HispanicBusiness

Will talent top a hard-luck story?

Don't bet $5 million on it.

With Simon Cowell's brash, bright, practically seizure-inducing talent competition "The X Factor" entering its final round, finalist Melanie Amaro has the vocal edge. Last week, the 19-year-old Floridian gave viewers goosebumps with her rendition of Nina Simone's "Feeling Good."

But Californian Chris Rene is the strongest contender for the multimillion-dollar recording contract -- and the Pepsi commercial thrown in for good measure. The tattooed 28-year-old singer's saga of substance abuse and recovery has struck the kind of chord with viewers that could give him the "X Factor" crown.

Rounding out the trio of wannabe superstars, rocker Josh Krajcik, 30, from Ohio has a Randy Newman-ish vibe about him and seems as surprised as us at home about making it to the finals.

The show has demonstrated that lowering the contestant age requirement to 13 leads to far more fra-gile singers: Rachel Crow's emotional collapse after being voted out by viewers earlier this month made for one of the most harrowing moments on live TV this year. "Mommy, you promised me," she wailed.

No matter who wins tomorrow night, it's not too early to think about next year.

If "The X Factor" is ever going to become the ratings giant Cowell promised, Fox needs to fix "The S Flaw" -- judge Nicole Scherzinger.

Cowell's dead-on impersonation of her last week -- "I believe in you, you believe in me, you transcend the universe, God is smiling on you, life is a waterfall and you are the ultimate rainbow" -- encapsulated a season of her blather.

Fox needs to contact the British Embassy immediately and set up a cultural exchange to get back original judge Cheryl Cole.

Maybe if it throws in robotic host Steve Jones, they'll agree to a swap.