X Factor star Melanie Amaro signed to L.A. Reid's Epic

The teenager who became the X Factor's first winner has signed her first deal.

Melanie Amaro picked up a $5 million cheque when she won the talent show last month (Dec11) and now she's an Epic Records artist.

X Factor judge/mentor Antonio 'L.A.' Reid will now oversee her career as the chairman/CEO of Epic.

Series creator and fellow judge Simon Cowell, who selected Amaro among his group of wannabes after initially rejecting her and sending her home, says, "We all agreed that Epic would be the right fit for Melanie. L.A. made it clear that he wanted the opportunity to work with her and with his track record, you can't say no to that."