In a Facebook post before last night’s grand finale, Taylor Smith thanked “all of my loving friends and family and church community”, adding, “and honestly and most importantly to Jesus for giving me hope and a beautiful life to live.”

The 23-year-old said she was “really shocked and thrilled” to win, after receiving the highest number of votes from the public for her rendition of Never Enough, a hit from the movie The Greatest Showman.

Taylor Smith was awarded $100,000 in prize money and a recording contract with EMI Recorded Music Australia.

“I just really can’t believe it,” she said, as her victory was announced. “I’m so thankful and I can’t wait to see what incredible things are ahead for me.”

Taylor Smith’s duet with her coach on the show Guy Sebastian, as they performed The Prayer by Andrea Bocelli, was another highlight of the last night’s episode.

Sebastian – who previously commented on the church music background they both share – has invited Sydney-based Taylor Smith to go on tour with him.

“I was fortunate to coach Bella Taylor Smith a phenomenal talent with one of the purest voices I have heard. It has been such an honour to work with her,” Sebastian posted before the finale. After her win, he vowed to Taylor Smith that he would “always be in your corner”.

Taylor Smith told Channel 7’s Sunrise program this morning that she will use the prize money to “pay some bills”, take a holiday when COVID lockdown lifts and “get my life together”.

She has already released a new single Higher, which she sang to conclude The Voice finale.

But while Taylor Smith said she “can’t wait to write, get in the studio and release” more of her own music, she told Sunrise that she has no plans to give up her job as a singing teacher.

“I love teaching, it’s one of my passions and I’ll definitely keep doing it,” she said.