KENYAN SINGER CIMBERLY WANYONYI WINS SWEDISH IDOL

18-year-old Kenyan singer Cimberly Wanyonyi has been crowned the winner of Swedish Idol. 

Cimberly who hails from Skellefteå, took to social media to celebrate her win, “I don’t even know where to start. I’ve spent the whole day trying to come to grips with what happened yesterday. Last night my life changed forever. About exactly 24 hours ago I stood and sang in the Avicii Arena. Just something like that I thought would never happen. And now I’ve won?! It’s absolutely crazy. Can’t seem to get it.

I’m struggling to formulate this text because I don’t know how to describe in words how grateful I am for what I’ve been a part of. This journey, which started almost as crazy as it ended. I wrote at the beginning of the text that my life changed forever last night, it’s a bit wrong to say maybe. Because my life changed the very day I walked into my audition and struggled to stand there. There I began to shape my future. Therefore, it does not matter if the journey in the idol lasts a week or 2 months. The courage you build from being an idol is something you can carry with you throughout your life.”

Wanyonyi extended her gratitude to everyone she encountered during the journey, from the judges to fellow participants, and all those behind the scenes who contributed to making the program magical.“Thanks! To all the nice messages, everyone who voted and all of you who supported. Not just my family and friends and my city, people who don’t even know me have seen how much this means to me. Thank you for allowing me to be myself, and that you have liked me for who I am, there is no better response to receive than that. You have been there during some of the happiest and heaviest weeks of my life. I have so much love for you guys.

Thanks! to everyone I met during the journey, everyone from the jury, to participants, to every single one of you who work to make the program the magical thing it is. You are a newfound family, which will forever mean so much to me. Couldn’t have done this without you. It feels sad that autumn is over, but I know we will see each other again one way or another. And thanks to you Saga! You are something absolutely incredible, and look forward to seeing you shine like the star you are. Thanks for letting me share the finale with you. Now something completely new begins.”