On Sunday during the 6th edition of “La Voix – The Voice”, Haitian soul singer, Yama Laurent became the first Haitian woman to win Quebec’s popular singing contest.

From the beginning of the competition, Laurent and her powerful voice was an immediate fan and judge favorite. With 60% of the popular vote, Yama took the victory and is now the new “Voice” of Quebec.

Laurent is originally from Léogâne, Haiti, after the earthquake of January 12, 2010, Laurent went to study medicine in the Dominican Republic. Later, she won a major singing contest and flew to Canada to live with her mother.

Yama is the sixth winner of “The Voice”. She succeeds Valérie Carpentier, Yoan Garneau, Kevin Bazinet, Stéphanie St-Jean and Ludovick Bourgeois. In addition to being the new “Voice” of Quebec, Yama wins a record deal and a $50,000 check.

“Thank you very much to each one of you, it’s like an adoption,” said Yama Laurent excitedly a few minutes after her victory. “It’s just amazing the night I just lived. The former candidates came back so we could all sing together, but I do not want to cry tonight. This victory was unexpected for me, but I think I’m up to it.”

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