19 year old Melanie Amaro was last night crowned the first X Factor USA winner, walking away with a $5 million recording contract and a Pepsi commercial lead.
Melanie was born in Sunrise, Florida but grew up to the British Virgin Islands from the age 3., captivated the heart of millions with her musical notes.
Melanie who was mentored by Simon Cowell was speechless after learning about her fate, beating out second place 30-year-old singer Josh Krajcik of Wooster, Ohio, and 28-year-old singer-rapper Chris Rene, who came in third place.
“Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God,” Amaro repeated after host Steve Jones announced her as the winner. She then struggled through tears to reprise Beyonce’s “Listen”.. Finally after a tearful moment Melanie gave her victory speech ‘Thank you so much! OMG, I don’t know what even to say… God is good…
The three finalist performed classic Christmas tunes, and Justin Bieber, Stevie Wonder, Leona Lewis, Pitbull, Ne-Yo and 50 Cent performed various songs with former contestants.
Melanie and Josh also did a duet on David Bowie’s “Heroes.”
Moments after winning, Melanie told People Magazine , “Life will change a lot. The most I have ever had before was $200, if I was lucky.”
With her winings she plans to buy her mom a house as she said “The one we live in now sucks.”
and that for her she will get some chicken “I can’t live without it,” she says. “It’s my favorite food.
It is a very proud moment for everyone in the Caribbean especially supporters from her second home of British Virgin Islands.
