It’s been less than two weeks since Tate Stevens was crowned The X Factor winner and already his career is on the rise! The 37-year-old country singer is performing on NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE! and HollywoodLife.com has ALL the EXCLUSIVE details on why he was chosen to kick off 2013!

Even though the show just finished its second season, there’s a reason why Tate is performing tonight, Dec. 31, and last year’s winner, Melanie Amaro, didn’t.

“Melanie wanted to go home and be with her family after the show and do the holiday thing,” a source tells us EXCLUSIVELY. “Tate is 37-years-old and his dreams are coming true, so he wants to do everything to get the life he and his family wants. His family is completely on board and with him every step of the way. Tate is doing everything to become a star.”

HollywoodLife.com was there when Tate won the contest and he told us how happy he was to represent the country community!

“It’s very important. The X Factor hasn’t had a country artist, this is only season 2, but last year they didn’t have one. I think it’s big for the X Factor and I think it’s big for country music to get involved with this. I’m just happy to be the vessel that got it done,” he said.

Tate will be joined by Lifehouse and Carmen Electra, where he will perform on NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE! airing Monday, Dec. 31 (11:00 PM-12:30 AM ET live; CT/MT/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

We can’t wait to watch him rock the stage!

So HollywoodLifers, will you be watching Tate perform during the New Year’s Eve celebration? Sound off in your comments below!

Reporting by Russ Weakland

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2. Simon Cowell: Carly Rose Sonenclar Will Win ‘The X Factor’
3. Simon Cowell & Carmen Electra’s Sexy PDA Revealed

In today’s industry, it takes more than a $5 million voice to be a star. Melanie Amaro had the chops to win The X Factor, but now her record label wants her to have a rock-on body to pair with her rock-on voice. Despite being forced into shape by music executive L.A. Reid, Melanie seems to be making process in reshaping her image.

“It’s still definitely in the beginning stages as she has lost only about six pounds,” a source close to Melanie tells HollywoodLife.com. ”The ultimate goal is to completely lose up to 30 pounds. They want her to look like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood when they were at their bests, if not better.”

The source says Reid’s goal is to have her appear on talk shows like The Today Show, Anderson Cooper, Dr. Oz and more to talk about her body transformation while promoting her new album, which will be released in the upcoming year. Right now she is working with a personal trainer and following a strictly regimented diet, but Reid is also considering trying to get her a deal with a weight loss program like Jenny Craig.

“They want to debut her new look during the next seasons of The X Factor. Obviously with Britney & Demi, Simon is doing everything to make the show be must see. Melanie Amaro is one of those plans,” said the source.

So far the hardest part of Melanie’s weight loss is her love for her family’s unhealthy home-cooked meals, and her lack of motivation in the gym. hat said, she is making serious progress and working hard to turn her fitness habits around. Tell us what YOU think! Are you excited to see Melanie’s body transformation?

Nicole Fukuoka

More Melanie Amaro & The X Factor News Below!

1. ‘X Factor’ Winner Melanie Amaro Will Be The Next Whitney Houston, Says Justin Bieber’s Producer
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2. Melanie Amaro’s Full Super Bowl Commercial With Elton John Released — Watch
3. It’s Official! Melanie Amaro Signs A $5 Million Recording Contract With Epic Records

Melanie Amaro may be sitting on a $5 million recording contract after winning season one of The X Factor, but she’s certainly not sitting on her couch. The 19-year-old British Virgin Islands singer has been told to get herself in shape — and the record label exec is doing what he can to help her out.

“L.A. Reid is adamant that Melanie get thinner so he’s hired a trainer for her, has her on a strict diet and checks in personally every day to see how much weight she’s lost,” an insider told The Hollywood Reporter>. “When she comes back, it will be a whole new Melanie Amaro.”

While we support being healthy, we don’t think every celebrity needs to be pin thin to be successful. Melanie is gorgeous and voluptuous, so we hope she’s not being forced to do change against her will.

What do you think of L.A.’s request? Sound off below!

More Melanie Amaro & The X Factor News Below!

1. ‘X Factor’ Winner Melanie Amaro Will Be The Next Whitney Houston, Says Justin Bieber’s Producer
   Tags:
   
2. Melanie Amaro’s Full Super Bowl Commercial With Elton John Released — Watch
3. It’s Official! Melanie Amaro Signs A $5 Million Recording Contract With Epic Records

The X-Factor‘s Melanie Amaro has teamed up with Kuk Harrell in the studio and Kuk, who has worked with Justin Bieber, Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez, compares the young singer to Whitney Houston!

In addition to working with Justin on his new album Believe, Kuk has been recording new songs with Melanie, who he describes as “a massive talent and complete joy to be around.”

Kuk tells HollywoodLife.com EXCLUSIVELY,”We have cut two songs so far. Melanie’s team is really smart. They are just picking great records for her. She’s a great spirit and a great singer. She’s just a joy to be around. Melanie has what it takes to be the next Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston. She’s a massive talent.“

Will Melanie ever do a duet with Justin?

“Who knows,” says Kuk. “They are both incredible talents and genuine people. They would be magical in the studio together.”

– Sandra Clark

More Melanie:

1. Melanie Amaro’s Full Super Bowl Commercial With Elton John Released — Watch
2. ‘X Factor’ Winner Melanie Amaro’s Super Bowl Commercial Revealed
3. It’s Official! Melanie Amaro Signs A $5 Million Recording Contract With Epic Records

The highly anticipated Pepsi commercial starring X Factor winner Melanie Amaro and Elton John has been released!

In the Super Bowl commercial, Melanie, 19, sings Aretha Franklin‘s “Respect” in front of the ruthless “King” Elton, who decides whether or not his subjects will receive a Pepsi for their talent.

Watch the video and tell us what you think, HollywoodLifers!

Click here to view the embedded video.

More Melanie Amaro News

1. ‘X Factor’ Winner Melanie Amaro’s Super Bowl Commercial Revealed
2. It’s Official! Melanie Amaro Signs A $5 Million Recording Contract With Epic Records
3. How ‘X Factor’ Finalists Melanie Amaro, Chris Rene & Josh Krajcik Spent Their Holidays

The Elton John-assisted clip for Pepsi will be one of the brightest moments of the big game — check out new video from the spot right now!

The X Factor winner Melanie Amaro will be getting her biggest break yet during a Pepsi Super Bowl advertisement with Elton John, and now we have our first sneak peek of the spot!

Melanie, 19, shines in this behind the scenes look at her shot, and she looks great and seems confident during this HUGE medieval-themed spot. She even has the chance to belt out Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” — how fun! We can’t wait to see the final product on Feb. 5!

Are YOU so excited to see the whole spot, HollywoodLifers?

– William Earl

More Melanie:

1. It’s Official! Melanie Amaro Signs A $5 Million Recording Contract With Epic Records
2. How ‘X Factor’ Finalists Melanie Amaro, Chris Rene & Josh Krajcik Spent Their Holidays
3. Melanie Amaro Reveals First Post ‘X Factor’ Splurge

The X Factor‘s Melanie Amaro is the winner of the largest prize in TV history and now she’s officially collecting her goods — a $5 million recording contract with L.A. Reid‘s Epic Records and her own Pepsi commercial.

Epic Records — which is one of Sony’s labels — announced they had officially signed the 19-year-old British Virgin Islands singer in a release Jan. 3.

“I joined The X Factor to be able to discover undeniable talent such as Melanie,” L.A. said in a statement.

“I am pleased that she is now signed to Epic Records because I believe we have only scratched the surface on uncovering her talent and her inevitable journey to super-stardom.”

Although we knew Melanie was guaranteed a signing deal, we’re still waiting to hear about the runners up — Josh Krajcik and Chris Rene.

It should not come to anyone’s surprise that Melanie Amaro signed with L.A. Reid’s record label as the judges had first dibs on all the talent on the show.

Do YOU think they’ll be given contracts too?

More ‘X Factor’ News

1. ‘X Factor’ Aftermath: What Will Happen To Chris Rene & Josh Krajcik?
2. ‘X Factor’ Results: Was Melanie Amaro, Josh Krajcik Or Chris Rene Crowned Winner?
3. ‘X Factor’ Highlights: What Was Your Favorite Moment From Season One?

Anyone who watched the first season of The X Factor knows it’s been a stressful couple of months for winner Melanie Amaro, and runners-up Josh Krajcik and Chris Rene. That’s why HollywoodLife.com is happy to report that all three finalists “spent the Christmas holiday with family at their respective homes.”

“They all have been apart from their families for a great amount of time over the last three months,” an X Factor insider tells us. “So they each took time to relax and spend quality time with their families — out of the bubble of The X Factor.”

Even Melanie, who has to film her Pepsi commercial in time for it to air during the Super Bowl in February, got some time to relax and enjoy the holidays.

— Reporting by Russ Weakland