At the end of a musical night, Mozein Sutherland was tonight (October 2) crowned the winner of the 2022 Digicel Rising Stars competition.

Sutherland is the winner of the 18^th season of the annual singing competition, taking home a grand prize of $1.5 million.

Overwhelmed with excitement, Sutherland channeled his energy into celebratory push ups on stage.

After getting his exercise routine out of the way, Sutherland was a bit tired and speechless but managed to thank Jamaicans for their support.

“Thank you very much to everyone that has voted for me and supported me. My parent, and the whole Jamaica Constabulary Force and everyone in Jamaica,” said Sutherland.

Tonight was the show’s return to the main stage after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time ever, this season saw three contestants vying for the win on the final night.

Taking second place was Robert Ewart, who received $600,000.

The third-place winner was Oshene Watson, the lone woman among the men who walked away with $400,000.

“I am still happy. I am disappointed, but I am still happy,” Watson said.

The night was also filled with performances from past winners such as gospel singer and 2015 winner Jody Kay, Celicea Ellis, second runner up in 2019, and Sherlon Russell, winner of the 2019 competition and Elaine’s wild card who did an original from his upcoming EP.

The trio Island King also had the crowd rocking and grooving to their original song that celebrates island pride, paying tribute to Jamaica’s 60 years of independence.

Consisting of Carl ‘Lee King’ Scharschmidt, Adiel Thomas and Justin Walker, the group had the audience bellowing “I am a champion, I am a champion, celebrate Jamaica!”

Sutherland also did a rendition of John Legend’s Conversations in the Dark.

Ewart diverted from his usual serenade of the ladies to do My Help, a gospel song by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Closing out the final performances was Watson, who lit the place a fire with her rendition of Play With Fire by Nico Santos.

Musical artiste Laa Lee also performed, setting free all the trapped birds in Jamaica with his hit song, Bird.