‘Rising Stars’ winner robbed of $200k before victory

While Remone Watson was busy on the Digicel Rising Stars campaign trail in preparation for Sunday's finale, there were some plotting to throw a wrench in his plans.

He explained that approximately 48 hours before he was set to contest the finale against Lady J and Sashae Thompson, bikers robbed him of about $200,000 close to the bus park in Montego Bay, St James.

"I collected some money which I was in the process of using to buy credit while campaigning. In the middle of all of that a bike pulled up with two men on it and they took it all," Watson said. It is unclear whether he filed a police report.

The 20-year-old explained that while he was feeling extremely discouraged by the situation, he just "prayed and left it there". However, that wasn't the only difficulty Watson faced on the journey to becoming Rising Stars royalty.

"I am still having issues with my voice. I am supposed to be seeing an ENT [ear nose and throat specialist] soon. But for the most part, it is going on well, and I am trying to rest it as much as I can," he said.

Despite all these challenges, the Hanover native managed to pull through and finish ahead of his competitors to be crowned winner of Digicel's Rising Stars' 19th season.

Celebrations, however, won't be very long, as Watson already has his eyes set on his next conquest.

"My mind is still set on The Voice. I know I can do it, it will just require a lot more work. But I am ready for the challenge," he said confidently.

Watson wants to follow in the footsteps of his mentor Tessanne Chin, who entered The Voice and won almost 10 years ago in 2013.