Simon Cowell: X Factor Finalists Are "5 Million Dollar Talent"

Entertainment December 20, 2011 AT 6:51PM By Rebecca Macatee

Credit: Ray Mickshaw/FOX via Getty Images

The clock is ticking for Josh Krajcik, Melanie Amaro and Chris Rene!

The first of two X Factor finale shows airs Wednesday night on FOX, and on Thursday, one contestant will walk away with a $5 million prize.

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"It will be the greatest final we've ever been in, in terms of talent. The fact that all three of them are undiscovered before this show, amazing artists, amazing vocalists," Simon Cowell told Us Weekly Monday. "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."

Admittedly, Cowell, 52, was "too cocky" during the talent show's first season in the United States. "But I had come off the back of a massive finale in the U.K. I had the adrenaline, and it took a bit longer than I thought."

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L.A. Reid told reporters all three finalists are "amazingly talented and unique in their own right. Each one of them has a very distinct advantage and I couldn't be more proud. They represent us well. They are very modern... I just love their charisma."

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Justin Bieber, Pitbull and Ne-Yo are scheduled to perform on Thursday's finale in a series of "superstar duets" with the show's finalists.

Tell Us: Who do you want to win X Factor?

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December 22, 2011 - 9:27am Marvin Steinbeck
Josh!
December 21, 2011 - 9:22pm Leo Metayer
Melanie you are the winner cause you are nothing but The Best
December 21, 2011 - 8:51pm Fatima Soares
Josh is the best! The number 1! Nobody else has his talent and versatility. He is the only artist among these finalists. The deserves to win, but unfortunately I believe Melanie wins. Just because her mentor is Simon. I hope, like Adam Lambert, Josh can shine and reach the top. I do not believe Melanie goes on for long time. She has beautiful voice, but that is it... nothing else. She tried to call the Spanish community because of her heritage. However, as soon as she reaches the top, which I do not believe, she will forget all her peers easily. By the way, Josh does have this kind of personality. He is authentic. This you call a real star!! I cannot wait for his CD!!
December 21, 2011 - 8:13pm Jerica Gerena
Chris Rene!!!!!!!!!!
December 21, 2011 - 2:21pm Erin Dale
Chris Rene for the WIN!!!
December 21, 2011 - 1:52pm Greg Martin
Chris Rene will win. He exemplifies the human spirit that is within us all. That counts for something, especially in a competition called the X Factor. In his song Where Do We Go From Here, Chris asks...Maybe we can take our chances, or maybe we can see whatâ??s on your mind. I wonder if we look inside our hearts exactly what weâ??d find. Maybe we could take alotta pain awayâ?¦maybe we could heal the world today. His words are...Simple. Beautiful. How to heal your own heart. That is Chris Rene's message. We've watched him heal in front of us from his first audition "Young Homie" which has over ten million views to this gem of a song. His transformation has been remarkable. Our ability to heal by opening up is so obvious yet so elusive. Chris makes it accessible to almost everyone. In those moments where you are carried away by his song, you heal too. People can feel it, experience it, and that is what they love about him. It is the best that we are. I'm voting for Chris. His words can help heal the world.
December 21, 2011 - 1:12pm Heather Chesna
CHRIS!!!
December 21, 2011 - 1:01pm Janet Bowie
CHRIIIIIIIIIIS RENEEEEEE writes his own songs AND plays the guitar and piano! The other two do NOT. CHRIS SHOULD WIN !
December 21, 2011 - 1:00pm Janet Bowie
CHRIS !!!
December 21, 2011 - 1:00pm Janet Bowie
CHRIS RENE !!!
December 21, 2011 - 1:00pm Janet Bowie
CHRIS !!!
December 21, 2011 - 1:00pm Janet Bowie
CHRIS !!!
December 21, 2011 - 12:59pm Janet Bowie
CHRIIIIIIIIIS RENEEEEEEE writes his own songs AND plays the guitar and piano! The other two, don't. CHRIS SHOULD WIN !!! X O
December 21, 2011 - 11:55am Lydia Zara
CHRIS RENE !!!!!!!!
December 21, 2011 - 11:03am Robin Moses Elliott
MELANIE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 21, 2011 - 10:20am Cynthia Cita Acosta
Melanie...all the way
December 21, 2011 - 4:20am Barbara Redley Cook
Melanie Amaro all the way,when she sings it goes into the soul, the other two are not even close.
December 21, 2011 - 3:32am Michele Murray
Josh Krajick!!!! He's awesome!!! or Melanie Amaro, she has the best voice ...but I've loved Josh's style & he has always sounded great! I'll be glad if either of these two wins. But personally, I don't think anybody is worth $5 million, that's a lot ... they should split it between the top 3 IMO. I like Chris Rene, but he doesn't have that great of a voice (and he's always going "uh" all the time, every song)
December 21, 2011 - 2:27am Kristy Martin
Chris Rene peeps, of course! He has the social media fan base wrapped up. LOVE HIM!!!!
December 21, 2011 - 1:40am cwdegruy
Chris Rene" from the beginning!!!!