It’s a big deal! - Renecia Bernard’s family revels in Digicel Rising Stars second place

Tamika Taylor, proud mother of Digicel Rising Stars 2024 runner-up Renecia Bernard, is beaming with pride as she declares her daughter's achievement a "big deal!"

The grand finale, held on Sunday at Television Jamaica in Kingston, crowned Akeen Fennell as the 20th winner of the hit competition. For her efforts, the 17-year-old Bernard -- affectionately dubbed 'the voting machine' -- walked away with a whopping $600,000 and other prizes.

In a competition where the fate of the contestants is determined by public votes, Bernard's journey was nothing short of thrilling. After initially being voted off, she made a spectacular comeback as a wild card contestant.

Taylor said they were determined not to leave anything to chance throughout the competition. She said that there was a strong focus on getting out the votes.

"As soon as I got word that she was chosen in the top 10, I hit the ground. I started notifying my people, having them mobilised, and it was just pure excitement. We were a bit disappointed when we realised that the live show started and we weren't seeing her in the first set, so when she got called for the wild card sing off, that was just amazing," Taylor told THE STAR.

The excited mother shared, "I'm so elated. I did everything that I had to do to ensure that she got to this point tonight, and with her being placed second, it is such a big deal for us. She has made us proud."

The young entertainer's father, Carnagie Bernard, joined in the celebration, expressing his gratitude to the supporters who rallied behind their family throughout the campaign.

"I'm very, very happy, and we want to say thanks to all the people who have been beside us all along for the campaign," he told THE STAR.

As for Bernard herself, she's already cooking up plans for her future.

"I will continue the culinary arts, music, of course. I want to be a paediatric nurse still, beautician; a lot of things are in the order," Bernard said.