‘X Factor’ Contestant Melanie Amaro Impresses With Michael Jackson Cover

Melanie Amaro had a sore throat, but when she got in front of that microphone on 'X Factor,' all was right with the world and her voice.

Mel looked totally banging in her blue liquid leggings and silky suit jacket, along with back-teased, straight hair. But she sounded even more banging when she belted out Michael Jackson's classic ballad 'Man in the Mirror.' It was a gorgeous tribute to the late, great King of Pop. Overall, Melanie Amaro is a remarkable singer who, as Paula Abdul said, could sing the phone book and make it sound compelling.

Simon Cowell deemed her performance "bloody fantastic." Oh, Simon, we love when you flaunt your British-ness.

When Amaro delivered the final "big" note of the song, it was "the moment" that pushed her performance further and made it even more memorable.

L.A. Reid said, "You're a really great singer. I didn't find it that inventive. It was predictably strong."

Sigh... Okay, L.A. You're confusing us. Is it better for the contestants to be all "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" or is it better for them to experiment and do something uncomfortable and foreign? Where is the middle ground? It feels like a "damned if you do, damned if you don't situation" with him when it comes to Simon's charges. Perhaps it's all part of the producer's scripted tension between the alpha males at the judge's table. Maybe they tell L.A. to say up when Simon says down?

Nevertheless, it's a good thing Simon Cowell put his tail between his legs and headed back to Florida to bring Mel back after he eliminated her. She is fabulous!

Watch Melanie Amaro Perform 'Man in the Mirror' on 'X Factor'