Marlisa Punzalan, the 15-year-old from Sydney has been announced as the winner of X Factor Australia 2014.
The pint-sized student from Sydney took out the reality singing series over rocker Dean Ray, who was mentored by Natalie Bassingthwaighte and heavily touted to take out the 2014 prize.
“This has been the tightest result in X Factor history,” the show’s host, Luke Jacobs said before reading the results. “There is literally a 0.01% difference in the votes. It is so close.”
Punzalan chose Titanium by Sia and David Guetta for her final performance, while Dean Ray sang George Ezra’s Budapest.
Marlisa, who was mentored throughout the journey by Ronan Keating was overcome with emotion once she was announced the winner of the series in it’s fifth season in Australia.
“I just cant believe it!” Marlisa exclaimed on stage, “I feel like I’m floating on a cloud right now! Thank you so much Australia, I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Ronan, similarly overjoyed exclaimed, “It’s only taken me five years!”
Marlisa told the Daily Telegraph, “It means the universe to me. My dreams have come true. I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me but I’m so happy, and I will make the most of this opportunity.”
“It’s probably the fans out west and the Filipinos. I am really grateful, I couldn’t have done it without them. ”
The ratings-smash finale saw a super-star lineup of local and international act to seal the successful season.
Australian Idol alum Jessica Mauboy took to the stage to sing her latest single Can I Get A Moment which was produced by chart topper Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds.
Jess was joined by Olly Murs and Guy Sebastian who also returned to the stage after performing alongside the final three groups in part one of the final the night before. Sebastian also sang his single Mama Ain’t Proud.
Sebastian said: ‘This is my first arena tour and their massive venues which means I can go nuts on the production!’
The show’s final 13 also reunited at the beginning of the show and returned to the stage to perform a chilling rendition of Katy Perry’s Dark Horse.
Special guest Taylor Swift, brought the house down performing her new hit Shake It Off. The country-turned pop star turned up the wow-factor with full production, back-up dancers and a green two-piece outfit to boot.
Rumours began swirling that this might be Ronan’s last gig as an X Factor Australia judge after he said to Marlisa in part one of the finale, ‘If this is my last year on the show I hope that I can leave with a worthy winner like you’.
Image source: Channel 7