CHICAGO, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- A 36-year-old mother of five from Detroit, LaShell Griffin, won a recording contract Monday as the top winner on "Oprah's Pop Star Challenge."
"This is so unbelievable. God is good," said Griffin following the announcement she had beat out 15,000 initial entries for Oprah Winfrey's first televised talent show.
In addition to the Epic Records recording contract, Griffin won the attention of millions of viewers who voted either online or by phone for their favorite from a field of eight finalists.
Griffin impressed the celebrity judges, who have included singers Alicia Keys, Cyndi Lauper, Brian McKnight, Toni Braxton, "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell and producer, singer and songwriter Kenneth (Babyface) Edmonds,
with her performances.
Cowell, notorious for slamming contestants on "American Idol," told Griffin she was "fantastic" after she sang "The Greatest Love of All."
Griffin told Monday's Detroit Free Press, prior to her victory, if she won she would perform gospel music.
