X Factor USA 2011 Final: Winner Melanie Amaro’s tears of joy

• Josh is runner up as Chris comes in third place on all-star final

By
Jade Watkins and Chris Johnson

Last updated at 10:37 AM on 23rd December 2011

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.

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.

‘Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God,’ Amaro repeated after host Steve Jones announced her as the winner.

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

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.

‘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.

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.

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.

Here come the boys: Runner up Josh, third place Chris and host Steve Jones on the red carpet after the show

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.

‘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.

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.

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.

‘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.’

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

More here:
X Factor USA 2011 Final: Winner Melanie Amaro’s tears of joy