Since its premiere in 2011, The Voice US has produced numerous artists. The contest has become a launching pad for them, some of whom have carved successful careers.
With a prize pool consisting of US$100,000 and a record deal with Universal Music Group, The Voice US has witnessed memorable voices and unique talents that won the hearts of viewers.
The high stakes and exposure offered by the show have been instrumental in shaping the careers of these artists. Without further ado, let us present to you 10 of the most successful singers from The Voice US. Enjoy reading!
1. Danielle Bradbery
The country-pop singer Danielle Bradbery was the winner of season 4. At this point, she was the youngest to win at 16. Though Bradberry had little experience, her natural-born talent shone through and captured the hearts of judges and viewers alike.
During the competition, Bradbery consistently impressed America with her performances. One of the most memorable was her version of Carrie Underwood’s “Wasted.” Her victory on the show marked the fourth consecutive win for Team Blake.
After her The Voice win, Bradbery released three albums and numerous singles, of which 15 were on the chart. Her 2017 hit “Sway” gained more than 63 million streams on Spotify. Her 2020 single “Never Have I Ever” reached #58 on the US Country charts.
2. Cassadee Pope
When Cassadee Pope won season 3, she became the first female and the first country singer to win. She is already a well-recognized figure in the music industry, but her win further propelled her to prominence.
Pope made a remarkable impression with her punk, pop-rock, and country music performances under Team Blake. One of the songs she performed on the show, “Over You,” topped the iTunes chart, knocking down PSY’s “Gangnam Style” to #2. Another song, “Stupid Boy,” topped iTunes.
Following her win, Pope signed with Republic Nashville and released her lead single, “Wasting All These Tears.” It entered the Billboard Hot 100 in 37th place and the Hot Country Songs in 7th place.
In late 2022, Pope returned to her pop-punk roots with the single “RSVP.” And in July 2023, she released her latest single, “Almost There.”
3. Jordan Smith
The winner of The Voice‘s season 9 is Jordan Smith from Harlan, Kentucky. He has gone on to establish himself as a gospel singer, songwriter, and musician.
His journey on The Voice was filled with memorable moments that showcased his exceptional talent. He was the first contestant of the season to reach #1 in sales of pop songs in the iTunes Store. By December 2015, he was the highest-selling singer to compete on The Voice.
In addition, a week after his win, he was the first artist to hold the top two positions on Billboard‘s Christian Songs with his rendition of “Mary, Did You Know?” and “Hallelujah.”
Smith also wrote the song “Ashes” for the movie Deadpool 2, which Celine Dion performed. In 2022, he represented Kentucky in the American Song Contest with an original song, “Sparrow.” He finished third in the Grand Final.
4. Koryn Hawthorne
Representing Louisiana in season 8, Koryn Hawthorn rose to fame despite placing fourth on the show. She became known for her soulful voice and captivating stage presence.
On the show, she impressed judges and viewers with her powerful renditions of songs like “My Kind of Love,” Make It Rain,” and “Everybody Hurts.” The judges often praised her emotional depth and vocal process.
After The Voice, Hawthorn released her self-titled EP, which earned her two Stellar Gospel Music Awards nominations. Her full-length debut album, Unstoppable, followed in 2018. It took the top spot on the Top Gospel Albums. The lead single, “Won’t He Do It,” topped the Billboard‘s three main gospel charts.
Hawthorn made a record for being the first woman to top four gospel charts in five years. She also became the longest #1 female artist holder on Billboard‘s Hot Gospel Songs Chart.
5. Morgan Wallen
Though Morgan Wallen didn’t win season 6, he established a successful career post-The Voice. The show helped him establish connections in the music industry.
Following his elimination from the show, Wallen signed with Panacea Records and released his debut EP in 2015. The following year, he signed to Big Loud and released his debut album, If I Know Me. It topped the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
He followed it with Dangerous: The Double Album, which made the record for being the only country album in the history of Billboard 200 to remain #1 for seven weeks. The album features the songs “More than My Hometown” and “7 Summers.”
Yet another successful album is One Thing at a Time, which dominated the Billboard 200 for 12 concurrent weeks. All of its songs entered the Hot 100. The song “Last Night” topped the Hot 100 in 2023.
6. Loren Allred
Despite not appearing in the 2017 film The Greatest Showman, Loren Allred became known for her stunning performance of the song “Never Enough” from the film’s soundtrack.
But five years prior, Allred joined season 3 of The Voice under Team Adam Levine. She was eliminated, but that set the stage for her successful music career.
Aside from her work in The Greatest Showman, Allred worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. In 2019, she worked with Michael Bublé on the song “Help Me Make It Through the Night.” She also worked with Andrea Bocelli on his 2021 USA Tour.
More projects followed, with fellow music artists praising Allred’s voice. Allred’s vocals and performances continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
7. Nicolle Galyon
Born in Sterling, Kansas, Nicolle Galyon rose to prominence when she joined The Voice‘s season 2 under Team Adam Levine. Though she was eliminated in the battle rounds, Galyon would be remembered for her performances, including her rendition of “You Save Me.”
Galyon’s journey didn’t stop after her stint on The Voice. She struck friendships with season 2 contestant RaeLynn and country star Miranda Lambert, whom she credited for kickstarting her songwriting career.
Galyon penned songs for several prominent artists, including American Idol‘s Lauren Alaina, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, RaeLynn, Kenny Chesney, and Thomas Rhett, among others. “Automatic,” which she co-wrote with Lambert, won ACM’s Song of the Year and CMA’s Single of the Year. By 2023, she had written nine #1 hits.
8. Sawyer Fredericks
Winning season 8 of The Voice made Sawyer Fredericks the youngest male to win — he was 16 years old at the time. His deep, powerful vocal delivery made him a fan favorite on the show.
Some of his memorable performances under the mentorship of Pharrell Williams include Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man.”
After winning The Voice, Fredericks released his self-titled EP, reaching #2 on the Billboard Folk chart. It was a busy time for him touring, creating music, and performing.
Some of his songs appeared on TV shows, such as “Silent World” on the Netflix original series Longmire and “This Fire” on the TV show Code Black.
9. Tessanne Chin
The Jamaican recording artist Tessanne Chin gained international recognition when she won season 5 of The Voice. She was part of Adam Levine’s team and was known for her memorable performances.
Chin wasn’t new to performing. Before her The Voice stint, she was a backup singer for Jimmy Cliff. She also released an independent album and several singles.
In The Voice, Chin was able to showcase her powerful vocals and charismatic stage presence. Her version of “Bridge over Troubled Water” topped the iTunes chart and peaked at #64 on Hot 100. Her rendition of “I Have Nothing” also topped the iTunes chart, making her the first contestant of the season to achieve the top chart position twice.
Chin’s success on The Voice elevated her career and brought international attention to Jamaica. Despite her fame, she remains rooted in her Jamaican heritage, often incorporating elements of it into her music.
10. Christina Grimmie
Before joining season 6 of The Voice, Christina Grimmie was already a YouTube star, posting her covers of songs on the platform. She had released a debut EP and a debut studio album and had two million subscribers on YouTube by the time she joined The Voice.
Her blind audition on the show in 2014 made a lasting impression on both judges and viewers. It showcased her natural talent and set the stage for a successful run on the show.
Grimmie had a wide vocal range spanning three octaves and three notes. Usher often referred to her as a “baby Céline Dion” during her time on the show.
Tragically, Grimmie’s rising career was cut short when she was fatally shot after a concert in Florida in 2016. The news of her death shocked the world. Despite her passing, her legacy continues to live on through her music and the memories of her powerful performance on The Voice.
Summing Up Our List Of Successful The Voice USA Singers
The Voice has already produced 23 winners and other non-winners who established a successful career in music. Through the years, this platform has showcased a diverse range of talent across various music genres.
Indeed, The Voice has proven to be more than just a singing competition. It’s a platform that transforms promising singers into successful artists.
As of this writing, The Voice‘s season 24 is underway, with more than six million viewers watching each episode. And before the year ends, there will be new artists who will follow in the footsteps of their successful predecessors.
