Amherst's Michelle Chamuel thanks fans for their support.
Months after wowing three judges during her audition for NBC's "The Voice," Amherst’s own Michelle Chamuel is preparing for what could be the most important performance of her career.
The 27-year-old singer was chosen Tuesday night as one of the three finalists on the hit reality singing competition. All finalists - Chamuel, Danielle Bradbury and the Swon Brothers - will perform live on Monday with the winner chosen on Tuesday. "The Voice" is shown both nights.
"It's crazy... My brain is like, 'What's happening?" Chamuel said minutes after the announcement that she made the finals. "I'm still in shock."
Back home, friends and family cheered for the singer.
"We are so happy for her. I think she is going to win, I really do," said Rebecca Robbins, co-owner of Woodstar Cafe in Northampton, where Chamuel worked before heading off to compete on the show.
Last Thursday, Chamuel made a stop in Northampton to visit her old co-workers and bosses at the cafe. A crew from "The Voice" recorded the visit and showed parts of it on the Monday show.
"It was an eye-opening experience to see how a show like that is made," said Robbins, who appeared on camera with Chamuel. "I was just amazed at how she could be so normal with this major production going on around her."
The Woodstar staff all watched the semi-finals together and are making plans to watch the final results show.
"We are all so excited for her," Robbins said.
On Twitter, Chamuel thanked her fans.
"Taking a moment to be thankful for the incredible and overwhelming support coming this way. Thank you for your compassion and encouragement, " she tweeted early Wednesday morning.
On the results show Tuesday, Chamuel heard some inspiring words from her pop superstar coach, Usher.
Usher said he believes Chamuel has a promising career.
“She has overcome every obstacle, be it any doubt or anything else and I feel like she is medicine for our country, for our world," he said. " (Proving) that the standard changes every time someone steps out and does something different."