Ellona Rano Santiago (born August 1, 1996) is a Filipino-born American singer from San Lorenzo, California.
In season 1, she was a part of the ten-member group InTENsity mentored by Paula Abdul which were the first contestant eliminated.
As years go by, Ellona was enrolled by her parents to Barbizon Modeling School for professional training (2005–2006) in San Francisco, California.
At 10, she became the youngest cast member of the musical-comedy called “Amerikana” led by Fil-Am Singer-Actress-Comedienne Fe Delos Reyes who became her mentor.
Ellona is a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Children's Church Choir in San Leandro, CA.
Since Ellona's involvement in 2012 with the organization, it has raised more awareness for different sectors and individuals to donate and participate in the program [1] In 2011, at age 14, she took part in the inaugural season 1 of the American singing competition The X Factor.
The group mentored by Paula Abdul included in addition to Ellona Santiago the following: Ma'at Bingham Shango, Nick Dean, Francesca Duncan, John Lindahl, Emily Michalak, Austin Percario, Arin Ray (who competed in season 2 as a soloist), Emily Wilson and Lauren Ashley.
They received low public vote finishing in Bottom 2 alongside Stereo Hoggz, another Paula Abdul-mentored group.
Kelly Rowland described her audition as "unexpected" as she was very shy and modest at first but had put in so much fierceness and passion into her song, "Wings" by Little Mix.
Ellona Santiago was picked in the Final 40, one of ten acts in the "Girls" category mentored by Demi Lovato.
Lovato hesitated to put Santiago through to the next round, unsure of what to do stating "When I see this panel and the four seats over there, I can't see myself letting any of them go."
Judge and mentor Simon Cowell argued saying that he strongly disagreed and that "she was probably the best voice that the girls category has ever had."
She received negative comments from the judges, with Simon Cowell telling Ellona that she had lost her originality and it was as if he was watching an actress.
The City Council has commended her for being an inspirational representative for the youth in striving to achieve her dreams and in making a difference in the world.