The X Factor USA season three winning act announced

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The winning act of the third series of X Factor USA has been announced as folk duo Alex & Sierra.

In a live two-hour TV show on Thursday night, the boyfriend and girlfriend team seemed to be in shock at winning the prize of a $1 million (£612,000) record deal with Sony.

"I feel like Christmas just came early. Thank you America," said the couple's mentor, Simon Cowell.

The couple, both 22, sang Say Something after winning the title.

Alex was crying so much, he struggled to get through the performance.

By the time all of the top 13 contestants ran onstage, all dressed in white to congratulate them, everyone else also started crying.

"Thanks America, for not making fun of my weird faces," said Sierra.

Alex & Sierra also sang All I Want for Christmas is You in the finale show.

Finalist Jeff Gutt was announced as the competition's runner-up while Carlito Olivero came third.

In the weeks leading up to the season three finale, Alex Kinsey and Sierra Deaton landed six singles on iTunes' top 100 overall singles chart.

Tate Stevens, a country music artist, won the second season of the X Factor USA securing a $5 million (£3.6m) recording contract with Syco Music and RCA Records in Nashville.

Simon Cowell also won the first series with Melanie Amaro.

Demi Lovato revealed before the show that she would be leaving the judges' line-up.

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