Monica Michael wanted Simon Cowell to be her mentor on 'The X Factor'.

Monica Michael

Monica Michael

The wannabe pop star - who has finally made it through to Judges' Houses after failing to get past the Six Chair Challenge last year - has confessed she would have preferred to have Simon as her mentor rather than Rita Ora.

Speaking about finding out Rita would be guiding the girls category, Monica said: "At first, I did want Simon as my team leader because I've looked up to him ever since I was a little girl.

"Rita didn't see me when I was on the show last year so it did occur to me that she wouldn't know how much I have grown - whereas Simon would have."

However, Monica has now come to terms with the news and is hopeful Rita will bring the best out of her in the competition.

She added to ITV's 'Good Morning Britain': "But she is such a girl's girl. I think she is going to make a great mentor."

Monica secured her place in one of Rita's six seats after wowing her and the rest of the judges - Simon, Nick Grimshaw and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini - with her rendition of 'What Is Love' from the US TV drama 'Empire'.

Nick said of her performance: "That is exactly what you needed to do. You came in and showed us who you would be as an artist and for me right now you're the most exciting girl in this competition."