Niall Horan claims victory on 'The Voice' as Gina Miles is crowned the winner: 'Very special to me'
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Reigning cowboy Blake Shelton saddled up for his last rodeo on âThe Voice.â
The country music star and longtime coach joined Kelly Clarkson, Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper for the Season 23 finale Tuesday night, which also marked his final show on the NBC singing competition. Shelton, who has appeared on every season of âThe Voiceâ since its 2011 debut, is exiting the reality-competition series after a historic 12-year run.
Shelton walked into the finale with a pair of vocalists gunning for victory, country stalwart Grace West and soul-rock powerhouse NOIVAS.
Some of Sheltonâs famous pals joined him for his farewell show, including onstage appearances by former âVoiceâ coaches Adam Levine and CeeLo Green. Green performed a lively â80s medley alongside former Team Blake contestants in honor of Shelton, while Levine greeted Shelton with a playfully heartwarming message at the start of the show.
âDonât screw it up. Itâs your last show: Youâve had a great run,â Levine joked. âJust kidding, I love you very much. ⊠You look great. What else is there to say?â
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Hereâs what else went down on Tuesdayâs episode.
NOIVAS thanks Blake Shelton for giving him âthe strength to keep fightingâ
Team Blake singer NOIVAS was joined by Shelton for a tender performance of the judge's ballad âHome.â
Later in the show, NOIVAS thanked Shelton for helping him in the revival of his music career.
âThank you so much for believing in me,â NOIVAS told Shelton. âI quit music for almost seven years, and I came back and every step of the way you helped give me the strength to keep fighting and keep going.â
Unfortunately, Shelton couldnât help get NOIVAS over the finish line. The singer came in fifth place.
Sorelle says it was âan honorâ to work with Chance the Rapper
Sister trio Sorelle of Team Chance performed an uplifting cover of âO-o-h Childâ by Five Stairsteps alongside Chance the Rapper for the finale.
Sorelle gushed about their time working with the Grammy-winning rapper throughout the show.
âItâs meant so much to us just to have you believe in us and encourage us to always be who we are,â the group said. âItâs been an honor to work with you and a pleasure to get to know you.â
However, Team Chance was unable to clinch victory in the end, as Sorelle came in fourth place.
D.Smooth calls Kelly Clarkson âa blessing to my lifeâ
Team Kelly singer D.Smooth and Clarkson teamed up for a double dose of emotion, performing an aching rendition of âSlow Dancing in the Darkâ by Joji.
D.Smooth kept the lovefest going when he thanked Clarkson for her mentorship on the show.
âI love you to death, girl,â D.Smooth told Clarkson. âThank you for seeing me for who I am and allowing me to shine. Iâm so grateful for you. Youâve been a blessing to my life.â
But D.Smoothâs lucky streak on âThe Voiceâ came to a halt. The singer came in third place.
Who won Season 23 of âThe Voiceâ?
The final showdown for the Season 23 title was between Team Blake singer Grace West and Team Niall singer Gina Miles.
West performed a soaring cover of Sheltonâs âLonely Tonightâ on the finale stage, and she was joined by her loyal coach for the performance.
âItâs honestly meant the world,â West said of Sheltonâs trust and friendship. âAs a performer, I feel like I have developed so much (with) your advice and just overall belief in me.â
Miles and Horan brought some Big Apple flair to Hollywood, slowing things down with a soulful performance of âNew York State of Mindâ by Billy Joel.
âYour friendship and your mentorship has been very special to me, and I love you,â Miles later told Horan. âThank you for choosing me and giving me this opportunity.â
It turns out Horan made the right choice in the end, as Miles was declared the winner of Season 23, giving the freshman coach (often referred to as Shelton's "son") his first victory on the show.
Catch up on this season of 'The Voice':
'I let him steal you':Chance the Rapper shades Blake Shelton during 'The Voice' finale
Blake Shelton threatens to disownNiall Horan as 'son' on 'The Voice' over singer Gina Miles
'He's just so funny':Niall Horan talks bond with 'dad' Blake Shelton on 'The Voice'
'The Voice':Did Blake Shelton's playoff pass singer make it to the semifinals?
'I'm so happy':Blake Shelton uses final steal on 'The Voice' on Team Kelly singer
'He belongs on my team':Blake Shelton uses last battles steal on 'The Voice' to get back singer