalists picked tonight will be divided into four groups: boys, girls, groups, and “Over 30s,” and each group will head to the home of one judge, where they will live while the judge mentors them and decides which of them makes it to the live competition.