Tessanne Chin receiving her award

NEW YORK, CMC – Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller Wednesday led the praises for singer Tessanne Chin, who won the NBC’s The Voice season five competition on Tuesday night, landing herself a record deal with Universal Music and a first prize of US$100,000.

“By being ‘The Voice’ you have joined the ranks of a long list of outstanding Jamaican achievers who have held the flag high internationally and confirm to the world that we are a nation of world beaters on the world class stage.”

“You have been a fine ambassador for Jamaica during this grueling competition and your voice; your victory will now serve to set the new standard for others to follow. We in Jamaica tonight feel a special pride that you are one of us and we look forward to celebrating with you in a larger and appropriate way on your return to the island,” Prime Minister Simpson Miller said in a statement.

Chin had been stunning audiences with her renditions over the past four weeks and crowned her success on Monday night with her rendition of the late Whitney Houston’s hit “I have Nothing”.

During the results show Tuesday night, Tessanne delivered a scintillating performance with her idol, the legendary Celine Dion. The duo sang ‘Love can move Mountains’, which was released by Dion in 1992.

The 28-year-old Jamaican singer beat out rivals Jacquie Lee and Will Champlin to win the fifth season of the television singing contest that ended Tuesday in a star-studded season finale that featured performances by Lady Gaga and Dion.

The singer cried as she struggled to process the news as Michael, her husband and her mother Christine embraced.

‘A better coach for me I could not find. It has been an absolute pleasure. You are just a great, solid guy.

‘You’ve been a shoulder to cry on, you’ve been a friend. I love you. I trust you,” Chin told her coach, Adam Levine.

In her congratulatory message, Prime Minister Simpson Miller said she was aware “of the significant role Jamaicans at home and in the Diaspora have played in helping you to achieve this signal honour with their love, support, affection and encouragement.

“This only goes to show what, as a people, Jamaicans can achieve when we put our hands and hearts together and pull together,” the Prime Minister said.

Youth and Culture Minister Lisa Hanna said “Tessanne was the best voice and performer on the programme.

“I speak on behalf of the country when I say that we are all happy for her success. I am very pleased that so many more people across the world did get, and will get, to see what we already knew – that Tessanne is an amazing singer who enchants her audiences, not only with her beautiful voice, but with Jamaican grace and charm as well. She is an excellent role model and outstanding representative of Jamaican culture,” she said in a statement.

Jerome Hamilton of Headline Entertainment, one of Chin’s booking agents, said he expected her to win.

“It is a great win for Tessanne, the artiste, and a great thing for Jamaica. It is a wonderful opportunity for her and it will once again shine light on Jamaica,” Hamilton said, while Opposition Spokesperson on Youth, Sports, Culture, Entertainment and Gender Affairs, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, said Chin has “ not only showcased our country in a positive way, but has highlighted and reflected the tremendous talent, tenacity and determination with which Jamaicans are associated”