Schoolgirl singer-songwriter Grace VanderWaal was crowned the winner of America's Got Talent on Wednesday and took home the $1m top prize.
The 12-year-old ukulele player burst into tears and sank to her knees in shock as host Nick Cannon announced the result on the season 11 finale of the hit NBC talent show.
Grace, who has been compared by Simon Cowell to Taylor Swift, beat out mind-reading duo The Clairvoyants, with NFL star and magician Jon Dorenbos finishing in third place.
The winner: Grace VanderWaal after performing an original song on Wednesday during a two-hour season finale was named the winner of America's Got Talent
Howie Mandel, who championed the singer and struck his Golden Buzzer for her, bounded up onto the stage to hug the little girl as tears streamed down her face and she had to be comforted.
'These are tears of joy right?' asked Nick as the youngster sobbed at the conclusion of the live show at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
'Yes, of course,' she managed to reply as her achievement sank in.
'You sang that every person is a shining star, well you are a shooting star. You are on your way, you are so special,' Howie told her.
Tears of joy: The 12-year-old singer burst into tears of joy after winning the $1 million prize
Nerves: Grace looked riddled with nerves as she waited for the result
Victory giggles: The little girl was overjoyed to see her name in lights -literally
Nick kicked off the two-hour show by revealing that tens of millions of votes had been received following the live performance show on Tuesday and it had been the biggest ever vote for AGT.
The show then recapped the performances of all 10 contestants as well as the back stage reactions afterwards before the contestants took part in mash-up performances with guest stars.
First up was singing pizza-delivery guy Sal Valentinetti who performed The Four Seasons hit song December, 1963 (Oh, What A Night). alongside the cast of hit Broadway musical Jersey Boys.
Her champion: Howie Mandel who pressed his Golden Buzzer for Grace rushed to the stage to congratulate her
Overcome with emotion: Grace's glee was palpable as she revelled in her new found glory
Standing ovation: Heidi Klum and Simon Cowell stood and applauded as Grace was named the winner
Number one! Grace was overjoyed following the big announcement
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