The final round of The Voice season 29 took place on 14/4, broadcast on NBC. Alexia Jayy's victory was not a surprise, according to Billboard, as she had been recognized as a strong contender from the early rounds, drawing comparisons to iconic singers Whitney Houston and Lauryn Hill. As the winner, she received a USD 100,000 prize, a contract with Universal Music, and a home recording studio setup.

During the final night, Jayy's performances proved her deserving of the top prize. She impressed with her cover of Patti LaBelle's "Lady Marmalade" and a duet of "Sunday Morning" with her coach, Adam Levine. Jayy particularly moved judges Levine, John Legend, and Kelly Clarkson with her unique rendition of Adele's ballad "One and Only".

The emotional impact of Jayy's performance was evident among the judges. Before the song concluded, Adam Levine rose to his feet, while John Legend and Kelly Clarkson applauded. Clarkson praised Jayy's ability to deeply feel the song and convey its emotion to everyone. "Your performance was like a release my heart needed. I love Adele, she's one of my favorite singers, but you are amazing," Clarkson said.

John Legend expressed his pride in Jayy, stating that her performance moved all three artists to tears. Adam Levine, speaking last, suggested that Jayy's artistry made everyone reflect on life. "When you reach that limit, you make the world feel a bit more connected, a bit more united. This is truly special. I've never experienced the feeling of everyone sensing something similar. Thank you for bringing that; you are extraordinary," he said.

This year's runner-up was Liv Ciara from Team Kelly Clarkson. Lucas West from Team John Legend placed third, and Mikenley Brown (Team Clarkson) ranked fourth.

The Voice season 29 winner and coach Adam Levine. Photo: NBC

Born in 1993 in Alabama, US, Alexia Jayy was an R&B singer before joining The Voice. She had previously performed background vocals for renowned artists, including Lauryn Hill at this year's Grammy Awards and Muni Long on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2022. In an interview with Flaunt, Jayy revealed her lifelong passion for music, stating she wanted to be a singer from the age of two and joined a music group at 9. "When I went to college, I sang again. I just kept singing. I've spent most of my life singing, and I'm trying to continue doing that," she stated.

Jayy's personal journey, including her experience as a single mother, has deeply influenced her music. She was a single mother for a period after giving birth to her son at 21. A few years later, she had a daughter with her current boyfriend. In 2021, she released her first music video, "Who Raised You", which was inspired by her time raising her child alone.

First launched in 2011, The Voice US is based on the original Dutch show. The competition takes place twice a year, in spring and autumn, in the US. Many notable figures, including Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Shakira, Usher, Pharrell Williams, Gwen Stefani, Alicia Keys, and Miley Cyrus, have served as coaches.

Season 29, titled The Voice: Battle of Champions, introduced several format changes, according to NBC. It featured only three judges instead of the previous four. In the Blind Auditions, the three coaches competed in "The Triple Turn Competition", vying to secure the most contestants who turned all three chairs. The winner received a special advantage in the next round.

Further format adjustments were made for the later stages. For the Battles round, the coach who won the most "Triple Turn Competitions" gained a "super steal" privilege, allowing them to "steal" a member from another team. In the Knockouts round, coaches could recruit two former team members from previous seasons. Additionally, for the first time, the show opened voting groups for long-time fans (super fans) and former The Voice contestants. Season 30 will begin this autumn, with no air date yet set.

Phuong Thao (according to Billboard, Deadline, People)