It was a "Crazy" night Saturday for Surrey's Jerrica Santos, who won the third annual Variety's Got Talent contest with her version of the Gnarls Barkley hit.

Santos, 25, sang her way to victory over nine other finalists in front of a panel of judges at River Rock Show Theatre in Richmond.

"It was awesome, a really great experience," an elated Santos told the Now.

First place in the Idol-style talent contest gives Santos a prize package that includes an appearance on Variety's Show of Hearts telethon, at 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16 on Global BC.

She won't be singing on the telethon; rather, she will be interviewed by members of the Simmons family, including KISS bandleader Gene.

"I'm a bit nervous about that, yeah, but I'm totally excited, too," Santos said.

Judges of Variety's Got Talent were Shannon Tweed-Simmons, band manager Bruce Allen, Global BC's Steve Darling, sisters Britt and Carly McKillip of the country band One More Girl and music journalist Tom Harrison.

"They put me on (stage) second to last," Santos said. "The judges gave me great feedback.. Even Bruce Allen was bopping along as I sang."

Santos also performed "Crazy" during an international karaoke contest in Ireland two years ago.

Looking ahead, Santos is planning to release a third album, Beautiful, this summer and then tour the Philippines.

Another prize in the Variety contest gives Santos a choice to open for any performer at River Rock Show Theatre this year. "I'm already looking to see who'll be playing there - it's great," she said.

Other competitors in Variety's Got Talent were Jonah Weisner (age 13, of Mission), Annika Kraakman (15, Deroche), Alyssa Lynch (17, Langley), Britt Bonshor (21, Langley), Arianna Ohlsson (15, Richmond), Shawn Hallgren (24, West Vancouver), Raquel Warchol (19, Vernon), Jessika Harlling (19, Nanaimo) and Dani Cherniwchan (16, Chilliwack). tzillich@thenownewspaper.com

Twitter @tomzillich