Rebecca Strong is now $1 million richer after being crowned the winner of Season 3 of Citytv’s “Canada’s Got Talent.”

The Indigenous singer from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, won the reality competition’s $1 million top prize in a two-hour finale featuring eight finalists.

Viewers across Canada voted to determine the winner of what Citytv parent company Rogers billed as the largest cash prize in Canadian television history.

Finalists were selected from more than 100 musical, dance, comedy and novelty acts.

The funky dance duo from Vancouver Island won second place.

Jacksun Fryer of Nanaimo’s Funkanometry and Carlow Rush took a risk and put the flow of their routine in the hands of judges Howie Mandel, Lilly Singh, Trish Stratus and Kardinal Offishall, who could control them “like a video game” with palettes that read faster. , more slowly or in reverse. As they danced to Queen’s We Are the Champions, the duo adjusted their routine to fit the directive.

Singh was amazed that they decided to “take the biggest moment of their lives and leave it to the judges.”

“Throughout this season, everyone has been cheering for you. You are definitely a favorite of so many people across the country,” Offishall said after their performance.

In a video before taking the stage, Rush said their journey on Canada’s Got Talent was incredible.

“We’ve always dreamed of being on a show like this in our own country,” Fryer said. “The secret to Funkanometry is mixing old school with new school… If there’s good music, I’ll dance to it.”

The hip hop and popping dance duo have already reached the semi-finals of America’s Got Talent in 2022, and are the second Central Island act to advance to the Canada’s Got Talent finals in two years – Lantzville’s Raymond Salgado also participated in the season. final in 2023.

Meanwhile, another BC artist, Mission’s Eshan Sobti, finished third in the competition after a rendition of David Guetta and Sia’s “Titanium” on the final episode.

Sobti qualified for the final through public voting after last week’s episode. The Mission singer previously performed Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “The Power of Love” during the elimination round last week and received a standing ovation for Whitney Houston’s “How Will I Know” during the audition.

During the finale, Sobti and his parents were interviewed about his pursuit of music. After a performance of “Titanium”, Sobti was congratulated by judges Kardinal Offishall, Trish Stratus and Lilly Singh.

Stratus said judges could consider the million-dollar winner after the performance.

“I’m a little emotional because it’s your story that sets everyone’s heart on fire and I know that’s what Canada felt when they voted for you. They felt it. They felt it. knew. They saw your talent. I got goosebumps,” Stratus said.

“Imagine if you actually gave up,” Offishall said. “You wouldn’t be in this position here, killing him tonight.” It’s not about who chose you in the past – tonight, you choose. And you choose to be excellent, my friend.

“I identify so much with this idea of ​​entertainment as a hobby, singing as a hobby, being funny as a hobby, so I respect it so much that not only is it nerve-wracking to be on stage but d ‘Being on stage against all these obstacles – there are so many kids – Punjabi kids, but kids from all cultures – who look at you and say, “It’s possible, I can do it. be like Eshan. You just did this for so many kids watching at home, so thank you, Eshan, you’re a star, baby,” Singh said.

A day after the Indigenous singer from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, won the competition’s $1 million top prize, Strong said she expected the win to help push her ambitions to the next level. higher level.

“It means a lot of musical growth and a lot of opportunities that I’ve been waiting for, like recording new music, traveling and playing in more cities, hopefully outside of Canada too,” Strong said Wednesday during a video call.

In his latest bid for Canada’s vote, Strong sang Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” in Tuesday’s episode. Strong, 20, said her appearance on “Canada’s Got Talent” marked her biggest audience yet.

“I’ve been singing on stage since I was five years old, so it’s crazy to think that this is happening,” Strong said.

She encouraged anyone with talent to pursue it.

“If you have doubts, don’t even think about what others will think of you, your talent or what you want to show the world and just do what you do,” she said.

The show’s third season also awarded $25,000 each to six Golden Buzzer groups — performers deemed good enough to advance directly from auditions to the semifinals.

The top prize was significantly higher than the $150,000 awarded at the end of season 2 to a Quebec dance troupe.

—with a file from the Canadian Press

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