Hamza’s first comment after claiming the winning title was, “I still can’t believe that I’ve won. But I’m so happy that I have and to collaborate with Sony Music. As for what X Factor judge Ragheb Alama said, I’m ready for all the obstacles ahead, because this is what I wanted.”

“And in response to whether the Saudi people will accept me singing in the English language, I think that many Saudi youth listens to Western music, and the fact that people voted for me to win means that they’re ready to listen to an Arabic singer perform in English, therefore, I don’t think that I’ll have any problems with my Saudi fans,” Hamza said, Al-Madinah reported.

Though the boy band The 5 were a massive fan favorite throughout the season — they even amassed a group of devoted followers dubbed “5-ers” — Hawsawi, whose life motto is to “live and let live”, emerged on top with support from the majority of the judging panel during the show’s season four finale.

Before the results were announced, Egyptian singer and judge Donia Samir Ganem, who mentored The 5, held onto hope that her band would make it until the end, but judges Ragheb Allama and Elissa both predicted Haswawi would take home the prize.