After winning a nationwide talent show on “Live with Regis and Kelly,” Colin Sullivan, junior physical education major, said his success was all because of the support from others. Sullivan recently spoke with the Northern Star to discuss recently winning the contest.

Northern Star: What was the first thought that went through your mind when you found out you won?

Colin Sullivan: I felt really confident going about the contest going into the morning they announced the winner because I had worked really hard all that weekend getting people to vote. So I really felt very victorious. I made a video and spread the word so vigorously, and it all paid off.

NS: Have people talked to you a lot about you winning?

CS: To be honest, I really feel like a jerk talking about “blah blah blah I won $20,000,” so I just made the Facebook status and if people ask I’m happy to admit to it. I really appreciate those that voted and congratulate me, though. There’s a lot of explaining myself as to how I won $20,000 by putting stuff on my face (laughs).

NS: Did anything else special happen after you won?

CS: Lots of people congratulated me via Facebook/Twitter/etc. on the day I won. Last Friday, though, a show called “You & Me This Morning” on WCIU and also the WGN News contacted me about being on their shows I was also asked for an interview from a newspaper. And some friends had told me I was talked about on a couple different radio stations.

NS: Do you think you would want to do something like this again?

CS: I’m definitely up for doing any kinds of contests and shows like this. I think it’s a lot of fun. I can do a lot more than just balance stuff on my chin, so it’s always fun to put on a show and entertain people any way I can.

NS: What is your best memory from this experience?

CS: Well, there were three separate occasions: I found out I was in the contest, voted through the first round and winning the grand prize were all incredible feelings. And seeing the 900 people that joined the Facebook group, as well as newspapers that helped me out and e-mails that were circulated really gave me a sense of help. It was awesome seeing so many people reach out to help me out. Really, after I sent the video out, it was all out of my hands. The voting population won it for me. I’m really thankful.

NS: Is there anything else that you would like to say?

CS: Just a huge thank you to everyone that helped out and spread the word. I said it before, everyone else won this for me. All I did was make a video. Once I get the prize money and gum, I’ll have a bunch of it here at school. I really wanna make sure anyone that voted and wants gum, gets it. I’m not going to be handing it out on the streets, but I certainly welcome it to anyone that voted. I’m more than happy to share. And I’d certainly appreciate anyone that wants to let me know what things I could be successful in pop up. That’s how I found out about that contest anyway, [by] people telling me!