Beating out millions of hopefuls, the winner of the inaugural season of "The X Factor" was announced during the results show airing on FOX on Thursday night (December 22).

During the course of the evening, Chris Rene was the first of the three finalists to be eliminated, leaving Melanie Amaro and Josh Krajcik as the last two remaining contestants on the FOX competition show.

With Simon Cowell standing beside Miss Amaro and Nicole Scherzinger alongside Mr Krajcik, Melanie was announced as the big winner of the $5,000,000 prize and a recording contract.

Of the triumph, Amaro was completely overwhelmed to the point in which she could barely speak, only uttering, Oh my God, Oh My God!"

The finale show also featured performances by Justin Bieber with special guests Drew Ryniewicz and Stevie Wonder, along with Leona Lewis, 50 Cent and R. Kelly, whose duet with Melanie on the song "I Believe I Can Fly" can be watched in the player above!




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