The mere fact of being chosen by some of the coaches on The Voice already grants the artist a different status, but to become famous or even a respected singer, talent and the audience’s affection are essential.
Several names have graced the stage but haven’t ended up anywhere other than in oblivion, while others, even if they haven’t emerged as winners of the competition, have become some of the most iconic contestants.
Melanie Martinez is one of them, who is now considered a superstar. The path to glory is not easy, but the reality show helps a bit, especially due to the exposure and performances in front of the audience.
The Voice alumni success stories
Melanie Martinez
Melanie Martinez participated in the third season of The Voice in 2012, and since then, she has been capturing the attention of viewers, eventually becoming a respected and successful artist.
With her unique singing style, colorful looks, and two-toned hair, she has managed to win the hearts of listeners. She successfully captivated the coaches with her rendition of Britney Spears’ Toxic during the blind auditions.
Although she didn’t emerge as the winner of the season, she showcased her versatility by performing various songs spanning genres like pop and indie. Her stage presence and distinctive voice stood out at every stage of the competition.
She made it quite far in the competition but was eliminated in the semifinals, finishing in fifth place. Her departure was a surprising and controversial moment, as many fans and followers believed she deserved to advance to the final.
Christina Grimmie
Christina Grimmie participated in the sixth season, which took place in 2014. The talented singer impressed the coaches with her rendition of Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball” during the blind auditions.
Her powerful voice and unique style caught the attention of the coaches, and Adam Levine, Usher, and Shakira all turned their chairs for her. Christina ultimately chose to be part of Adam’s team, the lead singer of Maroon 5.
Throughout the competition, she showcased her versatility by performing a variety of genres, from ballads to pop and rock songs. Her on-stage charisma and vocal ability propelled her through the rounds, earning admiration from everyone.
She reached the final, and her performances of “Some Nights” by fun. and “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley were highlighted in the final rounds. Although she didn’t win the season, Christina finished in third place.
Loren Allred
Loren Allred participated in the third season and impressed the coaches with her powerful rendition of “When Love Takes Over” by David Guetta and Kelly Rowland during the blind auditions. Her distinctive voice and ability to convey emotion led her to join Adam Levine’s team in 2012.
Despite her evident vocal talent, Loren Allred was eliminated in the battle rounds, which was surprising for many viewers and fans who considered her voice one of the standout performances of the season.
Although she didn’t win the competition, her participation provided a platform for advancing her musical career. After the show, she continued pursuing her passion for music and released her own music, including singles and albums.
She gained significant visibility years after her competition when she performed the song “Never Enough” for the soundtrack of the movie The Greatest Showman, starring Hugh Jackman, Zendaya and Zac Efron.
Jordan Smith
Jordan Smith participated in the ninth season, and since 2015, he has become one of the favorites of the reality show. His impressive vocal range and emotive performances earned him chair turns from all the coaches, but he chose to join Adam Levine’s team.
Throughout the competition, he continued to amaze the audience with his unique vocal ability. He performed a variety of genres, from emotional ballads to energetic pop songs. His ability to connect with the audience and convey authentic emotions stood out in every stage.
One of Jordan’s most memorable moments on the show was his rendition of “Somebody to Love” by Queen during the live rounds. This performance garnered praise and is considered one of the best in the history of The Voice. He reached the final and ultimately was crowned the winner.
Cassadee Pope
Cassadee Pope participated in the third season and auditioned blind, performing “Torn” by Natalie Imbruglia. Her impressive performance caught the coaches’ attention. Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, and CeeLo Green turned their chairs to want her on their teams, but she chose to join Shelton’s team.
One of her most emotional moments on the show was her rendition of “Over You,” a song co-written by Blake and Miranda Lambert. This performance moved the audience and the coaches, contributing to her success in the competition.
She reached the final and was ultimately crowned the winner. Her victory made her the first woman to win the show, leading to the release of her debut album “Frame by Frame,” which included singles like “Wasting All These Tears”.
Sawyer Fredericks
Sawyer Fredericks participated in the eighth season and auditioned blind, performing “I’m a Man of Constant Sorrow.” His distinctive folk-country voice impressed the coaches, but he chose to join Pharrell Williams’ team.
His focus on folk music and his ability to put his own twist on songs earned him praise. One of Sawyer’s standout performances on the show was his rendition of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” during the live rounds.
He reached the final and was crowned the winner. His victory was attributed to his authenticity, distinctive vocal abilities, and his ability to connect with the audience.
After winning the show, he released albums like “A Good Storm” and continued his musical career in the folk and country genres. He has maintained a presence in the music scene and has continued to build his fan base.
Koryn Hawthorne
Koryn Hawthorne was a standout contestant in the eighth season of The Voice, which aired in 2015. Not only did she impress coaches and the audience with her powerful voice and unique style, but she quickly became a fan favorite.
One of the most memorable performances was Koryn’s rendition of Ed Sheeran’s “Make It Rain” during the live rounds. This performance garnered praise and showcased her ability to tackle challenging songs with confidence.
She managed to reach the final, and her consistent delivery and vocal talent led her to compete in the show’s last rounds. After her participation, she continued her musical career, releasing gospel music and gaining recognition in the contemporary Christian music scene.
Morgan Wallen
Morgan Wallen is one of the more recent stars to emerge from The Voice, and he has become one of the most successful as well. He auditioned with the song “Collide” by Howie Day, managing to impress Shakira and Usher, but he ultimately chose Usher as his coach.
The star and rapper convinced the young talent after recognizing his unique voice and offering extensive constructive criticism, which has helped the aspiring artist improve. Although he progressed through rounds, he didn’t manage to become the champion.
He was eliminated in the Playoffs, but this did not mean he wouldn’t become a major influencer in the music industry; quite the opposite. After his time on the reality show, he continued composing and giving performances on various stages.
Eventually, he became a recognized figure in country music at just 30 years old. In March 2023, he achieved the top position on the Billboard 200 after selling 500,000 copies in one week of his album “One Thing at a Time”.
Danielle Bradbery
Danielle Bradbery participated in the fourth season, alongside several contestants who have left a significant mark on the show. Her distinction was related to her impressive vocal talent, which stood out during the blind auditions with her rendition of Taylor Swift’s “Mean”.
Throughout the competition, Danielle showcased a powerful voice and exceptional ability to adapt to various musical genres. Her performances in both country and pop genres made her stand out in different stages of the program.
One of Danielle’s standout moments on the show was her performance of “Maybe It Was Memphis” by Pam Tillis during the live rounds. She reached the final of the fourth season and was ultimately crowned the winner, becoming the youngest winner of the show at that time.
Sasha Allen
Sasha Allen also participated in the fourth season and left a lasting impression with her powerful voice and exceptional talent. She auditioned with the song “Not Ready to Make Nice” by Dixie Chicks. Her impactful performance led coaches Adam Levine, Shakira, and Usher to turn their chairs, all wanting her on their teams.
One of her standout moments on the show was her rendition of “Alone” by Heart. Although she did not win, she made it far in the competition and advanced to the final rounds, securing a spot in the top 5 of the fourth season.
After her time on the show, she continued her career in music and the performing arts. Sasha has been involved in Broadway productions, including playing the lead role in “Hair”. She has also released her own music and worked as a backing vocalist for renowned artists.
