Elton Earlington, focused on making mark in music

'Digicel Rising Star' 2016 winner, Elton Earlington already has his sights set on making it big in the music industry.

Clearly overwhelmed, an emotional Earlington, who won the title after nine attempts, told The Gleaner that he never gave up because of his love for music.

"I am very grateful for this win and very happy that I never gave up," he said, explaining that now the competition is over, he will be looking on to greater things. First on his agenda is finding the right team.

"It will be all work from here on, no rest, no break. I am going to take the judges' advice and find the right team because music is what I've always wanted to do. I am going to use this platform to the best of my ability, try to stay current and remain on top," says Earlington.

Earlington, who hails from Trelawny, walked away with 1.5 million dollars in cash and an Alcatel smartphone for his efforts. Second-place winner Monifa Goss received $600,000 and an Alcatel smartphone.

The newly crowned winner was also granted $1.5 million to kick-start a community development project, and Earlington already has his sights set on helping the Evelyn Peterkin Basic School. As a past student of the institution, Earlington said he decided to help because he realises that the school is in dire need of proper bathroom facilities. The school which caters to toddlers does not have a bathroom adjoining the building, so students have to trek outside whenever they want to use the bathroom, a reality Earlington wants to change.

"The basic school is a stone's throw away from where I live, and as a past student ,I see the need, and I want to help," he said. "My daughter is two and will be attending the school soon, and I don't want her or any other student to be uncomfortable, so I'm going to assist them with a bathroom."