Zahra Elham, in her 20s and from Afghanistan's Hazara community, snatched first place from her male runner-up on Afghan Star a local version of American Idol in which hundreds of men and women have competed for 14 seasons.
"I popped the hearts of men out of their chests today," a happy Elham told the audience during the contest´s finale late Thursday.
"I am so so happy, I cannot even find words to express my feelings... Today, I represent all the girls of Afghanistan.
Today not only Zahra Elham but all the girls in Afghanistan have won," she said amid cheers, applause and even tears from the admiring audience.
Known for her high pitch and raspy voice, she had previously said she wanted to break the grasp of male winners on the competition, first launched in 2005 and one of Afghanistan´s most popular television shows.
"Your win is a slap in the face of jealous Afghan men," Sonita Rasa wrote on Zahra´s Facebook page.
"Hope you don´t disappear after this big win and hope the situation allows you to continue to get to your dreams," Tanin, another user, wrote.
"Peace is on its way, hope the future peace has the Afghan Star contest in it," Mustafa Azizyar, the show´s presenter said, after presenting the trophy.
As talks between Washington and the Taliban aimed at ending the long war progress, many Afghans fear a premature US withdrawal could see the Taliban return to some semblance of power.
from Latest News - SUCH TV https://ift.tt/2HAvBqr
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