by Todd Betzold

 

Grab a chair and a blanket...it's going to be a while before we find out the winner of Season 1 on tonight's The X Factor?

 

We start out the night with the Top 12 acts performing together...it's weird...I forgot who some of them were. It's been a long season.

 

We have a night of the acts singing Christmas songs and up first is Melanie Amaro. Singing "All I Want For Christmas" and I was hoping Mariah would come out and join her, but no luck. We then get to see some video messages from her friends and family...cue the tears!

 

Time for Chris Rene to get his stage time. He gets some very positive messages from the judges before we see the video message from his friends and family and oh my, did that make me cry even more. For the first time, a little part of me wants him to win...his son was so cute!

 

The last of the finalist to hit the stage is Josh Krajcik singing his Christmas song. More video messages from friends and family and bring on the tears, but which even brought him to tears. What he said at the end: "Yeah...my life is beginning to make sense." Such a good statement and he just won me over...I want him to win.

 

Time for the first big star performance: Justin Bieber. He starts out singing one of his Christmas songs, but then out comes Stevie Wonder...now there is a true star! Justin sings another song, before calling out Drew, she has said she is one of his biggest fans, and she gets to sing the final line of the song with him...she looked like she loved it.

 

Time for some results: we are going to find out who ended up in third place (I think it is going to be Josh). Steve Jones announces that in third place is Chris Rene (wow, I am shocked...I thought he was going to be the winner). I never wanted him to be there, but those video messages tonight made me have a soft spot for him. That leaves us with Melanie and Josh (yay...I would be happy with either of them winning).

 

We take a look at the five most shocking moments of the season, including #1 being my girl Rachel being sent home. Then Leona Lewis takes the stage singing as we take a look back at highlights from the season.

 

We get a chance to talk with both Melanie and Josh, who are backstage waiting for the results. Then they take a look back at the clashes and drama between Simon and L.A. before 50 Cent takes the stage. Of course, during his performance Astro comes out to join him...fun to see.

 

Now time to get a cry-off contest between Paula and Nicole, with Nicole coming out the winner. Then we get a performance from Pitbull and Ne-Yo, which is fun to watch and then Marcus Canty comes out and joins them, so a happy moment for him.

 

Before we get to the results, we get to see a duet between Josh and Melanie. It was enjoyable, but I just want to know who the winner is! We take another break before we finally get to the results. After dragging it out for two hours, Steve announces that the winner of The X Factor is Melanie!!! I am happy for both of them to be here, but I love her, if it wasn't Rachel. Do you all think the whole season was set-up for her to win? Simon sending her home, but then bringing her back...drama for ratings? She cries through her last song, but an amazing moment for her...so happy!

 

 

(Image courtesy of Fox)

 

 

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