Tenley Woodman, Television

The second time was nearly a charm for Michelle Chamuel.

After unsuccessfully auditioning last season for NBC’s “The Voice,” the 27-year-old Amherst resident finished as runner-up on the popular singing competition Tuesday night.

Though the top prize eluded the Wellesley High School graduate, Chamuel became the first Bay State-raised contestant to make it so close to the title on a major network talent competition. Beverly’s Angie Miller finished third this season on Fox’s “American Idol.”

“I’m going to take a little time to regroup, rest up, get some good food in, get my brain to sort through all the incredible experiences,” Chamuel told the Herald today on her way to the airport.

The bespectacled singer will be returning to Western Massachusetts, but she might be working with “Voice” mentor Usher soon.

“We definitely left it open,” Chamuel said. “He expressed his interest, and I expressed mine right back.”

The quirky musician is amazed by the fans she acquired during the show’s run. The University of Michigan graduate has yet to absorb the experience.

“It’s interesting being on this side of it. I have the least perspective on why things turned out the way it did and how I garnered support,” Chamuel said. “It’s incredible.”

With her unique singing and fashion style, Chamuel stood out from fellow finalists, country acts the Swon Brothers and season victor Danielle Bradbery.

“My style is pretty functional,” Chamuel said of her wardrobe choices “My style rules with any type of jewelry: ‘Will it impede you in any type of setting? Will it get caught?’ I will not wear anything that gets in the way of functioning.

“With my outfit, ‘Can I run a mile in it? If a building was burning, would it get in the way?’ It’s completely practical for comfort,” she said.

While the intense vocalist dazzled during season four with such pop tunes as Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble” and OneRepublic’s “Counting Stars,” her roots are less mainstream. As a singer for the Michigan-based Ella Riot, her focus was electronic rock.

Fans can continue to expect the unexpected from Chamuel.

“The model I want to go after is a more independent one: maintaining more autonomy,” Chamuel said.

“Anyone could be ‘The Voice’ in the sense that there are so many talented people who work hard. For me, I realize each of us are replaceable unless we are ourselves. There is only one of each of us,” she said.