28-year old theatre actress A’rese wins debut The Voice Nigeria title (Photos)

A'rese of TeamWaje has won the inaugural The Voice Nigeria crown.She beat out #TeamPatoranking’s Chike, #TeamTimi’s Cornel and #Team2baba’s Brenda – as well as another hundred talented singers who appeared in The Blinds - in a thrilling finale on 31 July 2016.
Real name Agharese Emokpae, A’rese comes from a creative family and has been doing music theatre ever since she graduated from Washington and Lee University in 2010. She has starred in various musicals and theatre productions in both Nigeria and the United States.

 The finale started out with the eight singers you Nigerians put through to the finale, but following a round of performances – with all the tracks being made available on iTunes – we said goodbye to #TeamWaje’s Patrick, #TeamPatoranking’s Nonso Bassey, #TeamTimi’s Dewe’ and #Team2baba’s Brenda.

 The Top 4 then took to the stage, and A’rese again wowed with a heartfelt version of Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah”. Waje described her as “unique” and “a once-in-a-generation voice,” followed by a very teary proclamation: “Talent is a gift from God".

Then IK announced the Top 2: A’rese was up against #TeamPatoranking’s Chike. Then it was time to announce the winner, and A’rese was embraced by her Chike and her overjoyed coach as she took the inaugural The Voice Nigeria title.