Newly minted 2023 Digicel Rising Stars winner Remone Watson says his drive and passion to inspire others with what he terms as life-changing music was what led him to enter the singing competition.

Watson, a 20-year-old Hanover resident, walked away with the title on Sunday night at the grand finale which was aired on Television Jamaica (TVJ).

Lady J and Sashe were second and third, respectively.

“My dream is for my voice to be heard with the hopes of changing the mindset of both the youth and adults by rendering heartfelt performances and writing life-changing music to inspire others,” Watson shared in an interview with the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday.

Watson, a fan favourite from the outset of the competition, said he was encouraged by friends and family members to enter Digicel Rising Stars.

“My community, family and friends encouraged me to enter. Over the years, I have gotten suggestions from several individuals that I should join the competition because of my talent and gift for singing. They even suggested that I could win the competition,” he said.

Continuing, Watson said he was always a fan of the competition.

“I was always a fan of the show. I’ve been watching it from I was in primary school [Claremont All-Age and Primary] while hoping that one day I could be on it. But with a sheltered home and a stern grandmother, I had to change my mindset from entering,” he shared.

He described his journey throughout the competition.

“My journey can be described as one that I was destined for. I enjoyed every bit of it. At times I felt as though I would give up, but I always hold dear to my heart [the saying], ‘If yuh want good yuh nose haffi run,” Watson reasoned.

The Voice winner and one-time Digicel Rising Stars judge Tessanne Chin was one of Watson’s biggest supporters throughout the competition, and even acted as his vocal coach.

“Tessanne has been such a great role model for Jamaican vocalists, and I aspire to be just that while also making myself, my guardians, and Jamaica proud. She ‘vocally’ tells the story that Jamaica can be great if we shine a positive light upon the face of Jamaica,” said Watson.

Asked if he knew he would have been the winner from the outset, Watson said: “My initial objective was to win; however, each week I was humbled by the talents of my fellow contestants, and with that being said I could’ve only put in the work that was needed to be done in order to gain confidence.”

He also shared the highlight of being in the competition.

“The high point, for me, was coming there each week excited to see the other contestants, and also my producer [Sharon Schroeter], who was like a mother to me throughout the competition,” said the elated winner.

Watson, a past student of the Rusea’s High school in Lucea, later on studied with York University in Canada.

“I started York University doing an online associate degree, which turned out to be a bachelor’s [degree] with me doing an extra two years in the study of law paralegal,” Watson shared.

At the outset of the novel coronavirus pandemic, Watson ventured into cabaret singing. He has performed at hotels including Hedonism, Holiday Inn, Sandals, and Iberostar.

Asked what he intends to do with the $1.5-million prize money that he won from the competition, Watson said: “There are many things to do with that reward; however, it is a process to be thought through because there’s a lot of work to do.”