ON Sunday, she was estatic having walked away the 2011 winner of Digicel Rising Stars, but 24 hours later it was quite a different story for Tash.

The young singer says she was at home in Yallahs, St Thomas, with her family when they became aware of gunmen in the community. However, quick action by the police foiled any attempt by hoodlums to break into the house of the newly crowned talent show winner.

 "I am okay now, but I was really scared. All I have in my house in a big, cardboard cheque, which they can't do anything with. But I must make it clear that there was not robbery at my house. Mi door neva kick off and no excitement tek place. We just hear that the gunman dem in the area and the police was called in," Tash told the Observer in a telephone interview last night.

The Yallahs Police confirmed that a group of men were seen lurking on Tash's neighbour's property. Alert residents noticed the strange movements of the men and called the police who quickly responded.

Upon the arrival of the cops, the men scampered in different directions.

Meanwhile, Tash, whose real name is Chantal LaMont, is still trying to come to grips with her victory on season eight of the popular televised talent competition

"I feel wonderful, I feel great. Actually doing so much hard work and it paid off, awesome," she said. "I can't wait to go to Edna so that I can study the saxophone, keyboard, just all the music that I can. And hopefully, in about a month, I can release a single. I want to go hard."

However, before she takes up her prize scholarship at the Edna Manley College's school of music, Tash will be returning to the Yallahs High School come Monday morning to meet the entry requirements.

"I'm going back to do the science subjects, biology, chemistry, food, and hopefully I get to do music, cosmetology and clothing, because I want to do everything!" she continued excitedly.

Always singing and ready to entertain, Tash has sang with her school choir; performed at concerts; Karaoke events; and has been participating in the JCDC Festival competition since primary school, with quite a few gold medals to her name. But not only is she in the business of entertaining, this active young lady is also an avid sports woman.

"I play netball, do track and field, play football, and dance," she said proudly.

When asked what her main goal in the competition was, she replied: "To win," and Tash notes that she kept this in mind from her first performance in the competition to her very last.