Chris Rene

Chris Rene was a breakout contestant for the first week of 'X Factor.' He spoke about overcoming addiction and beating those odds, as well as being a father to his young son, which is what makes his journey so important and so popular with viewers. Not only did the singer graduate to another round of competition, thanks to his original song 'Young Homie,' but his other long-lost son found out tha

Chris Rene will tell you that things haven't been easy for him in the past. The 'X Factor' rising star is 28, fresh out of rehab, where he battled his addiction to hard drugs. Now, he's ready to turn things around and put his inarguable music talent to good use, which he hopes not only will put his name in lights, but help him put food on the table for his toddler.

When we met Chris Rene on 'X Factor,' his smooth R&B vocals and rap skills immediately perked our ears up. On top of all that, the 28-year-old hip-hop newcomer has one of the most touching stories we've ever heard on one of these reality singing competitions, as he told the 'X Factor' audience and judges about his battle with drug addiction and how his wants to win so that he can support his 2

The 'X Factor' debuted big last night, with plenty of laughable (and trite) contestants but even more head-turners. It might make fans of reality competition series that center on music say, 'American Idol who?'

The final audition on the series premiere of 'X Factor' was from a guy named Chris Rene, who is 28 years old and working as a garbage man. The father of one -- a 2 1/2-year-old boy -- performed his own original song 'Young Homie' for the judges panel and the audience members, and not only was his voice moving, so was his personal story.