R. Kelly, Alanis Morissette, Avril Lavigne Duet With 'X Factor' Finalists

by UInterviewDecember 22, 2011, 12:00 amNews >

The X Factor is trying to kick off its first season with a healthy dose of star power. Final three contenders Josh Krajcik, Chris Rene, and Melanie Amaro went into their last battle singing duets with some big industry names. Krajcik teamed up with Alanis Morissette to sing "Uninvited," while Rene and Avril Lavigne belted out "Complicated" together and R. Kelly once again "believed he could fly," with Amaro.

"This is going to be the closest final we've ever had," said judge Simon Cowell, who had previously kept the identities of the duet partners a secret. (Note: he can't be wrong on this one. Think about it.)

Judge L.A. Reid was impressed by Krajcik's performance. "That was surreal," he said when the duo performed. Morissette's Jagged Little Pill is Reid's "favorite album of all time," according to E! Online. Paula Abdul was also a fan of the rendition, saying that Krajcik maintained "identity, dignity, and integrity" in his singing.

Amaro was the hit of the night, however. Though the judges implied that she was overshadowed in her duet with Kelly, it was her solo cover of Beyonce's Listen in Round Two, which was also her audition song, that really got everyone's attention. "That wasn't a $5 million performance," Reid told her, referring to the prize that the winner will walk away with. "It was a $50 million performance," he gushed. Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger agreed, calling the rendition "stellar" and "empowering," respectively. Cowell had the most decisive response to Amaro's performance, however. "You, to me, should be the winner of The X Factor," he declared.

To find out if she will be, catch Season One's final installment Thursday night at 8 p.m. EST on FOX.