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All five of The Voice’s finalists took a turn around the stage Tuesday night, but only one of them was doing a victory lap. Which? C’mon. You know the drill. Before we’d find out who won, we’d get a star-studded evening of entertainment, this one extra special owing to a celebration of the show’s 25th season featuring flashbacks galore. (Baby Adam Levine! Young Blake Shelton!)
Among the highlights of the guest performances were Thomas Rhett teaching a master class in how to nail fast singing on his new single “Beautiful as You,” Muni Long bringing the sultry on her viral hit “Made for Me” while surrounded by chandeliers I kept expecting to go all Phantom of the Opera, and The Black Keys adding the alt to pop-rock with “Beautiful People (Stay High).”
In hour No. 2, Yellowstone’s wild-eyed Lainey Wilson — remember Ryan’s country-singer girlfriend Abby? — really got the party started with her rollicking “Hang Tight, Honey” (after which Reba issued her official invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry). Kate Hudson proved that she’s as solid a singer as she is an actress on her ballad, “Glorious.” (On an unrelated note, her mod wedding dress was gorgeous, no?)
By and by, Season 23 winner Gina Miles gave what was touted as the first performance of her new single, a cover of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game”… even though she’d sung that same ballad in her season’s Playoffs. (Huh?) Carson Daly gave a shout-out to the late Debra Byrd and Ernie Fields Jr., who’d played integral roles in the music on The Voice over the years. And Jelly Roll performed “I’m Not OK” to let me know that his name is not just something that they’d make on the Great British Baking Show.
As for the coach/contestant duets, Dan + Shay’s team-up with Karen Waldrup on Lady A’s “You Look Good” sounded (damn) good, though I wouldn’t have minded if the contestant’s mic volume had been turned up a smidgen. On Joe Bonamassa’s version of “Feelin’ Good,” John Legend brought out the best in Bryan Olesen. (But why was the EGOT winner dressed like Fonzie?)
Later, Reba McEntire and Josh Sanders took us to church with a spirited rendition of Randy Houser’s “Back to God.” (I’m sure I’m going to hell for thinking it wasn’t nearly as much fun as his cover of Houser’s “Boots On.”) Next, she and Asher HaVon were kinda mismatched on Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald’s ’80s hit, “On My Own.” Aaand John and Nathan Chester blew the other duets clear off the stage with their version of “When a Man Loves a Woman.”
Finally, in the moment of truth, Carson Daly announced that the audience had voted into…
Fifth Place
Karen Waldrup (Team Dan + Shay)
Fourth Place
Nathan Chester (Team John Legend) — Nooo! Gutted!
Third Place
Bryan Olesen (Team John Legend)
Runner-Up
Josh Sanders (Team Reba McEntire)
Winner
Asher HaVon (Team Reba McEntire)
So, your thoughts about the results? And the season as a whole? Vote in the polls below, then read Asher’s take on the competition here.
The voice finale was excellent and the results were amazing but so right on!! Wishing them all the best and a bigger success!! Congratulations To Reba twice in a row!
Voice season 25 was flush with emotion, chemistry, and personality. You felt like there was a family atmosphere and the viewer felt part of it. Lastly, no better talent could be assembled by any one.
Sigh,,,,,,,,,,, I SO tire of the the “country Western stuff.” I so wish they would just move singers forward for the talent they have, not the style of music ….
I was disappointed that Bryan made it to top 9, then semi’s, then placed ABOVE Nathan! America must be tone deaf. That’s the only complaint I have. I have always been on Asher’s team, glad he won! Nathan should have been 2nd, though, and I would have been ok with him winning, if Asher didn’t. I thought most of your critiques right on. 😊
After reading some of the comments I agree that Nathan could be seen as “cheesy”, I thought so at first, too. I came to the conclusion that it was from his years on cruise ships, so was more Vegas-y. But Bryan IMO was downright CHEESY. He over sang and over acted in every performance. I appreciate that he had something to prove and respect him for his efforts, but I don’t think he should have gotten so far. I still think the best person won! Love Asher!
Not surprised by the results as far as the winner goes though both Nathan and Karen are better and will go further in the future. As a Peacock viewer, I watch it the next day (may or may not watch the results show) and did not vote. Suppose I could have without seeing them perform before the 7 am deadline.
I didn’t find this season that exciting. For the first time, I skipped over watching portions of shows or just didn’t watch. I think the finalists are talented, but none are unique or have voices that are extremely interesting to me. I voted for Nathan because I think he’s not only a talented vocalist, but was the best performer.
Asher and Josh in first and second was spot on. These are the two artists who could be on the radio tomorrow, in their respective lanes. Asher simply has an entire orchestra in his vocal cords, an amazing gift. But it’s not just technique with no heart or artistry. He has it all.
I though Bryan should have been gone weeks ago. He only survived because he’s the only one in his lane.
Nathan probably took a hit because some of his fans probably voted Asher. And Chance’s support for Asher may have given anothe rboost. That’s why Nathan placed below Bryan. Solid voice, but just not an A-lister. What would make him stand out as an artist, among everyone out there competing for the airwaves?
Karen is solid, but unremarkable, in my view. But, to tell the truth, I think she’s no worse than Lainey Wilson, so no reason why she can’t get a following, with the right songs.
Purely on vocals and artistry, I would have ranked:
Asher
Josh
Karen
Nathan
Bryan
I think there are a few artists cut earlier in the season (Anya True, for one) than could make it to the A-list with the right material. For the ones who are songwriters like Anya, all it would take is one great song to take off.
Congrats to Asher who has a great voice however he is too flamborant for me to see him in person. I think Nathan coming in 4th place was ridiculous as his talent and stage performances were amazing and I hope he gets a contract. I would buy his music and see him perform live.
Reba was going to win this no matter what.. She is Reba F’ing McEntire. If you didn’t know her from Country Music., you knew her from television on either Reba or Young Sheldon… and if that wasn’t enough, she was freaking Annie Oakley on Broadway. I don’t believe their had EVER been a judge on the Voice with a larger fan base. Don’t believe me… she won with a fem-presenting, GLBTQ+ POC. Yes, Asher it super-talented.,.. but Reba gave her stamp on him and her approval of him is what got him the win. And she pushed him hard…. how many times did she mention God when describing Asher’s gift? She sold him perfectly and they both deserve the win.