Simon Cowell: Shirtless Jet Skiing!

Simon Cowell wears an open life jacket while jet skiing through the waters of Barbados on Saturday (December 24).

The 52-year-old X Factor mentor and judge has reason to celebrate as his contestant Melanie Amaro took home the $5 million recording deal during the first season’s finale last week.

Melanie told E! that she doesn’t think she would have went as far in the competition if she had one of the other judges as her mentor.

“No. I don’t think I would’ve gone very far at all because I needed Simon to be that tough judge that he was with me in order for me to grow, to get to a higher place. For me, I needed Simon,” Melanie said.

10+ pictures inside of a shirtless Simon Cowell in Barbados…