There were tears - and more tears - when The X Factor USA finalists took to the stage on Wednesday for the last time.
The three remaining acts - Alex & Sierra, Jeff Gutt and Carlito Olivero - performed on the eve of the season's final show.
All the contestants cried repeatedly as the reality of winning a $1 million recording contract got even closer. See more photos
The finalists: Alex & Sierra, Carlito Olivera and Jeff Guitt performed on Wednesday in the penultimate episode of The X Factor
Each act sang three times and were joined by special guests including Leona Lewis.
And judge Paulina Rubio even got on stage herself to sing in an eye-popping performance.
The title was up for the taking as viewers began to cast their votes upon the show's conclusion.
Racy side: Paulina Rubio and climbed atop her dancers
Up for grabs: Demi Lovato confessed that she didn't know which act was going to win
Rocking it: The three final acts teamed up to sing Queen's We Will Rock You
'Tens of thousands of acts auditioned. And now we are down to the final three,' said host Mario Lopez.
'I was the underdog but tonight I'm going to show everybody I'm not to be underestimated,' said 24-year-old Latino hunk Carlito Olivero, who is on Paulina's 'Boys' team, at the start of the two-hour broadcast.
'I want it so bad,' he said before he sang. 'There is no fairytale for me in my life if I don't win this competition.'
'To go from that to this is something that I never thought was possible,' he added.
For family: Carlito talked about how much he needed to win the competition to help out his family
'You came across real, like a fighter,' said Paulina of first meeting him.
'He was homeless, for many, many months,' she told viewers.
'My family's been through so much,' Carlito added.
'We didn't have it easy,' said his dad, Carlos, as mother Hilda cried next to him.
'This isn't a game to me. It's for my family. This is our one chance. I need this,' Carlito said with tears in his eyes.
He's a fighter: Carlito performed a redux of Maria Maria by Carlos Santana
He covered Impossible by Shontelle, first singing in Spanish before switching to English.
Paulina and his parents were in tears as he descended from the sky.
The studio audience and those watching in his home town of Chicago, Illinois went crazy as he finished.
'You always leave your heart on the stage,' said Kelly Rowland..
Demi praised the 'passionate' performance but said he needed to let go a little.
Showing support: Carlito's supporters jammed his former elementary school in Chicago to cheer him on
'I really learned that I have to respect you,' said Simon, who praised his tenacity.
'You're not the best singer, but that's not necessarily a problem.'
Paulina urged viewers to vote for him, adding: 'We need the support for Carlito tonight.'
The cameras then panned to the scenes at his former Ravenswood Elementary School in Chicago, .
Dozens of fans had gathered to show support, while similar scenes played out in Detroit, Michigan for Jeff and in Daytona Beach, Florida for Alex & Sierra.
Motown love: Jeff was moved by the support from his hometown of Detroit, Michigan
A pizza maker held up a pie in the shape of an X while one of his oldest pals shouted out his support as Carlito began to cry again.
Real-life lovebirds, Alex Kinsey and Sierra Deaton, both 22, were up next.
'Representing America, it's Alex & Sierra,' said Groups mentor Simon cheekily before a montage played.
'It's insane. We're just two normal college kids,' said Sierra.
'I tried to nurture what he had,' Alex's dad John said, saying his son always loved music.
Emotional artists: Alex and Sierra have shared the emotional journey together
'I thought this was a joke,' Simon admitted as he recalled first seeing them audition.
'I had to beg him for a month and a half,' Sierra said of trying to get Alex to try out.
She said he only agreed when he heard Simon Cowell was among the judges - and admitted he teared up when he learned Simon would be their mentor.
'Alex has definitely made me a better person,' said a crying Sierra. 'Being in the finale with my best friend means everything.'
The pair sang Ed Sheeran's Give Me Love - with Sierra singing and Alex on guitar as they showed off the chemistry that has made them fan favorites.
Fan favourites: Alex and Sierra were called America's favourite couple by the mayor of Daytona Beach
'Y'all sound even better now,' said Kelly, who said 'any [record] label' would sign them up.
'I would sign you!' she said.
Demi said she was 'blown away'.
'I'm genuinely a fan,' she said, confessing that she listens to the pair on her iPod.
Paulina added: 'You have that X factor, guys.'
'It has been genuinely an honor working with you two,' said Simon, who said he believed he had finally found American stars who would be famous the world over.
In Daytona Beach, their favorite restaurant revealed the pair now have an entree named after them - the Alex & Sierra Shark Attack wrap, as her Irish dance teacher introduced a jig in their honour as Alex started to cry.
Hometown suipport: Alex and Sierra were touched by the support of their hometown of Daytona Beach, Florida
Single dad Jeff Gutt admitted this was his last chance.
The 37-year-old Detroit rocker said: 'These opportunities don't come around for people of my age. It's right in front of me.
'And all I have to do is go ahead and take it. And I'm going to.'
'He's doing it for the heart of Detroit,' said Over-25s mentor Kelly Rowland.
Jeff auditioned last year but didn't make it past the boot camp stage. So he tried again for his son Talon.
Let's go dad! Jeff son Talon cheered him on
'He loves you,' said Kelly.
'I would not be able to do it if he wasn't in my life,' he said.
'I think he wants it the worst,' said Kelly. 'He's been waiting for so long.'
He cried as he thanked Kelly, then gave her a gift - a framed photo of the two of them together, as Kelly shed tears on the picture.
Thoughtful gesture: Jeff gave his mentor Kelly a photo of them together
'I've been waiting 37 years for this one chance,' he added.
He showed off his tattooed arms as he sang Dream On by Aerosmith, demonstrating his powerful voice as he was raised up in the air amid a neon light show as Talon watched.
'You took it to a whole new level,' said Demi.
The judges said they couldn't hear him - but the audience certainly could judging by their reaction.
'You're a rock star, baby,' said Paulina.
'This is the very first time where I've believed that you believe that you can win,' said Simon.
Rocker style: Jeff Gutt knocked it out of the yard singing Dream On by Aerosmith
He compared some rockers on the show to 'fake Rolexes' for sale in Hong Kong.
'And I know the real thing,' he said a little smugly. 'I can't imagine a record company not signing you after that.'
'I have one word for you, Gutt,' said Kelly. 'A-ma-zing!'
Back in Detroit, hockey legend Dino Ciccarelli was on hand to praise Jeff as he hosted a party for him as Jeff also burst into tears.
The hopefuls then returned to duet with guest stars.
Carlito performed with Latin pop star Prince Royce.
They sang a cover of Ben E. King's Stand by Me, switching between Spanish and English, dancing for the female fans screaming in the audience, before Prince praised his 'upcoming young talented Latino' singing partner.
'Handclaps all around,' said Kelly.
'You have what it takes to become a Latino pop star,' said Demi.
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