Los Angeles - Country singer Tate Stevens and young pop princess Carly Rose Sonenclar competed head to head for the coveted title of the newest US X Factor winner during an epic finale.
Tate Stevens, who was mentored by music executive LA Reid on the second season of The X Factor, walked away as the winner of Season 2 of the hit US singing competition.
The 37-year-old country singer from Missouri beat runner-up Carly Rose Sonenclar, a 13-year-old schoolgirl from Westchester, New York, and teenage girl group Fifth Harmony on the finale that aired live on Friday morning at 03:00 on M-Net.
Stevens wins a $5m recording contract.
35 million votes cast
More than 35 million votes were cast by viewers after Wednesday's performance show.
Besides Reid, judges this season included Demi Lovato, Britney Spears and British series creator Simon Cowell.
Thursday's show was also the grand finale for Reid.
Earlier this month, he said he wouldn't be returning to The X Factor next year. No replacement has yet been announced.
A repeat of the shows will be aired on Saturday at 17:00 and Sunday at 15:00 on M-Net.
Tate Stevens, who was mentored by music executive LA Reid on the second season of The X Factor, walked away as the winner of Season 2 of the hit US singing competition.
The 37-year-old country singer from Missouri beat runner-up Carly Rose Sonenclar, a 13-year-old schoolgirl from Westchester, New York, and teenage girl group Fifth Harmony on the finale that aired live on Friday morning at 03:00 on M-Net.
Stevens wins a $5m recording contract.
35 million votes cast
More than 35 million votes were cast by viewers after Wednesday's performance show.
Besides Reid, judges this season included Demi Lovato, Britney Spears and British series creator Simon Cowell.
Thursday's show was also the grand finale for Reid.
Earlier this month, he said he wouldn't be returning to The X Factor next year. No replacement has yet been announced.
A repeat of the shows will be aired on Saturday at 17:00 and Sunday at 15:00 on M-Net.