X-FACTOR US: Melanie Amaro's tears of joy as she's crowned first winner of X Factor USA

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

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.

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.