Melanie Amaro Falls Down On Her Kneels Praying And Crying As She Is Crowned Winner Of X Factor USA 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.

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.

'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.