'Claim to Fame' winner Adam reveals what his famous uncle told him after he fought his way to victory despite a bleeding head wound (exclusive)

The winner of the third season of “Claim to Fame” is the nephew of singer Michael Bolton.

Adam Cristoferson is still shocked after being named winner Claim to fame Season 3. Adam, who won the $100,000 prize after suffering a bloody head wound during the ABC show's finale on Wednesday night, told PopCulture.com he was “still [him]himself,” looks back on his victory.

Adam, who revealed after his win that he is the nephew of Grammy Award winner Michael Bolton, admitted it was “surreal” to look back at how far he had come on the show when he correctly guessed in the finale that Hud was John Mellencamp's son and Mackenzie was Trace Adkins' daughter.

“I'm overwhelmed with emotion, but I'm proud of myself,” Adam told PopCulture. “I feel like I've overcome a lot of adversity. It's a great feeling to bring the win home to my family.”

Some of that adversity came in the form of a shocking head injury sustained during the final challenge, which landed him in the hands of paramedics. Adam, who already had a target on his back, said he was “completely shocked” when he was initially told he wouldn't be able to complete the challenge.

“I honestly thought, 'I'm going to lose because of a self-inflicted wound.' It was heartbreaking,” he said. Fortunately for Adam, his wound stopped bleeding and doctors allowed him to continue the challenge at his own risk. “At that point, I looked at the leaderboard and I started to realise that I might be able to win the whole thing,” he said, joking, “Other than the glue on my scalp, I guess I got lucky and had some sense hammered into me.”

Adam took home the win for his family and revealed that his famous uncle told him: “You are a star. You have always been a star.” Bolton influenced Adam's playing style from the beginning and advised him throughout his life: “Do whatever it takes to win, but never at the expense of your reputation.”

“He's someone I've always looked up to,” Adam said of the “When a Man Loves a Woman” artist. “He opened my eyes and showed me that I can do or become anything, with no limitations.”

As someone who was underestimated his entire life, Adam continued that he was always one to “pave the way [his] own way” that helped him to win Claim to fame“I sometimes get on people's nerves, but I'm authentic,” he said. “I'm enthusiastic, resourceful and have learned to persevere through all kinds of experiences.”

As for what Adam did with his winnings, he told PopCulture, “I'm so excited” that he bought his dad a brand new hybrid truck. “He's just a great dad. [and] “He'd give his shirt off for anyone,” Adam gushed. “He taught me how to be a good person and he deserves to be celebrated. I'm so grateful that this show helped me do that.”