A tiny 9-year-old with a huge stage presence was named the winner of this year's Big Joe Jersey Talent Show Sunday, becoming the youngest contestant to take the top prize in the competition's history.

Angelina Bella said she wants to be a "triple threat" when she grows up. The tiny New Jerseyan told a crowd of hundreds on the beach at Jenkinson's in Point Pleasant that she wants to sing, dance and act. During this weekend's talent show finale, she proved that she is already well on her way to achieving her goal. She took home more than $10,000 in cash and prizes.

In fact, many of the past winners of the talent show's 17-year history have gone on to have successful careers on Broadway and in the music industry. Several finalists have also competed in major network talent shows such as "American Idol," "America’s Got Talent" and "The Voice."

Ten finalists in the talent show, which was presented by Ocean First Bank, competed Sunday before a panel of celebrity judges. The judges included Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Franke Previte, who co-wrote the soundtrack for the 1987 hit movie "Dirty Dancing." Singer, Broadway star and former Rockette Lisa Sherman was also among the judges along with Grammy Award nominee and No. 1 songwriter Robert John, who is best known for his song "Sad Eyes," which topped the Billboard charts in 1979. The panel was rounded out by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Gene Cornish, a guitarist and member of the band The Rascals.

The 10 finalists included: Carly Sica, Noel Furman, Sarah Glynn (second place winner), Juliana Dominguez, Andrew Moore (third place winner), Ashley Cucchiara, Viannah Nicole, Lauren Staub, Angelina Bella (grand prize winner) and Joe Coonan. According to Big Joe, there was just a five-point difference between the first and second place winners.

Watch Big Joe announce the winners on stage:

Toniann Antonelli is digital managing editor for programming at NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015 or @NJ1015.

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