“The Voice” season four crowns Danielle Bradbery as its youngest champion ever on Tuesday (June 18). After grueling weeks of battles and live shows including phenomenal final performances last night, Team Blake’s country prodigy beat fellow teammates the Swon Brothers and Team Usher‘s Michelle Chamuel to win the coveted title.
When the lights dimmed and the announcement was revealed, a stunned Bradbery, who didn’t “know what to think,” broke into happy tears, unable to finish her solo “Born to Fly.”
While the race was too close to call, the 16 year-old Bradbery was a front-runner from the start, turning all four coaches chairs, eventually landing on Blake Shelton‘s team. Leading his “dream team,” Bradbery was often referred to by her coach as the “most important artist” in country music today, carrying the torch of the genre to the next generation. What’s harder to believe is the fact that the young Texan had her first major performance on the blind auditions.
She faced stiff competition against another fan favorite — Michelle Chamuel. The adorable misfit, who received praise from the likes of Taylor Swift, held strong as the first runner-up, followed by the competition’s underdogs, Oklahoma natives, the Swon Brothers.
The NBC ratings juggernaut did not disappoint either, leaving its rabid audience with a finale featuring a list of musical all-stars that seemed endless.
It was hard not to “Feel This Moment” as Mr. Worldwide a.k.a. Pitbull opened the show with the svelte Christina Aguilera. The fun-filled performance — chock full of confetti and dancers — not only celebrated the “Voice” pop princess’ return to the show next season but set the tone for a hilarious finale that delved into the cracking bromance between #Slevine and the unorthodox techniques of the coaches.
The Swon Brothers then took the stage, reuniting with some of their fellow top 16 — Justin Rivers, Holly Tucker and and Amber Carrington — to prove they were “Stars Tonight.” The uptempo reunion kept going throughout the show as the boys Josiah Hawley, Vedo, Kris Thomas and Garrett Gardner who “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg,” came together as a Motown quartet, leaving the girls swooning.
Michelle Chamuel performed, who proved her raw chops by rocking alongside One Republic, blending in perfect harmony with the seasoned band. Rock soon turned into an unlikely country hip-hop collabo featuring Florida Georgia Line and Nelly with “Cruise.”
They weren’t the only starsto take the stage, though, world-class performer Bruno Mars and his band delivered his new single “Treasure” clad in sexy red suits. Infusing his signature doo-wop style with retro disco, Mars crooned and gyrated right into the hearts of fans. But the ladies (also in red) had something up their sleeves — Bradbery, Caroline Glaser, Sarah Simmons and Amber Carrington showed off their “All-American Girl” stylings as they channeled their inner Carries.
Taking the simpler route were the Swon Brothers who shared a duet with Bob Seger. The “Oakies” sat on stools with their guitars showing off their “Night Moves” and fulfilling a dream singing next to the legend.
And like the Energizer Bunny, the performances just kept going and going. Powerhouse finalists Sasha Allen, Judith Hill, Karina Iglesias and Cathia gave some lovin’ to a crowd that was more than willing to receive it with “My Lovin,” and Bradbery also got to share her love … with dreamboat Hunter Hayes. The pair sang his hit track “I Want Crazy” and you could see the fan in the young starlet bursting with excitement the entire way. Taking their coach’s advice that “teamwork makes the dream work,” Team Usher’s Michelle Chamuel, Josiah, Vedo and Cathia also came together for “We Can Work It Out,” putting their camaraderie on full display.
The one-and-only Cher also performed her new single, “Woman’s World,” in all her theatrical glory. The 67 year-old strutted her stuff in leather, donning purple hair, surrounded by a slew of dancers, ending a stellar night of talent.
There was one last touching moment left, as the finalists and coaches opened up in a final confessional, expressing their gratitude and love for each other. “Thank you for being you and inspiring me to be me,” Chamuel told Usher.
The finale marked birthday boy Shelton’s third consecutive win on the show. Season five will return with a resurgence of former coaches Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green. But for now, it’s Danielle Bradbery’s night. Congratulations.
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