‘The X Factor’ Finale: Who’s Worth 5 Million?

FOX's "The X Factor" comes to an end tonight-and someone will walk away a very happy (and rich!) newly-signed recording artist.

Last night's final performance episode featured the Top 3 contestants dueting with superstars.

Josh Kracjik kicked things off with Alanis Morissette, with a haunting version of "Uninvited."

Next up was Chris Rene with a jumpy Avril Lavigne on the song "Complicated." Lavigne gave Rene pops for singing her song because, like, he's a dude.

Melanie Amaro went predictable with R. Kelly and the song "I Believe I Can Fly," once again proving that she has the best vocals of the remaining contestants.

Later the contestants gave one last solo performance (all of them chose to encore their audition songs, incidentally), including another rendition of Chris Rene's self- penned "Young Homie," which Simon Cowell dubbed "a 5 million dollar song."

But tonight is the big night.

In addition to some big name musical guests like Justin Bieber, 50 Cent, Leona Lewis, Pitbull and Ne-Yo, the Season 1 "X Factor" winner will be crowned. The votes are in and someone will walk away with a $5 million paycheck just three days before Christmas. That will buy a lot of stocking stuffers.

Meanwhile, there's already buzz about who will and won't be back next season.

According to EW.com, it sounds like Paula Abdul is the only judge who sounds confident about returning for a second go around.

Nicole Scherzinger, who was pummeled by the audience after she inadvertently let contestant Rachel Crow get sent home, said judging took a lot out of her.

Scherzinger said, "I'm an artist first, not a judge, so I do wear my heart on my sleeve, and I can only just be myself. But at the beginning of the [new] year, I'm focusing on my album and getting it out. I'm going on tour in Europe. So I'm going to focus on the music. X Factor isn't until later on in the year, so I get to focus on me and my music, which is what I do organically."

L.A. Reid also expressed doubt over his return, although he said he's like to come back if Simon and Co. will have him.

"I don't know if I'm even coming back, but if they invite me back. I'm certainly interested, yes," he said.

"The X Factor" finale airs live tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.