"X Factor" crowned its season three winner on Thursday night, ending a months-long competition that saw three finalists emerge: couple and duo Alex & Sierra, rocker Jeff Gutt and Latino crooner Carlito Olivero.
So who took home the top prize? It came as little surprise to fans of the show that Alex & Sierra were named winners. Favorites from the start, they came into the finals with the most momentum it seemed, even if Gutt and Olivero impressed with their final performances.
Alex & Sierra will receive a million dollar recording contract with Sony Music.
The couple was mentored by show creator and head judge Simon Cowell, who took charge of the groups, but seemed to have won over the rest of the judges' panel as well, including Kelly Rowland, Demi Lovato and Paulina Rubio.
For their finale number, Alex & Sierra sang "Say Something" by A Great Big World, Ed Sheeran's "Give Me Love" and "Bleeding Love" by and with Leona Lewis. For the Dec. 19 Christmas-themed episode, they took on the Mariah Carey favorite "All I Want for Christmas Is You."
Other performers who took the stage for the last show of the season included Mary J. Blige, Pitbull and Glee's Lea Michele, along with "X Factor UK" alums Lewis and One Direction.