Melanie Amaro erupted into a flood of joyful tears last night upon hearing she was crowned the winner of X Factor USA.
The powerful 19-year-old vocalist from Sunrise, Florida could barely keep her composure after winning the Fox talent competition over soulful 30-year-old singer Josh Krajcik of Wooster, Ohio.
Chris Rene, the 28-year-old singer-rapper from Santa Cruz, California, came in third place.
In it to win it: Melanie Amaro collapses into a flood of joyful tears as she is crowned the winner of X Factor USA last night
Emotional: The 19-year-old from Sunrise, Florida immediately broke down upon hearing the news
Amaro, who was mentored by judge Simon Cowell and was at one point eliminated from the contest, was awarded the grand prize: a $5 million recording contract and a starring role in a Pepsi commercial.
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Despite continued prodding from Jones, Amaro couldn't quite formulate words when she was revealed to have captured the most viewer votes.
Shock: Amaro got down on her hands and knees to thank god upon hearing that she was the winner of the talent contest as host Steve Jones attempted to get a reaction from her
Floods: The diva in the making couldn't contain
her herself from the very announcement to the moment when she got up on
stage for
her final performance
Difficulty: Amaro struggled through tears to reprise Beyonce's Listen, the soaring song that Amaro crooned at her audition and on Wednesday's final performance round
Upon finding out the news, Melanie embraced Simon and then immediately looked completely confused as to what had just happened as reality began to sink in.
Surrounded by friends and family who rushed to the stage to embrace her, Steve still failed to get a reaction from her.
Cowell instead spoke on her behalf.
Give us a hug! Mentor Simon Cowell reaches in to give Amaro a cuddle following the thrilling news
Congratulatory hugs: Amaro embraced Kracjik upon finding out she had taken the top prize
'I want to say, America, thank you for giving this girl an opportunity,' said Cowell, who has not mentored an X Factor winner since Leona Lewis in the U.K version of the show in 2006.
'This is an amazing moment for me, you are not going to get a word out of her Steve!'
Amaro then struggled through tears to reprise Beyonce's Listen, the soaring song that she crooned at her audition and on Wednesday's final performance round.
Comforted: Simon also made sure to give Kracjik a cuddle, while Nicole went in to embrace Amaro
The teen wobbled through the R'n'B track as she was joined onstage by the final 12, who were eager to embrace her.
Still in a flood of tears, Steve once again approached her for a comment and finally got a few more words out of the rising star.
'Thank you so much! OMG, I don't know what even to say... God is good... Thank you America!' she said.
What just happened? Amaro looked somewhat confused as to what had just happened
Tears for days: Amaro was certainly in need of some tissues
Gracious Kracjik, who was mentored by Nicole Scherzinger, told Jones: 'I feel amazing. Melanie deserves it. She has a wonderful voice. I've had such an incredible experience here ... I couldn't be happier.'
Moving over to Steve, Amaro dropped her knees to the floor and prayed her thanks to god.
Earlier in the show, Chris Rene was eliminated as the three finalists were cut down to two.
Celebration: At the end of her performance, Amaro was joined by the final 12 for some congratulatory hugs
The whole gang: The stage could only be described as electric
Still lost for words? Steve approached Amaro, who was still in tears, for one last comment at the end of the show
Comforted by his mentor L.A Reid, Rene told Jones that he was just pleased to be part of the show.
'I feel amazing that I got to do this, that I'm here and that God has blessed me with so many opportunities. I just got to say thank you,' he said.
L.A. said he was incredibly proud of his protege: 'It's a tough one right? I remained proud of Chris...This is how it turned out, this is still my man.'
Composed: Melanie was seen more following the show as she showed off her Pepsi trophy on the arm of mentor Simon
Here come the boys: Runner up Josh, third place Chris and host Steve Jones on the red carpet after the show
Lovely ladies: Nicole wore a glittering silver gown while Paula slipped into a red and pink number with green peep-toe heels
Before the winners and runners up were unveiled, the three finalists crooned classic Christmas tunes, and Justin Bieber, Stevie Wonder, Leona Lewis, Pitbull, Ne-Yo and 50 Cent performed various songs with former contestants.
Amaro opted to sing Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You for her festive jingle.
Following the performance all four judges were almost rendered speechless, with nothing but praise for the 19-year-old.
Face-off duet: Amaro and Krajcik sang David Bowie's Heroes together before they found out who was crowned the winner
Anticipation: The final three were seen earlier looking nervous ahead of the highly anticipated announcement
'You did that song justice, that beautiful voice you have is a best friend a song has ever got,' said L.A.
'All I want for Christmas is a Melanie Amaro CD!' screeched Nicole.
Mentor Simon was more personal.
'I just want to say Mel, you have been an absolute pleasure to work with... I have seen this massive progression with you both as a person and a singer, I am so proud of you,' he said.
What followed was a tear-jerking video with all of Melanie's family members and friends sending their well-wishes in an emotional montage.
The gang: The four judges strutted onto the stage in their finest at the beginning of the live grand finale
Emotional night: The judges went through a range of different feelings throughout the show
Rene then followed Amaro, getting his croon on with the classic Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.
The song made Nicole get up on her feet at the last note.
'You, no matter what; you are a star from the inside out... you are that voice, you are that hero!' she said, fighting back tears.
'Chris you are the most original, you have such a great style about you. You stylized a classic song and you made it Chris Rene style,' added Paula.
Taking to the stage: The final three are seen at the beginning of the show performing with the final 12
Simon reminded the 28-year-old what an inspiration he was to others, especially in such troubling times.
'Chris that was very very cool and I like you... you are truly an inspiration to a lot of guys out there,' he said. 'You are a man of your word... I admire you very much.'
Rene was also shown an emotionally charged video montage of his loved ones, which included messages from his sponsors, his mother, and his sister, who told him that his late father would be extremely proud.
Having a ball: They were clearly in high spirits for the performance
In a flood of tears, Rene, who has only just become eight months sober, could barely speak.
Last but not least was Kracjik, who belted out Please Comes Home For Christmas.
'You have been so good I have been lost for words,' L.A said of his performances over the last few weeks.
Winning best: Amaro sang Mariah Carey's All I
Want For Christmas Is You for her opening song in the finale
Rock and bell: Kracjik belted out the classic Please Comes Home For Christmas
'You are such a joy, you are so wonderful. you affect all of our souls, your songs are magical,' Nicole added.
Simon was keen to point out just how well Kracjik represented the over-30's category.
'You represented this category so well,' he said. 'You have been a brilliant contestant and I have good news for you; you are going to sell millions of records.'
Crooner: Rene followed Amaro, getting his croon on with the classic Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Kracjik's video messages featured well-wishes from his girlfriend, his burrito shop co-workers and his father, who said he was particularly proud of his son.
Ahead of Amaro being crowned winner, as always Cowell put on a spectacular show.
The final 12 performed at the beginning of the live program, singing Lady Gaga's hit The Edge Of Glory.
Bieber fever: Headlining the star-studded guest list was Justin Bieber, who performed The Christmas Song
Legend: He was later joined on stage by the legendary Stevie Wonder
Reunited they put on an energetic show, with so much excitement that Amaro nearly fell off the stage as she walked down the stairs.
Headlining the star-studded guest list was Justin Bieber, who performed The Christmas Song along with the legendary Stevie Wonder.
Bieber then later surprised former X Factor contestant Drew Ryniewic, beckoning her onstage to conclude his rendition of Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.
Kisses and praise: Still gushing about the teen since first hearing her voice, Bieber reminded the audience of his faith in former X Factor contestant Drew Ryniewic, after she also joined him onstage for the performance
Still gushing about the teen, Bieber reminded the audience of his faith in Drew, following the performance.
'She is a very special girl and she will go far,' he said.
Simon also brought in his other protege, Leona Lewis, who has gone on to have massive success after winning the X Factor U.K in 2006.
Familiar face? Simon also brought in his other
protege, Leona Lewis, who has gone on to have massive success after
winning the X Factor U.K in 2006
Stunning: Looking stunning wearing a cowl neck gown and lashings of red lipstick, Leona sang her famous rendition of Run by Snow Patrol
Looking stunning wearing a cowl neck gown and lashings of red lipstick, she sang her famous rendition of Run by Snow Patrol.
Playing in the background was a montage of moments from the current U.S show, bringing some of the judges to tears.
Lucky former contestant Marcus Canty also did a duet with famed rappers Neyo & Pitbull.
Hip hop legend: 50 Cent took to the stage to perform with some scantily clad dancers
Confident: Former contestant Astro later took to the stage to rap alongside the East Coast legend
And quite possibly stealing the show was pint-sized rapper Astro, who confidently strode on stage to not only join rap legend 50 Cent, but also a slew of L.A Lakers players.
Keeping with a rap video theme, the boys were joined by scantily clad ladies dancing in bath tubs and writhing around couches and a grand piano.
Lucky: Former contestant Marcus Canty also did a duet with famed rappers Neyo & Pitbull
Unlike American Idol, the contest was open to both solo singers and groups, and had a lower minimum age of 12 and no upper age limit.
The judges also served as mentors.
Cowell represented female vocalists, including Amaro; L.A. Reid headed male singers, including Rene; Nicole Scherzinger was in charge of over-30 singers, including Krajcik; and Paula Abdul helmed the groups.
The clan: The final 12 takes to the stage to massive applause from the judges and audience members
Famous face: Actress Zoey Deschanel cheered on the contestants from the crowd
