5 Memorable Contestants on The Voice

When NBC premiered The Voice in 2011, the television landscape was already saturated with musical tournament formats such as American Idol and The X Factor. Many viewers and critics felt these long-standing franchises leaned too heavily on external factors, frequently rewarding physical appearance, personal styling, and theatrical charisma over raw vocal capability. NBC sought to disrupt this dynamic by building a show around a singular, defining mechanism: the blind audition. By seating four superstar coaches in oversized chairs facing entirely away from the stage, the series forced its mentors to judge hopefuls exclusively with their ears.

That blind evaluation model radically altered the talent competition blueprint. If a coach liked what they heard, a slap of a button rotated their chair around, transitioning them from a blind listener into an active mentor. When multiple coaches turned, the dynamic inverted, putting the decision in the performer's hands. Backed by the promise of hands-on coaching, a grand prize of one hundred thousand dollars in cash, and a major record contract, the program has uncovered an array of exceptional singers over the years. While dozens of performers have stepped onto the stage, a handful delivered breakthrough performances that forever altered the series' history.

At a glance: Five standout alumni

Over dozens of seasons, the show's blind auditions have created instant viral moments and propelled versatile vocalists into high-profile recording careers. The table below outlines how these five legendary contestants navigated their blind auditions, coaching selections, and eventual show placements.

Contestant	Season & Year	Coach	Audition Track	Final Show Result
Christina Grimmie	Season 6 (2014)	Adam Levine	Pop selection (4-chair turn)	Third place
Melanie Martinez	Season 3 (2012)	Adam Levine	"Toxic" (3-chair turn)	Eliminated week 5
Sawyer Fredericks	Season 8 (2015)	Pharrell Williams	"I'm a Man of Constant Sorrow" (4-chair turn)	Winner
Jordan Smith	Season 9 (2015)	Adam Levine	"Chandelier" (4-chair turn)	Winner
Cassadee Pope	Season 3 (2012)	Blake Shelton	"Torn" (4-chair turn)	Winner (First female champion)

5 memorable contestants on The Voice

Each season presents dozens of eager vocalists, but only an elite group leaves an indelible mark on coaches and home viewers alike. Whether claiming the season trophy or using the broadcast as a springboard for original artistry, these five performers defined the highest standards of the competition.

Christina Grimmie

• Season: Season 6 (2014)
• Coach: Adam Levine
• Audition outcome: Four-chair turn
• Final result: Third place

Prior to stepping onto the NBC stage for season six in 2014, Christina Grimmie had already spent considerable time establishing an independent music footprint. She cultivated a massive following on YouTube by recording and publishing intimate vocal covers of mainstream hits directly from her home. That grassroots online momentum unlocked significant live touring slots, including appearances as an opening act for Selena Gomez and the Scene as well as the Jonas Brothers. Her growing profile also secured her a featured performance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where she delivered an acoustic cover of Lil Wayne's hit song "How To Love."

When Grimmie delivered her blind audition, her seasoned stage presence, infectious passion, and crisp pop control triggered a four-chair turn from the coaching panel. She aligned with coach Adam Levine, who helped direct her through successive tournament matchups. Grimmie advanced all the way to the season finale, ultimately securing third place in the competition. Following the broadcast, she maintained an active and successful commercial music career. Tragically, her life and artistic journey were cut short in June 2016 when she was murdered by an obsessed fan after a live performance.

Melanie Martinez

• Season: Season 3 (2012)
• Coach: Adam Levine
• Audition song: "Toxic" by Britney Spears
• Final result: Eliminated in week five

Melanie Martinez entered the mainstream conversation during season three in 2012 with one of the most stylistically distinct auditions the program had ever documented. Rather than performing a standard radio arrangement, Martinez stripped down Britney Spears's high-energy pop hit "Toxic" into an atmospheric, acoustic performance accompanied by her own guitar and distinct vocal cadence. Her offbeat presentation and quirky personal style convinced three of the four coaches to swivel their chairs, sparking a competitive pitch for her talents.

Martinez chose Adam Levine as her mentor and validated his faith by repeatedly winning head-to-head showdowns during the battle rounds. Although her competitive run concluded in week five when home viewers voted her off during the live stages, she capitalized on her national exposure. Rather than fading into the background, Martinez poured her creative energy into writing, visual design, and original production. She signed a recording deal with Atlantic Records and subsequently launched her breakthrough concept album Crybaby, carving out an enduring alternative-pop career.

Sawyer Fredericks

• Season: Season 8 (2015)
• Coach: Pharrell Williams
• Audition song: "I'm a Man of Constant Sorrow"
• Final result: Season 8 Winner

When sixteen-year-old Sawyer Fredericks walked onto the stage in season eight, the panel had no visual indication of his youth or background. Performing an earthy rendition of the traditional folk anthem "I'm a Man of Constant Sorrow," Fredericks showcased a gritty, soulful vocal maturity that belied his teenage years. The resonant blues textures of his delivery left the entire panel stunned, earning him an immediate four-chair turn and glowing praise from every judge.

Fredericks elected to join team Pharrell Williams, forming an artist-coach relationship characterized by creative encouragement and musical authenticity. Week after week, Fredericks tackled roots, folk, and classic acoustic standards, regularly topping digital sales charts and maintaining widespread audience support. He marched into the finale and took home the championship title for season eight. Following his win, Fredericks signed with Atlantic Records, maintaining an active, sustained career within the folk and roots music landscape.

Jordan Smith

• Season: Season 9 (late 2015)
• Coach: Adam Levine
• Audition song: "Chandelier" by Sia
• Final result: Season 9 Winner

Season nine featured what many critics consider the most jaw-dropping vocal display ever captured on the program. Jordan Smith tackled the notoriously demanding vocal gymnastics of Sia's pop powerhouse "Chandelier." His seamless transitions into full, resonant falsetto and effortless navigation of piercing high notes created an instant sensation in the room. Long before his song concluded, every coach on the panel pressed their button, spinning their chairs to witness the singer behind the voice.

Faced with unanimous enthusiasm from the panel, Smith chose to join team Adam Levine. Across the season, Smith proved that his blind audition was no fluke. He consistently tackled massive ballads and complex vocal arrangements, routinely outperforming established commercial standards on digital download leaderboards. Backed by his deep emotional passion and technical consistency, Smith dominated the competition from start to finish, ultimately winning the season nine crown.

Cassadee Pope

• Season: Season 3 (2012)
• Coach: Blake Shelton
• Audition song: "Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia
• Final result: Season 3 Winner

Cassadee Pope brought pre-existing professional experience into season three, having spent years touring as the frontwoman and lead vocalist of the rock band Hey Monday. Seeking to reinvent herself as a solo artist, Pope auditioned with a driving rendition of Natalie Imbruglia's 1990s hit "Torn." Her crisp tone, pop-rock inflection, and controlled vocal belt prompted all four coaches to hit their buttons and pitch for her artistic future.

While multiple judges made compelling arguments, Pope chose country icon Blake Shelton as her coach. That partnership proved to be an inspired decision. Shelton encouraged Pope to embrace country-leaning arrangements, highlighting the expressive emotional storytelling at the core of her voice. The stylistic pivot paid off in historic fashion: Pope carried the momentum through the live rounds to become the first female winner in the history of The Voice. She smoothly transitioned into country music post-show, earning widespread industry accolades and building a lasting solo discography.

The tiered mechanics of the competition format

Unlike standard talent broadcasts that rely on simple stage recitals, The Voice operates as a progressive elimination tournament designed to assess multiple dimensions of musicianship. Each phase tests distinct skill sets, evaluating how performers respond to vocal duets, solo pressure, and audience voting dynamics.

1. The Blind Auditions: Accompanied by a live studio band, contestants perform for roughly ninety seconds while the four judges sit facing the audience. If one coach hits their button, the contestant defaults to that coach's roster; if multiple coaches turn, the singer selects their preferred mentor. If no chairs swivel, the performer is eliminated.
2. The Battle Rounds: Once team rosters are completely filled, coaches pair their own singers into head-to-head duets on a single shared song. Mentors provide hands-on coaching during rehearsals to see who executes the material better. At the conclusion of the joint performance, the coach selects one artist to advance, while the losing artist is eliminated unless saved by a rival coach utilizing a limited steal option.
3. The Knockout Rounds: Singers are again pitted against a teammate, but each artist independently selects and prepares their own individual song rather than performing a duet. Coaches evaluate the solo executions back-to-back, determining which singer possesses the artistic maturity and stage composure to advance to the network live broadcasts.
4. The Live Performance Shows: The competition shifts to weekly live broadcasts where the remaining vocalists perform individually on national television. Coach authority recedes, and television viewers at home cast digital and telephone votes to determine who advances each week until a single champion earns the title, the cash prize, and the recording contract.

Practical performance strategies for aspiring contestants

Singers hoping to navigate competitive television auditions can study successful alumni to understand how to make an immediate impact. With coaches and casting directors evaluating hundreds of hopefuls, tactical song selection and rigorous vocal preparation make all the difference.

• Showcase your range within thirty seconds: Because blind audition coaches make their decisions in under two minutes, artists must display their vocal strengths, dynamic control, and distinctive timbre early in the performance rather than saving big notes for the final chorus.
• Build real-world experience before auditioning: Stepping onto a national stage requires poise that cannot be developed overnight. Artists like Christina Grimmie and Cassadee Pope honed their skills through online releases, touring bands, and live club dates before taking on television scrutiny.
• Reimagine familiar arrangements: Mimicking a famous track note-for-note invites direct comparison to the original artist. Rearranging an uptempo hit into an intimate acoustic number—as Melanie Martinez did with "Toxic"—highlights creativity and individuality.
• Embrace technical vocal training under pressure: Stage fright and adrenaline can cause shallow breathing and sharp pitch. Consistent diaphragmatic breathing exercises and pitch memory ensure that high notes stay supported even when nerves surge.
• Maintain coachability during rehearsals: Contestants work closely with veteran music industry heavyweights. Showing flexibility, absorbing arrangement changes, and accepting critical feedback during coach sessions directly improves tournament longevity.

A television singing competition is not merely a search for technical perfection, but a showcase for unique vocal identity and authentic storytelling.

Common traps that derail competitive vocalists

Vocal competitions are notoriously unforgiving. Even remarkably gifted singers frequently stumble due to strategic errors in song selection, vocal health management, or stage performance. Recognizing these pitfalls can protect an artist from premature elimination.

• Falling into karaoke mimicry: Replicating every vocal run and inflection from an original studio track prevents the performer's authentic voice from shining through, leaving mentors uninspired.
• Sacrificing dynamics for sustained volume: Belting at maximum volume for an entire performance exhausts both the singer's vocal cords and the audience's ears. The most compelling performances rely on contrast, whispering through verses before building to powerful choruses.
• Prioritizing technical difficulty over emotion: Hitting intricate runs means little if the delivery feels cold. Coaches consistently respond to raw emotional sincerity and genuine lyrical connection.
• Wandering outside a clear musical lane: Attempting to sing pop, country, blues, and rock across successive weeks confuses home viewers. Establishing a recognizable artistic signature makes it far easier to cultivate a dedicated voting base.
• Neglecting post-show preparation: Treating a televised competition as the end destination rather than a promotional platform leaves singers unprepared once the cameras turn off. Successful artists enter the process with original material already in development.

Frequently asked questions

How much prize money does the winner of The Voice receive?

The champion of the competition receives a cash prize of one hundred thousand dollars along with a major record contract.

Who was the first female contestant to win The Voice?

Cassadee Pope made series history in season three (2012) by becoming the first female singer to win the competition under the mentorship of coach Blake Shelton.

What song did Jordan Smith perform in his blind audition?

Jordan Smith performed an astonishing cover of Sia's pop track "Chandelier," earning an immediate four-chair turn from all four judges in season nine.

What happens if more than one coach turns their chair during a blind audition?

When multiple coaches swivel their chairs, the power shifts directly to the contestant, who listens to each coach's pitch before selecting which mentor's team they want to join.

Did Melanie Martinez win her season of The Voice?

No, Melanie Martinez was eliminated during week five of the live performance shows in season three, but she went on to sign with Atlantic Records and achieve major commercial success with her album Crybaby.

The bottom line

Since its arrival in 2011, The Voice has proved that stripping away visual preconceptions can redefine how television audiences discover musical talent. By grounding its core format in the blind audition, the franchise offers vocalists of all backgrounds, genres, and styles an equal opportunity to captivate listeners through sheer sonic power. As memorable competitors like Cassadee Pope, Sawyer Fredericks, Christina Grimmie, Melanie Martinez, and Jordan Smith have illustrated, the broadcast is far more than a simple television tournament—it is a launchpad for lasting musical artistry.