And the first winner of X Factor USA 2011 is Melanie Amaro! The 19-year-old British Virgin Islands native won over Chris Rene and Josh Krajcik. She won a $5 million recording contract with Sony Music plus a chance to appear in one of Pepsi’s tv commercials.

Amaro, who was sent home and then brought back to the competition was speechless when her name was announced.

“Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god!” was all she could get out through tears before falling to her knees to pray.

“America, thank you for giving this girl an opportunity,” Simon said on her behalf. “She is a star.”

“Thank you so much!” she said. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you. God is good.”

America voted Josh Krajcik in second while Chris Rene on third place.