‘The X-Factor’ Winner Melanie Amaro Undergoing Pop Star Bootcamp?

by Jason
May 15, 2012 at 10:27 am

Usually five months out, a singing competition champ has been working the press and is about to release a studio album. Well, that’s certainly not the case for The X-Factor Season 1 winner Melanie Amaro. Since being crowned the winner last December, she’s remained relatively out of the public eye. Save for a single release (“Respect”) and a Pepsi Superbowl commercial, Amaro has laid low.

What’s going on?

According to The Hollywood Reporter, a source reveals that Epic Records head L.A. Reid — who is overseeing the launch of Amaro’s debut — is having the rising star undergo a strict pop star bootcamp. This includes a supervised exercise regime and a diet. The source continues:

Melanie Amaro The X Factor Winner Melanie Amaro Undergoing Pop Star Bootcamp?

Photo Credit: Ray Mickshaw/FOX

“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. When she comes back, it will be a whole new Melanie Amaro.”

2012 is a whole different ball game as far as singing competition shows are concerned. Viewers have most likely already moved on to the next big thing. Reportedly, Amaro has been hard at work on her debut album — working with industry heavyweights Kuk Harrell (Rihanna, Justin Bieber) and Tricky Stewart. As of March, she’s recorded four or five songs for the album — which is expected to drop sometime this year.

Will dragging out a public reveal backfire? Or is it the right move?

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10 comments

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Theresa Aberham

This is just disgusting. If people liked her enough to vote for her while she has a little meat on her, then there is no reason she needs to change. It might actually cause a downfall, if that didn't happen already by her lack of music released. I wasn't her biggest fan but this is sad and I feel bad for her.

Bob Courtney

Melanie who? Listen, I was her biggest fan but outta sight outta mind. By the time she releases her debut CD we'll already have a season two winner and she will be long forgotten.

JulieBarbara

I find this so offensive and sexist. If Melanie were a man, she wouldn't have this pressure on her to get skinny. So she has a little extra weight, so what? She's not nearly as big as Jennifer Hudson used to be, and she doesn't look unhealthy. It's especially offensive to me that LA Reid is basically forcing her to lose weight and "checking in on her" DAILY to see how much weight she's lost. That's how you get an eating disorder! Anyone who's trying to lose weight in a healthy way does NOT need to weigh themselves every single day. Well LA is a shallow a-hole, what do I expect? Remember that Pink song "Don't Let Me Get Me"? She referred to LA's shallow control-freak ways: "LA told me, you'll be a pop star/All you have to change is everything you are." She even had an actor playing him in the music video.

smoothdancer49

@JulieBarbara They made David Cook clean up his act and lose weight. He came on American Idol looking like a bum. If these people want to be famous and make millions, why shouldn't they do something that better for their image and also healthier?

Katenigma

@JulieBarbara You're only partly right. LA is a sexist pig. However, weighing yourself every day IS the healthy and scientific way to track your weight. Not to obsess over your weight, but because even if you take your weight at the exact same time and conditions, your weight fluctuates over the course of the day and week. Taking it every day and then averaging it over the week to then compare to the previous week's average is a more accurate way of doing it.

nfgc86

You have to strike while the irons hot. By the time she puts out material we will have seen so many singers/acts on various talent shows. I have a hard time believing they are putting a bunch of work in launching her career when the new season of the X Factor is around the corner. I personally found her to be very talented, but kind of boring. Maybe they're doing the right thing, but I think it'll backfire

jbeeeb

1 Like

As long as they waited this long I think they should coincide the drop with the premier of the next season and they could do a big debut as part of that process.

@jbeeeb Ever since Leona Lewis won in the UK and waiting a year to release her album, Simon prefers to do albums like this for precisely that reason. So he can debut them on the live shows.

2 Like

I think she looks gprgeous at her current weight. Some people don't look right all skinny and boney (Carson Daily, I'm talking to you).

LA just needs to focus on finding her hit songs.

amandanoa

@JeremyGable

She did need work to modernise her for the pop culture - not so sure about the weight but the general presentation - she needed to be taught to act young and present her songs better if she wants to make it in pop music today. The same can be said for both Jessica and Joshua in AI.