The powerful 19-year-old vocalist from Sunrise, Fla., won the Fox talent competition Thursday over soulful 30-year-old singer Josh Krajcik of Wooster, Ohio.
Amaro, who was mentored by judge Simon Cowell and was at one point eliminated then reinstated to 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 champion.
The crowd cheered. Her supporters rushed onstage, surrounding Amaro, who briefly fell to her knees, as though in prayer.
“America, thank you for giving this girl an opportunity,” head judge Simon Cowell said.
The holiday-themed finale capped off an adventurous journey for Amaro, who is from Sunrise and attended Plantation High School. It began earlier this year, when she tried out for the show as part of its cross-country auditions.
She made it in. But at one point Amaro was eliminated by Cowell. Saying he had made a mistake, Cowell flew from Los Angeles to South Florida to beg her to return to the program’s stage.
"I want to say, 'America, thank you for giving this girl an opportunity,'" said Cowell.
Krajcik, the struggling single father who delivered a stripped down rendition of "At Last" for his final routine, seemed content with his status as "X Factor" runner-up to Amaro, who was born in the British Virgin Islands.
"Melanie deserves it," Krajcik said. "She has a wonderful voice. I had such an incredible experience here. I got to be myself, sing what I want to sing, and I couldn't be happier."
Chris Rene, the recovering 28-year-old singer-rapper from Santa Cruz, Calif., came in third place.
Before the winner was unveiled, the three finalists crooned classic Christmas tunes, and Justin Bieber, Stevie Wonder, Leona Lewis, Pitbull, Ne-Yo and 50 Cent performed various songs with former contestants. Amaro and Krajcik also dueted on David Bowie's "Heroes."
Unlike "American Idol," the contest was open to both solo singers and groups, and had a lower minimum age of 12 and no upper age limit.
After Amaro, a Broward College nursing student, performed her final number, sung through tears and amid a mob of hugs from fellow contestants, Cowell closed out the final show of the season with one last thought:
“We came here to find a superstar. We found a superstar.”
The judges also served as mentors. Cowell represented female vocalists, including Amaro; L.A. Reid headed male singers, including Rene; Nicole Scherzinger was in charge of over-30 singers, including Krajcik; and Paula Abdul helmed the groups.
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