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TATE STEVENS WINS "THE X FACTOR," A $5 MILLION SONY RECORDING CONTRACT AND A PEPSI MUSIC VIDEO DEBUTING AS A "POP STAR COMMERCIAL" DURING MUSIC'S BIGGEST NIGHT(R)

Spectacular Two-Night Season Finale Featured Superstar Guest Performances by Demi Lovato, One Direction, Pitbull, LeAnn Rimes and Little Big Town

Online Auditions for Season Three of THE X FACTOR are Open Now at www.TheXFactorUSA.com; Los Angeles, CA; Charleston, SC; New Orleans, LA; Long Island, NY; and Denver, CO to Host Open Call Auditions in the Spring

The second season of THE X FACTOR came to an exciting conclusion tonight as Tate Stevens was crowned the winner during a special live two-hour season finale on FOX. Hosts Khloé Kardashian Odom and Mario Lopez revealed that following last night's performance show, Stevens had the highest number of votes over runner-up Carly Rose Sonenclar and second runner-up Fifth Harmony.

Stevens, 37, who was mentored by L.A. Reid, emerged as America's choice and the winner of the coveted THE X FACTOR title and a $5 million recording contract with Sony Music. In addition, this year's winner will also receive production and creative support to develop, create, record and shoot his first original track and music video. The prize culminates with the winner's video premiering as a Pepsi commercial during the live telecast of the "55th Annual GRAMMY Awards(R)."

The star-studded two-night event featured performances from One Direction - the global sensation that rose to fame on the U.K. version of "The X Factor" - and world-renowned rapper Pitbull, as well as a series of duets performed last night by special guests paired up with THE X FACTOR finalists, including country superstar LeAnn Rimes with Carly Rose Sonenclar, pop singer and THE X FACTOR judge Demi Lovato with Fifth Harmony and country music group Little Big Town with Tate Stevens. THE X FACTOR's Top 13 Finalists also reunited for a special performance of "You Are Not Alone," in tribute to the Newtown, CT, families.

Online auditions for the third season of THE X FACTOR are now open through June 15, 2013 at 11:59 PM PT. Solo artists and vocal groups 12 years old and over may submit their two-minute a cappella audition videos at www.TheXFactorUSA.com. In addition to online auditions, aspiring performers will soon be able to participate in open call auditions held in Los Angeles, CA (March 6, 2013); Charleston, SC (March 19, 2013); New Orleans, LA (April 14, 2013); Long Island, NY (April 25, 2013); and Denver, CO (May 14, 2013). Please continue to check www.TheXFactorUSA.com for more information and full terms, conditions and eligibility.

THE X FACTOR was created by Syco Television and is produced by Syco Television and FremantleMedia North America. Rob Wade and Nigel Hall are executive producers for Syco Television. Trish Kinane, Richard Holloway and Andrew Llinares serve as executive producers for FremantleMedia North America. "Like" THE X FACTOR on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TheXFactorUSA. Follow the series on Twitter @TheXFactorUSA and join the discussion at #xfactor.