Australia has crowned FIFO worker and father-of-three Reuben De Melo winner of The Voice 2024.
The 32-year-old soulful performer from Perth was taken aback when host Sonia Kruger announced the life-changing result.
Reuben exclaimed: “I never thought I’d get this far, this is crazy.”
Thrilled, his coach LeAnn Rimes said: “I’m so proud. You deserve every bit of this moment and I’m so honoured that I could be on this journey with you. You are incredible.”
Alongside the coveted title, Reuben won $100,000 in prize money plus a money-can’t-buy music masterclass and industry recording development package.
From his first Blind Audition, Reuben captivated Australian audiences with his soulful voice, impressing superstar coaches Adam Lambert, Kate-Miller Heidke, LeAnn Rimes and Guy Sebastian.
Eager to have him on her team, LeAnn used her Ultimate Block, stating: “I knew as soon as he opened his mouth, and I heard him sing. There was just so much feeling there. There was no way I was letting any of the other coaches get to him before I did.”
In a breathtaking final solo performance of House Of The Rising Sun by The Animals, Rueben left all four coaches in awe, with Kate praising it as “exceptional”.
LeAnn added: “I can’t stop smiling. You just gave it your all. That was just insane.”
LeAnn also joined Reuben for a heartfelt duet of Fix You by Coldplay.
Fellow Grand Finalists Annie Jones, Jaedyn Randell and SKŸE soared with show-stopping performances across the series.
