\nBy Last updated at 10:37 AM on 23rd December 2011<\/p>\n 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 Chris Rene, the 28-year-old singer-rapper from Santa Cruz, California, came in third place.<\/span><\/p>\n 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 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Emotional: The 19-year-old from Sunrise, Florida immediately broke down upon hearing the news <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Amaro, ‘Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God,’ Amaro repeated after host Steve Jones announced her as the winner.<\/span><\/p>\n Despite 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 <\/p>\n 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 Difficulty: Amaro struggled through tears to reprise Beyonce’s Listen, the soaring song Upon finding out the news, 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 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Congratulatory hugs: Amaro embraced Kracjik upon finding out she had taken the top prize<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gracious: Kracjik made an extremely gracious exit from the show, after coming in a close second<\/p>\n<\/div>\n ‘I want to say, America, thank you for ‘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 Comforted: Simon also made sure to give Kracjik a cuddle, while Nicole went in to embrace Amaro <\/p>\n<\/div>\n 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 ‘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 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Tears for days: Amaro was certainly in need of some tissues <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gracious Kracjik, who was mentored by Nicole Scherzinger, told Jones: ‘I feel amazing. Melanie deserves it. She has a wonderful Earlier in the show, Chris Rene was eliminated as the three finalists were cut down to two. <\/span><\/p>\n Celebration: At the end of her performance, Amaro was joined by the final 12 for some congratulatory hugs <\/p>\n<\/div>\n The whole gang: The stage could only be described as electric<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Still lost for words? Steve approached Amaro, who was still in tears, for one last comment at the end of the show<\/p>\n Comforted by his mentor L.A Reid, Rene told Jones that he was just pleased to be part of the show. \n‘I feel amazing that I got to do L.A. Composed: Melanie was seen more following the show as she showed off her Pepsi trophy on the arm of mentor Simon<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Here come the boys: Runner up Josh, third place Chris and host Steve Jones on the red carpet after the show<\/p>\n Lovely ladies: Nicole wore a glittering silver gown while Paula slipped into a red and pink number with green peep-toe heels<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Before Amaro opted to sing Mariah Carey’s All I 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<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Anticipation: The final three were seen earlier looking nervous ahead of the highly anticipated announcement <\/p>\n<\/div>\n ‘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.<\/span><\/p>\n Mentor Simon was more personal. ‘I What The gang: The four judges strutted onto the stage in their finest at the beginning of the live grand finale<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Emotional night: The judges went through a range of different feelings throughout the show<\/p>\n Rene then followed Amaro, getting his croon on with the classic Have Yourself A The song made Nicole get up on her feet at the last note. ‘You, ‘Chris Taking to the stage: The final three are seen at the beginning of the show performing with the final 12<\/p>\n Simon reminded the 28-year-old what an inspiration he was to others, especially in such troubling times.<\/span><\/p>\n ‘Chris Rene Having a ball: They were clearly in high spirits for the performance <\/p>\n<\/div>\n 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 \n‘You have been so good I have been lost for words,’ L.A said of his performances over the last few weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n Winning best: Amaro sang Mariah Carey’s All I Rock and bell: Kracjik belted out the classic Please Comes Home For ‘You are such a joy, you are so wonderful. you affect all of our souls, your songs are magical,’ Nicole added. <\/span><\/p>\n Simon was keen to point out just how well Kracjik represented the over-30’s category.\u00a0 \n‘You Crooner: Rene followed Amaro, getting his croon on with the classic Have Yourself A Kracjik’s Ahead of Amaro being crowned winner, as always Cowell put on a spectacular show. <\/span><\/p>\n The final 12 performed at the beginning of the live program, singing Lady Gaga’s hit The Edge Of Glory.<\/span><\/p>\n Bieber fever: Headlining the star-studded guest list was Justin Bieber, who performed The Christmas Song <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Legend: He was later joined on stage by the \nReunited Headlining the star-studded guest list Bieber then later surprised former X Kisses \nStill gushing about the teen, Bieber reminded the audience of his faith in Drew, following the performance. <\/span><\/p>\n ‘She is a very special girl and she will go far,’ he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Simon also brought in his other Familiar face? Simon also brought in his other Stunning: Looking stunning wearing a cowl neck gown and lashings of red lipstick, she sang her famous rendition of Run by Snow Patrol.<\/span><\/p>\n Playing in the background was a montage of moments from the current U.S show, bringing some of the judges to tears. <\/span><\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Confident: Former contestant Astro later took to the stage to rap alongside the East Coast legend <\/p>\n<\/div>\n And quite possibly stealing the show Keeping with a rap video theme, the
\nJade Watkins<\/a> and Chris Johnson<\/a><\/p>\n
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\nvocalist 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.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"In](\"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/6765article-2077805-0F42A2C800000578-873_634x860.jpg\")
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\nwho was mentored by judge Simon Cowell and was at one point eliminated
\nfrom the contest, was awarded the grand prize: a $5 million recording
\ncontract and a starring role in a Pepsi commercial.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\ncontinued prodding from Jones, Amaro couldn’t quite formulate words
\nwhen she was revealed to have captured the most viewer votes.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Shock:](\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/12\/23\/article-2077805-0F42A6F000000578-146_634x394.jpg\")
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\nher final performance<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Difficulty:](\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/12\/23\/article-2077805-0F42A6D400000578-389_634x634.jpg\")
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\nthat Amaro crooned at her audition and on Wednesday’s final performance
\nround<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nMelanie embraced Simon and then immediately looked completely confused
\nas to what had just happened as reality began to sink in.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Give](\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/12\/23\/article-2077805-0F42A14400000578-842_634x596.jpg\")
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\ngiving this girl an opportunity,’ said Cowell, who has not mentored an X
\nFactor winner since Leona Lewis in the U.K version of the show in 2006.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
\nthat she crooned at her audition and on Wednesday’s final performance
\nround.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Comforted:](\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/12\/23\/article-2077805-0F42A6BC00000578-889_634x344.jpg\")
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\nin a flood of tears, Steve once again approached her for a comment and
\nfinally got a few more words out of the rising star.
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n![\"What](\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/12\/23\/article-2077805-0F42A72800000578-128_634x566.jpg\")
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\nvoice. I’ve had such an incredible experience here … I couldn’t be
\nhappier.’<\/span><\/p>\n
\nMoving over to Steve, Amaro dropped her knees to the floor and prayed her thanks to god. <\/span><\/p>\n![\"Celebration:](\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/12\/23\/article-2077805-0F429B8C00000578-473_634x407.jpg\")
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\nthis, that I’m here and that God has blessed me with so many
\nopportunities. I just got to say thank you,’ he said. <\/span><\/p>\n
\nsaid he was incredibly proud of his protege: ‘It’s a tough one right? I
\nremained proud of Chris…This is how it turned out, this is still my
\nman.’ <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Composed:](\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/12\/23\/article-2077805-0F42AABC00000578-186_634x706.jpg\")
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\nthe winners and runners up were unveiled, the three finalists crooned classic Christmas
\ntunes, and Justin Bieber, Stevie Wonder, Leona Lewis, Pitbull, Ne-Yo and
\n50 Cent performed various songs with former contestants.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nWant For Christmas Is You for her festive jingle.
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Face-off](\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/12\/23\/article-2077805-0F42A66800000578-859_634x387.jpg\")
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\njust want to say Mel, you have been an absolute pleasure to work
\nwith…\u00a0 I have seen this massive progression with you both as a person
\nand a singer, I am so proud of you,’ he said.
<\/span><\/p>\n
\nfollowed was a tear-jerking video with all of Melanie’s family members
\nand friends sending their well-wishes in an emotional montage.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"The](\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/12\/23\/article-2077805-0F4294F800000578-987_634x397.jpg\")
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\nMerry Little Christmas.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
\nno matter what; you are a star from the inside out… you are that
\nvoice, you are that hero!’ she said, fighting back tears.
<\/span><\/p>\n
\nyou are the most original, you have such a great style about you. You
\nstylized a classic song and you made it Chris Rene style,’ added Paula.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Taking](\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/12\/23\/article-2077805-0F4294D400000578-685_634x447.jpg\")
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\nthat was very very cool and I like you… you are truly an inspiration
\nto a lot of guys out there,’ he said. ‘You are a man of your word… I
\nadmire you very much.’<\/span><\/p>\n
\nwas also shown an emotionally charged video montage of his loved ones,
\nwhich included messages from his sponsors, his mother, and his sister,
\nwho told him that his late father would be extremely proud. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Having](\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/12\/23\/article-2077805-0F4294F000000578-479_634x551.jpg\")
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\nChristmas.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Winning](\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/12\/23\/article-2077805-0F42968000000578-156_634x343.jpg\")
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\nWant For Christmas Is You for her opening song in the finale<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Rock](\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/12\/23\/article-2077805-0F4296B300000578-100_634x412.jpg\")
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\nChristmas <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
\nrepresented this category so well,’ he said. ‘You have been a brilliant
\ncontestant and I have good news for you; you are going to sell millions
\nof records.’<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Crooner:](\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/12\/23\/article-0-0F42946700000578-477_634x836.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nMerry Little Christmas<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nvideo messages featured well-wishes from his girlfriend, his burrito
\nshop co-workers and his father, who said he was particularly proud of
\nhis son. <\/span><\/p>\n![\"Bieber](\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/12\/23\/article-2077805-0F4296FC00000578-549_634x458.jpg\")
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\nlegendary Stevie Wonder<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nthey put on an energetic show, with so much excitement that Amaro
\nnearly fell off the stage as she walked down the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nwas Justin Bieber, who performed The Christmas Song along with the
\nlegendary Stevie Wonder.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n
\nFactor contestant Drew Ryniewic, beckoning her onstage to conclude his
\nrendition of Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. <\/span><\/p>\n![\"sses](\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/12\/23\/article-2077805-0F42970800000578-900_634x383.jpg\")
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\nand praise: Still gushing about the teen since first hearing her voice,
\nBieber reminded the audience of his faith in former X Factor contestant
\nDrew Ryniewic, after she also joined him onstage for the performance\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nprotege, Leona Lewis, who has gone on to have massive success after
\nwinning the X Factor U.K in 2006.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Familiar](\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/12\/23\/article-2077805-0F42A3E400000578-246_634x621.jpg\")
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\nprotege, Leona Lewis, who has gone on to have massive success after
\nwinning the X Factor U.K in 2006<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Stunning:](\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/12\/23\/article-0-0F42A85000000578-111_634x487.jpg\")
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\nLooking stunning wearing a cowl neck gown and lashings of red lipstick,
\nLeona sang her famous rendition of Run by Snow Patrol<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Hip](\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/12\/23\/article-0-0F42A83800000578-121_634x368.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Confident:](\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/12\/23\/article-0-0F42A86C00000578-202_634x382.jpg\")
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\nwas pint-sized rapper Astro, who confidently strode on stage to not only
\njoin rap legend 50 Cent, but also a slew of L.A Lakers players.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nboys were joined by scantily clad ladies dancing in bath tubs and
\nwrithing around couches and a grand piano.
<\/span><\/p>\n
![\"Lucky:](\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/12\/23\/article-0-0F42A85400000578-345_634x341.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"The](\"http:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/i\/pix\/2011\/12\/23\/article-2077805-0F42967400000578-427_634x349.jpg\")
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