Melanie Amaro was crowned the first U.S. winner of The X Factor on Thursday night.
The 19-year-old British Virgin Islands native beat Chris Rene and Josh Krajcik for the inaugural title and a $5 million recording contract.
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“I’ve seen this massive progression with you both as a person and as a singer,” said her mentor and head judge, Simon Cowell, after Amaro performed “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” a holiday song made famous by her idol, Mariah Carey.
It capped off an emotional journey for the college student, who was initially eliminated during the judges’ house rounds only to be asked back by Cowell, who believed he had made a mistake.
While Cowell has reason to celebrate, many viewers took to Twitter to give their own reactions, with many supporting Amaro but others lamenting the fact that one of the other two finalists didn’t take the title. Among their reactions:
Former American Idol finalist Elliott Yamin:
Man, this chick melanie on the x factor can really sang!
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Brooke Walker
So glad Melanie Amaro won X-Factor! She’s an outstanding singer and I’m in awe of her voice. Her words when she won were “God is good”
Yandy Smith
Aaaaawwww here I go again crying watching X Factor. Go Melanie!!!!! *wipes tears and snot. Smh. Woohooooo!!!!!!! Love you Chris and Marcus
Sean Smith
wowwww congrats to Josh Krajcik placing 2nd in the X factor! he was by far the best talent on the show! Columbus represent!!!!
Dee Kosh
Melanie Amaro won X factor – thank you America for voting for the best SINGER of the three …..
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Austin D. Jordan
CONGRATULATIONS Melanie Amaro (@ItsMelanieAmaro) you ARE THE X FACTOR!
Kris Reii
So the chic w/ the fake accent won X Factor? But ALL she does is BALLADS. Is that REALLY worth 5 million bucks?
Laurie Bedigian
‘The X Factor’ ends on a high note
Josh Duncan
Melanie was good but @drewryniewicz should have won X-Factor!
Piper Melody Reeves
I wish @drewryniewicz had won the x-factor!
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Andres Mercado
I believe melanie from X factor its great but chris its really original and super talented im overwhelmed with his talent! #clapclap
Stephanie Reinert
Congrats Melanie and SIMON!!!! I love you, @SimonCowell <3 <3 X Factor = wayyyy better than American Idol, the end.
Yandy Smith
Aaaaawwww here I go again crying watching X Factor. Go Melanie!!!!! *wipes tears and snot. Smh. Woohooooo!!!!!!! Love you Chris and Marcus
Michael Buckley
The winner of X Factor should make an album with the winner of The Voice so that way they will sell two copies! #ItGetsBetter
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Cheryl Young
Melanie won X-factor~ sighh really wanted Chris Rene to win! ?
Asiaa Rozay
Its over , I wish everybody STFU about X-Factor , that girl dont even kno yall !
Cheisa Naima
uhm, its pretty obvious that every person who made it to the top 6 of X factor have a bright future ahead of them… just saying(:
