06:21 PM EDT 04/13/2013
The X Factor
 |
Simon Cowell Signs The X Factor's Fifth Harmony
Originally posted 01/17/2013 09:00AM
Fifth Harmony and One Direction have a lot in common.
Both groups auditioned as five individuals before being put together by The X Factor mentors. Both groups went on to place third on their seasons. And, now, both groups have been signed by their X Factor mentor Simon Cowell.
"I knew from the girls' first performance at the judges' homes that we'd done the right thing," Cowell, in an exclusive statement, tells PEOPLE of Fifth Harmony. "The chemistry between the girls both on stage and off is fantastic, and they are incredibly talented."
Fifth Harmony's Ally Brooke, 19, Camila Cabello, 15, Normani Hamilton, 16, Dinah Jane Hansen, 15, and Lauren Jauregui, 16, developed a loyal fan base of "Harmonizers" during the Fox reality show's second season and have now signed a recording deal with Cowell's Syco Music and fellow X Factor mentor L.A. Reid's Epic Records.
 |
X Factor's Rachel Crow Excited to Bring Her Dog on Tour
Originally posted 06/15/2012 05:00PM
Rachel Crow has found the best kind of roadie for her upcoming tour.
The 14-year-old singer didn't win The X Factor's $5 million recording contract last season, but the fan favorite has a new self-titled EP coming out June 26, and she'll be hitting the road with Big Time Rush – and her dog Charlie – next month.
"I'm really excited about taking Charlie on tour!" Crow tells PEOPLE. "I just hope she's well-behaved."
Jason Trawick Films Sweet Video Message for Britney Spears
Originally posted 05/27/2012 08:55AM
It's a "yes" from Jason!
Britney Spears's fiancé Jason Trawick had a sweet, encouraging message for the newly-minted X Factor judge after she filmed her first set of auditions in Austin, Texas.
"Princess, we just completed our first weekend in Austin on X Factor," he says to Spears in a new video message, which he filmed in bed. "Just wanted to say I'm very proud of you and I love you so much. Congratulations."
Trawick signs off the video with a sweet kiss, and says, "Now get back in here so we can go to sleep."
X Factor Champ Melanie Amaro Gets New Puppy
Originally posted 01/18/2012 04:00PM
X Factor winner Melanie Amaro has a lot to look forward in 2012: a new album, her first
Super Bowl ad, and the home she plans to buy.
But the most exciting of milestone of all? Potting training her new puppy!
The singer's 12-week-old Maltese, T.K., is still finding his way to the pee pad. Amaro tells PEOPLE, "He's like, 'No, I'm going to pee over here on this floor.'"
 |
Simon Cowell: Next X Factor Will Be a Bloodbath
Originally posted 12/27/2011 11:00AM
With Melanie Amaro just crowned this season's winner, auditions are already underway for next season's The X Factor – and contestants and viewers should prepare themselves for a few possible changes.
"Can we make the show better? Yes. I will never ever go into anything going forward unless I can believe I can make it better," Simon Cowell, the show's producer and judge, told PEOPLE Thursday after Amaro had won the $5 million recording contract. "Next year will be a bloodbath. We have to come out with something better than the rest, and that's what we aim to do."
 |
Melanie Amaro Will Spend Her X Factor Winnings on a New House – and Chicken!
Originally posted 12/23/2011 09:15AM
A foot massage, a house for her mom – and a lifetime supply of chicken.
With an hour to think about it, Melanie Amaro has already tallied up her dream purchases with the $5 million she earned Thursday night after being named the The X Factor's first winner.
"Life will change a lot," she tells PEOPLE. "The most I have ever had before was $200, if I was lucky."
The college freshman and piano teacher from Sunrise, Fla., plans to buy her mother a new house because, as she deadpans, "The one we live in now sucks."
But the chicken is for her. "I can't live without it," she says. "It's my favorite food.
 |
The X Factor's Josh Krajcik: I Miss My Cat
Originally posted 12/15/2011 04:45PM
The X Factor semifinalist Josh Krajcik has made it far into the competition, and as it winds down, there's one thing he's looking forward to: spending time with his kitty.
"I want to get to my cat," Krajcik told PEOPLE on Wednesday. "My cat is at a babysitter's and has been for the last three months."
Krajcik, who sang the Beatles's "Come Together" and Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," feels so strongly about the feline, a tabby named Maya, that he has written tunes for her.
"She comes running whenever I whistle her theme songs," he said. "She is my biggest fan. I miss her dearly. I know that sounds lame. We are best friends. We are obsessed with each other."
 |
The X Factor's Drew Ryniewicz Has Design Ambitions
Originally posted 12/03/2011 10:45AM
The judges sent Drew Ryniewicz packing when she failed to move them with her "save me" song during The X Factor's double elimination sing-off Thursday night.
But the 14-year-old hasn't given up her dream of eventually making it big in the music biz – or of pursuing a secondary career as a fashion designer.
"I actually really want to have a clothing line," Drew told reporters following her elimination from the competition. "Every singer has something else on the side that they do – whether it be a clothing line [or something else] – everybody has something."
 |
Nicole Scherzinger's Jazzy Night in Hollywood
Originally posted 11/30/2011 05:55AM
Nicole Scherzinger was spotted dancing with the music at the Living Room's weekly jazz night inside the W Hollywood. The X Factor judge had a front row table and grooved in her seat as Brenna Whitaker and her Little Big Band performed. Scherzinger even was spotted recording some of the music on her BlackBerry. And joining her for the night out: Evan Ross. – Jennifer Garcia
 |
Melanie Amaro Reveals Her 'True Self' on X Factor
Originally posted 11/23/2011 07:00PM
With the eyes of the world on her, Melanie Amaro decided she just couldn't hide any longer.
The X Factor contestant, 19, one of the Fox show's front-runners, broke down Tuesday night after revealing her Rihanna-esque Caribbean accent for the first time – and she tells PEOPLE it wasn't planned.
"To be where I am, from where I'm from, here today, is a big, big thing," she said. "Not lots of people come out of the Caribbean to become big stars. I'm so humbled and so gracious and so thankful to be where I am that it just came out. I could not help myself."
Top 5 Most Voted Stories
Top 10 News Categories
The most buzzed about stars this minute!
Treat Yourself! 4 Preview Issues
More On People.com
Got a News Tip?
Send it to our People.com editors!
News Archive
