'I am back!' Monica Michael returns to the X Factor after Girls mentor Rita Ora reveals she convinced her fellow judges to give the axed singer a Wildcard entry
She had viewers and guest mentor Meghan Trainor in tears during her heartbreaking tribute to her brother during her Judges' Houses audition
Despite her emotional performance, Monica Michael failed to make it through to the X Factor's final 12 last weekend, but the ITV show sensationally announced on Thursday that the 25-year-old will return as this year's Wildcard entry.
The news was broken during spinoff show The Xtra Factor on Thursday, with the X Factor's official Twitter account and Monica herself soon confirming the big news.
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She's back! Axed X Factor contestant Monica Michael has been announced as a Wildcard entry for the live shows, which kick off this weekend
We are VERY excited to announce that this year's #XFactor Wild Card IS...@monicamichaeluk! #XtraFactor,' tweeted the show, while an ecstatic Monica tweeted:
'Hi guys! I know Halloween is upon us but this is not a trick... I AM BACK!!!! #XtraFactor #WildCard'
'I just thought I have to bring her back,' Simon Cowell said as the announcement was made on Xtra Factor. 'Rita's got three great girls but the show wouldn't be the same without her.'
Heading home: Monica failed to make it through to this weekend's live shows after singing a self-penned track, dedicated to her late brother, for Girls mentor Rita Ora at Judges' Houses
'There was always going to be a wild card. It's not a given, but we always like that opportunity. Funny enough we all spoke to each other on Monday… it is crazy not to bring one person back'.
'I love her she's just so cool. I said last week 'get her a chair',' fellow judge Nick Grimshaw added.
Cheryl agreed, gushing: 'She's really excited and really happy to be back. This is my most exciting first week I've ever had.'
In a statement, Rita, who didn't appear with her fellow judges on Xtra Factor said: 'I couldn't sleep Sunday night thinking about Monica and if I could convince the other judges of giving her a wildcard.
Emotional: Monica, 25, from North London, performed an original song in tribute to her late 18-year-old brother
'It's so great that Simon, Cheryl and Grimmy agreed. What a rollercoaster for Monica but sooo glad to have her back. So exciting.'
Monica added: 'I'm so hyped to be back as the wildcard. Thank you to all the Judges for believing in me and for the public for supporting me. See you on Saturday night!'
Monica failed to make it through to this weekend's live shows after singing a self-penned track, dedicated to her late brother, for Girls mentor Rita Ora at Judges' Houses.
Earlier this week though, the London-born singer fuelled speculation she could be returning to the show with a cryptic tweet, telling her followers: 'So much for thinking I was getting a few days off! ;)'
Plenty to think about: Rita and her guest mentor Meghan Trainor had some tough decisions to make, opting not to put Monica through to the live shows
Monica has been a popular contestant on the show, after returning to audition this year following Cheryl Fernandez Versini's decision not to take her to last year's Judges' Houses stage.
The show's boss Cowell had already hinted axed contestants may make a comeback to the talent show, telling ITV's Lorraine on Wednesday:
'Would I like to bring back the wildcard this series? I would do it in a heartbeat.'
'But it's not my decision. Well, it's not just my decision. I have influence over what we do but it's more complicated than you may think. We have to run ideas past a lot of people!'
Tough decision: Girls' mentor Rita Ora failed to pick Monica for her final three during last weekend's show
In previous years, viewers have been given the chance to vote for the Wildcard entry, while the 2014 series saw each of the judges bring back a former contestant for one of the other judges.
While Monica has earned a spot on the live shows, Josh Daniel, who failed to convince Boys' mentor Nick to include him in his final three last weekend has told his fans he won't be making a return, despite fans' pleas.
'I'm not returning to the show guys! But don't assume that's bad news... Watch this space, it will make sense soon! love yallll ♥️ #TeamJD,' he tweeted on Thursday.
Single ladies:Monica joins Louisa Johnson, Lauren Murray and Kiera Weathers in Rita's girls category
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3295677/Monica-Michael-returns-X-Factor-Wildcard-Rita-Ora-failed-pick-live-shows-emotional-Judges-Houses-audition.html#ixzz3pzWRQmh0
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