Australia crowns Reuben De Melo as The Voice champion

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.

Prior to the Grand Finale, the coaches had plenty to say about their finalists.

Adam declares: “Annie, you get up there and something really magical happens. You take the energy in the room, and you make magic with it.” Annie admits: “Being the youngest artist is crazy. I am so grateful that I’m here right now.”

Kate says: “Jaedyn, you are an incredible singer. I love your voice. I want to just dive into it, live there forever.” Jaedyn added: “I’m so grateful. I’m so excited for us to continue to work together.”

LeAnn shares: ‘Reuben, you are the epitome of an artist. You really have such soul. I’m blown away every time you walk on stage.”

“A couple of months ago, I wouldn’t even have thought I’d be here. I’m pretty stoked,” Reuben adds.

Guy says: “SKŸE, there’s something special, something unique, something magical and that’s been really exciting for me as a coach.” SKŸE responds: “Thank you for betting on me, for taking a chance on me.”

See also: The Voice 2024 promising viewers the ‘biggest transformation’ of coaches yet