Welcome home! Tessanne touches base for short break

Jamaican singer Tessanne Chin, who on Tuesday was declared winner of NBC's singing competition 'The Voice', arrived on the island last evening to a waiting crowd of supporters that included politicians, family members, friends, and well-wishers.

Her plane arrived at 7:20 p.m. and she exited into the waiting arms of her husband, Michael Cuffe. The crowd cheered as she hugged her husband; her father, Richard; her sister, singer Tami Chynn; and brother-in-law, entertainer Wayne Marshall, before greeting others in the receiving line.

Thanking everyone who turned out to welcome her, and tightly grasping the trophy she received on being named winner of the contest, Tessanne joked that she wanted a Grammy award to go along with it.

Cuffe said he had her dinner - red peas soup with pig's tail (which he helped prepare) - waiting for her at home.

Her father said that when Tessanne was 15 years old, he was already imagining her walking the red carpet at the Grammys. He said he told her: "You have to dream before things come true. God knows the right time."

Tessanne became teary-eyed during a press conference held at the airport when her father-in-law, Michael Cuffe Sr, spoke about the close bond she shared with her sister, Tami.

Entertainer Shaggy, who Tessanne said pushed her to enter the competition, noted that her win came during a trying year for Jamaica. He said he had to hold back tears when she won.

Tessanne's arrival gives her a break from a whirlwind press tour she has been on in the United States since she won the competition. She will spend less than two weeks in Jamaica before returning to the United States to participate in the popular Rose Bowl Parade on New Year's Day. Then, she will start working on her album which she said she hopes will be ready around March next year.