Jessel Antonio is the grand prize winner of the 13th CNMI’s Got Talent.
Kassidy and Kaden Manglona won the Best in Rota Award.
SINGER Jessel Antonio bested 14 other impressive performers to win the grand prize of the 13th CNMI’s Got Talent on Saturday evening at Kensington Hotel.
The competition is an annual showcase of performers with a variety of talent.
This year, all the contestants were singers and there were 320 audience members at the invite-only event, according to Bart Jackson, vice president of Bridge Capital, the annual competition’s organizer and main sponsor.
Antonio told reporters that she was “shocked” when it was announced that she was the top winner.
“I feel so grateful and I will thank God for this opportunity. This prize is for my kids and our family,” she said.
As the top talent in the show, she took home a $2,000 prize. She also received the “Most Christmasy” special award, for an extra $1,500.
In the under-16 category, the grand prize winner was Francis Peter, who said he was able to conquer his stage fright and performed under pressure.
“I tried not to be nervous so I just thought of everyone being my family,” Peter said. “I tried to dance and groove. Win or lose it was for fun.”
Like Antonio, Peter was also a “Most Christmasy” special prize winner.
Other awardees
The Governor’s Choice award went to Juliana Kai Ortiz while the Founder’s Choice awardee was DYNMX, an a capella group.
Kassidy and Kaden Manglona were the Best in Rota special prize winners. There was also a Best in Tinian special prize, but no acts from Tinian were able to join this year’s competition.
Vicente Basa, for his part, was the winner of the manamko’ special prize category.
In the 17-and-older category, Heaven Murphy was named first runner-up while DYNMX was named second runner-up.
The 16-and-under category first runner-up was the Manglona duo from Rota with Juliana Kai Ortiz as second runner-up.
The competition judges were Senate Floor Leader Corina Magofna, first lady Wella Palacios, Reps. Marissa Flores, Julie Ogo and Angelo Camacho.
John Baldwin, Bridge Capital founder, said it was the “best ever” iteration of the contest. “We’ve done this 13 times and tonight was absolutely amazing [because of] the effort that all the performers put out, and also because of the raw talent — it’s an amazing event,” he said. (With Candy Feliciano)
In the under-16 category, the grand prize winner was Francis Peter.
The 16-and-under category second runner-up was Juliana Kai Ortiz.
Heaven Murphy was a top talent at the competition.
