'X Factor' Finale Preview: Contestants Weigh Their Chances Of Winning It All (VIDEO)

With the Thursday night "The X Factor" finale rapidly approaching, "Good Day Wake Up" (weekdays, 7AM ET on Fox) went backstage to ask the contestants how they were feeling. With a $5 million recording contract on the line, the contestants all seemed upbeat and hopeful. "I'm so happy to be here," Chris Rene said ... "And I know that, possibly I could win this competition." While it's possible now, it sure didn't seem probable in the first weeks of the show.

Josh Krajcik has been another pleasant surprise. His gravelly voice and Joe Cocker-style delivery made him seem like an underdog, but after his touching performance of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," Krajcik may just have endeared himself to voters. "Now is the time," he told Good Day. "I'm going to grasp that hand of fate and make it mine."

If you ask Simon Cowell, he'll say that Melanie Amaro is the likely winner. He stood behind her in support as she she talked about her chances. "If I work really hard, I'm pretty sure I can get really far, and really win it," she said.

Melanie and Simon will face Josh and his mentor Nicole Scherzinger, as well as Chris and L.A. Reid in the final showdown.

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Comments

[kenny356]

11:56 AM on 12/22/2011

Josh will win because of two words "Chive On"

[NatTurner1]

11:32 AM on 12/22/2011

Melanie has the big ticket voice, Chris will be a success as a song writer, Josh is another Taylor Hicks.

[GiaMTL]

11:33 PM on 12/22/2011

Agree with first two predictions, not the 3rd. Josh will have great success.

[FlipMode]

10:26 AM on 12/22/2011

Too funny! People will criticize the biggest names in the industry -- Beyonce, Rihanna, Lady Gaga -- and say they can't sing, and when it comes to a reality show, say it doesn't matter if they can sing and call a true singer boring. Wow. Hypocrites much?

[laurenproof12]

10:06 AM on 12/22/2011

Melanie bores me. Sure she can sign but I definitely don't get excited to see her.

[NatTurner1]

11:30 AM on 12/22/2011

I feel the same about Josh. I feel he will end up another Clay Aiken or Taylor Hicks. We will not hear about him in 2 years.

[laurenproof12]

11:46 AM on 12/22/2011

Its possible. I think he's good, but I'm not wow'ed:)

[vegipasta]

09:51 AM on 12/22/2011

I thought from the beginning Simon sent Melanie home because he saw and heard the British X factor winner when she sang. He should have given her songs to try and distinguished her from the cookie cutter girls that flood the market. He never pushed her to try anything different and he should have because the girl can really sing.

[GiaMTL]

11:34 PM on 12/22/2011

and she won...

[Linda Casey]

09:34 AM on 12/22/2011

I would buy a ticket to see Josh and maybe even Chris, but Melanie to me, though she has pipes and can SANG, is a one-trick pony and boring. Seems to me she mostly sang ballads this whole season while the guys mixed it up and took risks with their performances. That and the fact that Josh plays piano and can write songs, and Chris writes, too, will help them go far in this industry, whether they win or not.

[NatTurner1]

11:31 AM on 12/22/2011

Josh is the essence of one trick pony. He is the 2011 version of Taylor Hicks.

[Wow Unbelievable]

12:40 PM on 12/22/2011

Josh is far from being cheesy..

[Lazy American]

01:00 PM on 12/22/2011

I absolutely agree with you about Melanie, in fact it got to the point where from the start of each song all I would do is wait for her to hit that 'obligatory' high note. I found it funny knowing that if this had been Idol Simon would have been the first to call her out on it.

[janstewy]

09:14 AM on 12/22/2011

Each of them has their style and each will be signed to a record label. They will do well no matter what place them come in tonight. Each deserve winning for their style but all are enjoyable.

[sabelmouse]

07:00 AM on 12/22/2011

i don't care about this but having heard Josh Krajcik i hope he has an album out soon. it's a pain to watch those videos.

[dlehelena]

06:16 AM on 12/22/2011

The best voice is Melanie, but she was dressed really bad and is boring to watch. Chris is fun to watch, not only standing behind a micro, but interacting. We all know he doesn't have the best voice. But who is texting/voting? The 13-25 year olds....so my bet is on Chris, even that I love Melanie when she belts it out!

[laurenproof12]

10:08 AM on 12/22/2011

I think Melanie is boring. I'm with you on Chris, he may not have the GREATEST voice, but I love to watch him. Its not only about the voice...take a look at Melanie, I also don't like the whole fake accent thing.

[NatTurner1]

11:35 AM on 12/22/2011

Yeah, she is not really from the Caribbean..she is really from Canada and is just pulling our leg. How insightful and typical of you. Thanks.

Oh, and I dont like Josh's fake "raspy" Joe Crocker voice. He doesnt talk like that!

[Snooty Tooty]

04:52 AM on 12/22/2011

Whoever wins this contest will depend on what kind of music the voters like. Not the best singer. The X-factor focuses too much on the judges, lighting, and boring in between. It would be better entertainment if they just focused on the singers and let them pick their own songs. None of the mentorship stuff that gives the judges more air time. One thing more:. It was first announced that the winner would get $5 million Dollars. Now they have changed that to a
$5 CONTRACT. Big difference!

[sdgreen]

03:09 AM on 12/22/2011

No doubt in my mind, Melanie is the shining star in this competition. It is a toss up between JOsh and Rene for second place. The purity and strength of Melanie should win the day; but America is fickle in these matters.

[laurenproof12]

10:11 AM on 12/22/2011

All a matter of opinion...I share with many that Melanie is boring. I can't deny she CAN sing...I just get bored watching and listening to her.

[Squiriferous]

02:50 AM on 12/22/2011

Fat stoned guy looks fat and stoned.

[Lena P]

01:18 AM on 12/22/2011

I agree how many jordan sparks, katherine McPhee's can we have?? Chris or Josh. Chris is more marketable for the young crowd while Josh is a soulful, raspy Joe Cocker style. While Melanie has a powerful voice, too many clones.

[Snooty Tooty]

05:06 AM on 12/22/2011

Who dressed Melanie last night in that black see-through panel dress? Ugly dress. She kept tugging at it and seemingly felt uncomfortable in it. That flap down at the crouch made the dress look even more ridiculous. Sing, Melanie! Sing on.

[laurenproof12]

10:20 AM on 12/22/2011

Well said, I believe Chris would sell the most records.

[lj9283]

11:40 PM on 12/21/2011

Melanie is another Jordan Sparks/Katherine McPhee. Chris Rene, who is the darling of the 13-18 years olds, can't sing. Josh has been true to his music throughout the competition, and I'll actually spend money on his album when it's released.

[GiaMTL]

11:39 PM on 12/22/2011

And how many stars have you created to have acquired such insight?

[lj9283]

04:44 PM on 12/23/2011

I have an ear that tells me that every time Chris Rene sings many of the notes are flat or off key, but I guess the cute boy with the sad story can buy an auto-tuner for his performances now.

I do however understand that we mere humans are not allowed to express our opinions if they contradict the insight of the mighty Gia ........

Give me a break.

[Edward Standley]

10:58 PM on 12/21/2011

Can't say that I would buy the music of any of the three, but I think the young guy, Chris is the most marketable today.

[GiaMTL]

11:40 PM on 12/22/2011

Chris will do very very well