The X Factor USA Contestants

  • Chris Rene

    Chris Rene is Eliminated

    Full name: Chris Rene
    Age: 28
    Hometown: Santa Cruz, California
    Audition City: Seattle
    Day Job: Trash Collector
    Sounds Like: Melodic Hip-Hop

    The X Factor’s series premiere ended with Chris Rene’s audition, because it was a perfect storm of everything the Factor wants to be. Talented guy? Check; he blew the crowd away with his original song. Compelling backstory? Yep, newly sober. Easy to relate to?...

  • Drew Ryniewicz

    DrewEliminated

    Full name: Drew Ryniewicz
    Age: 14
    Hometown: Chino Valley, Arizona
    Audition City: Seattle
    Day Job: Student
    Sounds Like: Jenny Bieber

    Okay, Drew doesn’t technically sound anything like the Biebs, but her sweetly soulful take on his hit “Baby” made her an instant fan favorite. The stripped-down arrangement, which Drew created herself, showed that this 14-year-old is more than just a nice set of pipes --...

  • Josh Krajcik

    Josh is Eliminated

    Full name: Josh Krajcik
    Age: 30
    Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
    Audition City: Chicago
    Day Job: Burrito Slinger
    Sounds Like: Rock ‘n Soul

    Josh’s mostly unstyled appearance -- along with showing up at the audition with his mom -- had us unsure what to expect from his audition. Would he just be some oddball who thinks he can sing, or would he be a pleasant surprise? Turned out he was a very pleasant surprise,...

  • Melanie Amaro

    Melanie Amaro Wins The X Factor

    Full name: Melanie Amaro
    Age: 18
    Hometown: Sunrise, Florida
    Audition City: Miami
    Day Job: College Freshman
    Sounds Like: Divalicious

    Melanie’s audition may have been the best of the season. Her take on Beyonce’s “Listen” from Dreamgirls was pitch-perfect, like a young Whitney Houston. Her stage presence was compelling, especially for someone who’s only 18 years old. Not only did she completely blow...

  • Tora Woloshin

    Tora Woloshin is Eliminated

    Full name: Tora Woloshin
    Age: 21
    Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
    Audition City: Dallas
    Day Job: College Student
    Sounds Like: Pop-Rock Perfection

    With Tora, it’s not just about the voice -- although the voice is terrific. It’s the platinum Marilyn Monroe ‘do, it’s the tattoos, it’s the dynamic stage presence, it’s the interest in building racecars. Tora became one of the most intriguing auditioners as soon...