The X-Factor USA first Winner is...

...Melanie Amaro! She's my bet since the beginning when she sang "Listen" on her audition. She even made an immediate impression on the X Factor judges during that initial audition. The 18-year-old's road to success was not easy. Can you believe that she was cut from the competition during the Judges' Houses portion of the show by mentor Simon Cowell? I was really shocked that she was not chosen. Thankfully, Mr. Cowell realized that he made the biggest mistake and personally went to Melanie's house and asked her to be back on the live show!  Since then, Melanie has sailed straight through the competition and was finally declared the winner during Thursday night's live final, taking home a $5 million recording contract!