Chamuel is in the top five performers on NBCs "The Voice." Watch video
Updates a story posted at 9:51 a.m.
NORTHAMPTON -- She may be hanging with Usher in Los Angeles and singing for millions of people every week, but Michelle Chamuel is still the same girl who sold sandwiches and cleaned tables at Woodstar Cafe in Northampton.
Chamuel, one of the top five contestants on NBC's "The Voice" , paid a visit to her old job to to say hi to some friends and the many fans who stopped by to wish her well.
"Look at this place, look at these people," she said as she walked into the cafe, followed by television crews from the popular singing competition.
Cafe owners Rebecca and Dmitri Robbins were excited to see Chamuel and both rocked "Vote for Michelle" t-shirts.
"Nice glasses," Chamuel shouted out as soon as she saw her old boss Dmitri Robbins, who sported glasses similar to the thick black ones Chamuel has become known for.
Wearing her glasses, a sweatshirt, skinny black pants and a pair of Chuck Taylor shoes, Chamuel appeared to be just as charismatic, quirky and genuine as she is on television.
"That's Michelle. She is a really nice person and really genuine," said Dmitri Robbins.
Chamuel worked at the cafe for about six months on and off while filming the show. She lived in Amherst as a teenager and came back last year.
Chamuel's mother, Joalie Davie, has been traveling with her for the past few weeks.
"We lived in Amherst for a while and then moved away, but she wanted to come back here and she has really made this area her home," Davie said. "I am so proud of her and thankful for all of the support the community is giving her."
There must have been an increase in absences and early dismissals at area schools this morning, as dozens of children and teens were gathered at the cafe waiting for Chamuel.
06.06.2013 | NORTHAMPTON -- Amherst singer and finalist on "The Voice" Michelle Chamuel visits the customers and staff at the Woodstar Cafe on Masonic St. Here, Chamuel blows out the candles on a cake presented to her by cafe owner Rebecca Robbins.Northampton residents Josh Calianos and Caleb Stern, both 12, are fans of the emerging star.
"I didn't know about her until recently and when I saw her picture. I realized I recognized her because she had served me a couple of times when I came in here," Stern said.
May Staples, 13, and her 9-year-old sister Libby, of Northampton, made a sign for the singer that read "Welcome home". The girls have been following Chamuel since the auditions and are hoping she will win.
"I just love her voice and I like that she is always herself," said Maya Staples.
Once Chamuel arrived, Staples was able to give her the sign which Chamuel then displayed for the NBC cameras.
Ginny Maxwell, a Northampton resident and daughter of Dmitri Robbins, stopped by to show her support for Chamuel and for Woodstar.
"I love watching her on the show and I also wanted to support the cafe," she said.
Chamuel also praised the cafe, telling co-owner Rebecca Robbins that she feels like a part of the family.
"I really respect this business and what you guys do everyday," she said.
She also said that while making coffee was not her forte, she prepared plenty of sandwiches and cleaned tables and floors.
"I loved working here and playing the music loud after closing," she said.
Audiences asked Chamuel to belt out a tune, but NBC crews did not allow it, moving the singer past the crowd outside and into the cafe for another interview.
Chamuel told the audience to tune in on Monday night for another performance.
"I'm gonna crush it," she said of her next television appearance.
Chamuel was scheduled to sing "God Bless America," at Fenway Park Thursday afternoon.
Before leaving, Chamuel took pictures with fans and said she would take all the love from Massachusetts back with her to Los Angeles.