The special person who signed The Voice Australia winner Reuben De Melo up for Channel 7 show

FIFO worker and father-of-three Reuben De Melo has been crowned the winner of this year’s The Voice Australia in a nailbiting Grand Finale on Channel 7.

The 32-year-old performer from Perth was visibly stunned when host Sonia Kruger revealed the life-changing result on Sunday night.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Reuben De Melo wins The Voice Australia.

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“I never thought I’d get this far, this is crazy,” Reuben said in disbelief.

His coach, Grammy-winning US singer LeAnn Rimes, was beaming at the triumph.

“I’m so proud. You deserve every bit of this moment, and I’m so honoured to have been on this journey with you. You are incredible,” she said.

Not only did Reuben win the coveted title, but he also walked away with $100,000 in prize money, as well as a music masterclass and an industry recording development package, opening the door to a promising music career.

The Voice 2024 winner Reuben De Melo. Credit: Seven

Reuben’s journey to The Voice was unexpected — his wife secretly signed him up for the competition, believing in his talent even before he did.

“She applied for me without telling me, and the rest is history,” Reuben tells 7NEWS.com.au the morning after his epic victory.

So when her husband took home the prize, Reuben says “she was ecstatic, emotional—she couldn’t contain herself.

“As was I, because I never really believed it would happen.”

Reuben’s raw, soulful voice captivated the audience and impressed The Voice coaches Adam Lambert, Kate Miller-Heidke, Guy Sebastian, and LeAnn Rimes during his Blind Audition.

In fact, LeAnn was so moved she used her Ultimate Block to secure him for her team.

“There was just so much feeling there. I knew right away that I wasn’t letting the other coaches get to him before I did,” she said at the time.

On the final night, Reuben’s solo performance of House of the Rising Sun by The Animals awed all of the coaches.

Kate Miller-Heidke praised it as “exceptional,” while LeAnn could barely contain her excitement.

“You just gave it your all. That was insane,” she said.

Winner Reuben De Melo with coach LeAnn Rimes. Credit: Seven

The two also performed a heartfelt duet of Fix You by Coldplay, something Reuben says he will “never forget”.

“Performing with LeAnn was something so special.

“You don’t get that every day, and yet she made it feel so comfortable like I was performing at home with friends.”

“She’s been incredible — nothing short of amazing. Her support, both on and off camera, made the journey so much easier for me.”

Reuben says LeAnn’s mentorship goes beyond just music and she has helped guide him through the complexities of entering the entertainment world.

“She’s been in showbiz her whole life, and for someone like me, who’s never been in that world, she was always there, helping me stay grounded and teaching me how to really feel the songs I was performing.”

Back home in Perth, Reuben’s friends and family were equally invested in his journey.

To mark the Grand Finale, more than 100 supporters gathered for a watch party, despite the three-hour time difference with Sydney.

“I was just surprised. I felt like I was already a winner, seeing so many people come to support me. It was amazing.”

Looking forward, Reuben is eager to build on his newfound success.

The $100,000 prize money, he says, will give him a chance to focus on his music dreams.

“I’d like to get debt-free, but this win also means I can really pursue music now.

“It’s something I need to sit down and plan out with my wife over a cup of coffee, but this is the break I’ve been waiting for.”