WSVN — She’s the South Florida winner from the hit Fox show "The X-Factor." Melanie Amaro’s musical journey has not been easy, but now… she’s aiming for an encore. 7’s Shireen Sandoval has our special assignment report– "Melanie’s Music."
It was Dec. 22, 2011– when a 19-year-old from Sunrise heard the two words that changed her life.
By winning the first season of "The X-Factor," Melanie Amaro scored a $5 million recording contract and a starring role in a Pepsi Super Bowl commercial with Elton John.
But fast forward more than four years– the 23-year-old is older and wiser.
Melanie Amaro: "Definitely, my 19-year-old self back then was naive."
7News caught up with Melanie who still has deep ties to South Florida.
At a Miami recording studio, we got an exclusive listen to Melanie’s soon-to-be-released song, "I’m Done."
Melanie Amaro: "It’s just for anybody who has gone through that time where, they’re like, ‘You know what, I can’t do this anymore. My heart can’t take it. I’m done.’"
Melanie says the song is about romantic relationships gone south. But it was the breakup with her record label that made news in the years after her "X Factor" win.
Melanie Amaro: "I have no hard feelings towards anybody. I love L.A. Reid, he’s awesome. Simon, he was my mentor, I still love him."
Now fueling Melanie’s fire– a comeback.
Melanie Amaro: "This music that I’m working on now– bomb. I spend hours in the studio, I was writing. With a lot of things that have happened over the years, it’s kind of broken my confidence here and there, but I always come back from it."
Melanie says one inspiring moment for her… a chance encounter with Whitney Houston in Los Angeles. Turns out, the late superstar was a big fan of hers.
Melanie Amaro: "She turns around, and she’s like, ‘Ms. Melanie Amaro’ and I just go silent and start crying, because I could not believe who was in my presence."
Just two days after their conversation, Whitney Houston was gone.
Melanie Amaro: "Getting the chance to chat with her, even for that five minutes that I got with her. It was emotional for me. I cried a lot. And then to hear the news two days later, I didn’t even believe it."
Melanie’s belief now is in herself and her fans.
Melanie Amaro: "I have some solid fans, and those are the people that I just want to say thank you to."
Her new single "The One" is now available for download. Get the links to Melanie’s music below.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Melanie’s Music
Apple iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/melanie-amaro/id475536623
Google Play:
http://bit.ly/1KzMb5X
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ItsMelanieAmaro