Josh is runner up as Chris comes in third place on all-star finalBy Jade Watkins and Chris Johnson f...

1. 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 for MailOnline
Updated: 10:37 GMT, 23 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.

2. 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

3. 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.
'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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. Give
us a hug! Mentor Simon Cowell reaches in to give Amaro a cuddle following the thrilling news

7. Congratulatory hugs: Amaro embraced Kracjik upon finding out she had taken the top prize
Gracious: Kracjik made an extremely gracious exit from the show, after coming in a close second
'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.

8. 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.

9. What
just happened? Amaro looked somewhat confused as to what had just happened

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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.'

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.Â
'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.'

20. 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.

21. 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

22. 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.Â
Bieber then later surprised former X Factor contestant Drew Ryniewic, beckoning her onstage to
conclude his rendition of Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.

23. 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
performanceÂ
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.Â
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.

24. 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

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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

28. Famous face: Actress Zoey Deschanel cheered on the contestants from the crowd
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