BY RICHARD JOHNSON

Senior staff reporter

johnsonr@jamaicaobserver.com

On September 3, Jamaican singer Tessanne Chin took to Twitter to announce that she had auditioned for the NBC talent show The Voice.

Here is a look back at Tessanne’s journey on The Voice.

Tuesday, September 24

After waiting up through a two-hour season opener of The Voice the night before, Jamaicans were finally able to see Chin audition for the coaches — Christina Aguilera, CeeLo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton.

Chin chose Try by rock act Pink and wowed all four judges.

After the individual pitches by the judges, Chin decides to become a member of Team Adam.

Monday, October 14

It was time to reduce the number by a half via the battle rounds. Chin was pitted against teammate Donna Allen performing Emeli Sandé’s Next To Me.

It was then up to Levine to make the announcement.

“You both know how I feel about you. Tess, you make everything so effortless,” he said before naming Chin as his winner.

Tuesday, October 29

The knockout round of the competition saw her going up against Ashley Dubose.

She delivered a powerful rendition of Kelly Clarkson’s Stronger, which was too much for Dubose.

Monday, November 4

During her early years Chin toured and provided background vocals for reggae legend Jimmy Cliff.

For her first live performance Levine chose the Cliff classic Many Rivers To Cross.

During rehearsals Levine raised the key of the song in order to heighten the emotion. Chin delivered another amazing performance.

“I don’t know where to begin with you,” said the Maroon 5 frontman. “Your talent is just mind-boggling.”

Thursday, November 7

This would be the first elimination show of The Voice to decide the top 12.

Each team is allowed three members — two chosen by the public and one by the team’s coach.

James Wolpert and the Jamaican powerhouse receive the highest votes. Will Champlin was saved by Levine.

Monday, November 11

For the second live performance Levine chose My Kind Of Love by Emeli Sandé. Chin dedicated the track to her husband, Michael Anthony Cuffe Jr.

“This show is called The Voice, and you have got it to a degree that is astounding,” Levine gushed following the performance.

Tuesday, November 12

By the end of this live elimination show Tessanne Chin was firmly in the top 10 along with James Wolpert, Will Champlin, Cole Vosbury, Caroline Pennell, Matthew Schuler, Austin Jenckes, Jacquie Lee, and Ray Boudreaux. Kat Robichaud was saved by Twitter voters.

Josh Logan and Johnny Grey were eliminated.

Monday, November 18

Chin’s diversity and talent were on show during her performance of the soulful If I Were Your Woman by Gladys Knight.

“This has solidified your place on the show as a major, major contender,” commented coach Levine.

Her performance would only be outshone by an appearance by the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, who showed up to support his fellow Jamaican.

Tuesday, November 19

Two spots were up for elimination and there were nervous moments. Chin’s name was the fifth of the eight to be called as those who were safe.

The other contestants who joined Chin were James Wolpert, Will Champlin, Matthew Schuler, Ray Boudreaux, Jacquie Lee, Cole Vosbury, and Caroline Pennell who was saved by live votes on Twitter.

Austin Jenckes and Kat Robichaud were eliminated.

Monday, November 25

Christina Aguilera had suggested that Chin should show some more of her Jamaican accent.

Coach Levine listened and Chin sprinkled The Voice with reggae — Underneath It All by No Doubt featuring Jamaican deejay Lady Saw.

Chin was in her element as she sang and ‘deejayed’ her way into the hearts of many.

Coach Levine commented that he was proud that they could find a way to tie Jamaica and America in the NBC TV competition.

Tuesday, November 26

There was no guarantee that Chin’s reggae-rocking performance could get her into the top six.

But by the end of the night she was safely home along with James Wolpert, Will Champlin, Jacquie Lee and Cole Vosbury. Matthew Schuler was saved by voters on Twitter.

Caroline Pennell and Ray Boudreaux were sent home.

Monday, December 2

This week each singer would perform two tracks.

Chin was given Marley’s Redemption Song and Unconditionally by Katy Perry.

“You’re a world class vocalist,” said Blake Shelton. “You can sing with the best vocalists in the world. I haven’t seen anything quite like you on this show.”

Tuesday, December 3

When the top five was named, again Jamaicans at home and abroad could exhale as their singer was safe.

This week it was Matthew Schuler who was sent home. The other contestants who would move into the semi-finals with Chin were Cole Vosbury, Jacquie Lee and Will Champlin. James Wolpert of Team Adam was saved by Twitter voters.

Monday, December 9

This was semi-final night. Five contestants were vying for the three spots in the finals scheduled for December 17.

Many were worried about the choice of song — Simon and Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water. A 15-second-long note to close the performance sealed the deal for what many considered the performance of the night, and possibly her best of the competition. This recording raced to number one on iTunes.

Tuesday, December 10

The live results show proved nerve-racking for Chin and her legion of Jamaican fans. The Jamaican singer watched as her teammate James Wolpert was eliminated, and was in tears as she awaited her fate.

But when the show’s host, Carson Daly, announced that Chin was the contestant who received the highest number of votes to move on to the finals, her relief was obvious, and Jamaicans at home and abroad cheered wildly. Tessanne had created history as the first Jamaican to make it that far in the popular contest.