The Voice Recap: And Your Season 15 Winner is…

This is it, folks! The final episode in what has been an exciting season 15 for NBC’s The Voice. The talent has been exceptional, the competition fierce, and it all just went by a little too quickly.

With four aspiring stars remaining—Team Kelly’s Chevel Shepherd, Team Jennifer’s Kennedy Holmes, and Team Blake’s Kirk Jay and Chris Kroeze—the show filled their time slot first by recapping the contestants’ performances and then featuring enough special guests to create a musical extravaganza. As host Carson Daly said, “We have a 100-pound show in a 50-pound bag.”

In addition to music, the show looked back at the special relationships each of the remaining contestants had formed with their coaches and offered some hilarious glimpses at Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton’s funny bones.

Early in the show, Kelly did impart some very sage advice that, although directed to her girl, Chevel, truly applies to all aspiring artists. She said, “Even if you win or if you don’t win, it’s still hard work afterward. It doesn’t matter either way. It’s still a hustle to make your dreams happen. I just want her to get ready for the ride.

Kennedy kicked off the live performances of the finalé. Singing “When Love Takes Over” with Kelly Rowland, the 14-year-old was as polished and professional as a seasoned veteran and was completely unfazed by her duet partner’s expertise.

Producer and DJ Marshmello and British band Bastille were up next with their smash, “Happier.”

Kirk had the next superstar collaboration, appropriately with his own musical influences, Rascal Flatts. With all four gentlemen standing behind microphones, Kirk and the band’s Gary LeVox swapped verses on the romantic ballad “Back to Life,” with Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney supplying harmonies.

In a brilliant reminder of how immense this season’s talent truly was, show finalists Patrique Fortson, Kymberli Joye, DeAndre Nico and MaKenzie Thomas sizzled together covering Kenny Loggins’ “This Is It.” Then Reagan Strange, Sarah Grace, and Abby Cates turned in a glittering rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Million Reasons.”

When Chris returned to the stage for his collaboration, he was actually revisiting a song he had previously performed on the show, only this time, the Doobie Brothers joined him for the raw and gritty “Long Train Runnin’.”

Season 14 winner of The Voice, 15-year-old Brynn Cartelli, debuted her sassy new single, “Last Night’s Mascara.” Carson spoke to the young singer-songwriter after and she announced that she had just signed a record deal with Atlantic. Brynn will be on select dates of Kelly Clarkson’s “Meaning of Life Tour.”

Rockers Panic! At the Disco lit up “The Voice” stage with a fun performance of “Hey Look Ma, I Made It” and “High Hopes” from their album Pray for the Wicked.

Upcoming season 16 coach John Legend stopped in to say hello and offer up a little Christmas cheer. He and jazz singer Esperanza Spalding delivered a classic version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

Keeping in the spirit of the season, Kelly and Jennifer hit the stage together for a dramatic performance of “O Holy Night.”

Chevel followed her coach’s duet with a collaboration of her own. Showing remarkable poise and maturity, she joined Grammy-nominated Dan + Shay on the duo’s brand new chart-topper, “Speechless.”

Then, in a night that was proving to be very country-centric, Dierks Bentley stepped up to the mic to sing the fan favorite hit, “Burning Man,” from his current smash album, The Mountain.

Halsey was next in the line-up singing and dancing to her current single, “Without Me.”

Finally, the moment of truth had arrived. The Top 4 finalists took the stage dressed in their finest attire.

Coming in at fourth place was the youngest finalist ever, Kennedy Holmes from Team Jennifer.

The third place contestant was Team Blake’s “country till I die” singer, Kirk Jay.

With second place going to Team Blake’s Chris Kroeze, the winner of season 15 of The Voice is the “country Tinkerbell,” 16-year-old Chevel Shepherd.

Congratulations to Chevel and all of the contestants. We look forward to hearing more from all of you! And Voice fans, we’ll see you next season when the show returns on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019.