The Voice celebrates 10 successful years in Season 20 finale

Since The Voice started with its remote show in May last year, for the finale of Season 18, the popular and widely followed reality talent competition has inevitably adjusted everything, sans any live audience for the past three seasons.

The Voice Season 20, which concluded last May 26 to mark 10 successful years, was a live show that was completed with a high-brow line-up of guest performers, from Maroon 5 and Justin Bieber to Gwen Stefani and Ben Platt.

It was a delight to see erstwhile The Voice judge and Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine return to perform in the show, where he was not seen since Season 16 after he hung up his judging jersey back in the second season of 2019.

Again, for the most important night of the competition, which was aired live on Fox TV Wednesday morning in Manila, The Voice pulled out all stops to deliver a seamless airing and live streaming of the show.

Although not an early favorite to be proclaimed champion, 19-year-old Cam Anthony from Pennsylvania and a member of coach Blake Shelton’s team, romped off with The Voice Season 20 iconic trophy, brought home $100,000 and a recording contract.

Florida’s big bet, Kenzie Wheeler, who started The Voice as the first image and sound to merit a four-chair turner in the first day of the “Blind Auditions,” back in March, came in second place. A member of Team Kelly Clarkson, Kenzie was the top favorite to win, but apparently, the stars didn’t align on the finale for him.

Texas’ stake Jordan Matthew Young from Team Blake placed third, Michigan teenage wonder Rachel Mac for Team Nick Jonas came in fourth and Illinois’ pride Victor Solomon from Team John Legend was fifth.

All five finalists apparently worked hard to deliver everything expected from them. A day before the finals, they were tasked to perform two cover songs — a ballad that was a special dedication to a loved one and an upbeat number.

On the final night, the talents proudly shared the stage with their coaches. Jordan Matthew sang George Straits’ All My Exes Live in Texas, while Cam performed Fine Young Cannibals’ She Drives Me Crazy with coach Blake.

Victor crooned Donny Hathaway’s Someday We’ll All Be Free with John. Rachel joined her coach Nick in rendering The Foo Fighters’ The Best of You, while Kenzie did a duet with Kelly in Keith Whitley’s When You Say Nothing At All.

Mega mentor this season was rap superstar Snoop Dogg, who graced The Voice show for the first time. Starting from the “Battle Rounds,” he assisted the coaches, as well as the contestants. Snoop Dogg also made a guest performance with DJ Battlecat on the finale, as they rendered Sittin’ On Blades.

Bride-to-be Gwen Stefani delighted with a strong opening slate of her new single, Slow Clap, rendered with Saweetie.

The guests admirably performed their latest singles. Justin Bieber wowed the virtual audience with his latest platinum hits, Peaches and Hold On, now popular tracks from Justice.

One Republic impressed with their newest hit, Run. Ben Platt crooned his latest, Imagine. Lauren Daigle sang her new single, Hold On To Me and Kelsea Ballerini rendered Half of My Hometown.

The most-awaited number, perhaps, was that of pink-haired Adam Levine, who sang Maroon 5’s latest single, Beautiful Mistakes, with Megan Thee Stallion.

Blake, who is trying the knot this year with Gwen Stefani, is the most veteran in The Voice’s coaches pool, being the only original coach from the inaugural episode. The win of Cam Anthony brings Blake’s The Voice coach’s trophies to eight.

Although The Voice will be back in the Fall for its Season 21, the reality talent competition will be reduced to only one show starting next year, coming in only in the latter half of the year. This September, when The Voice returns, Arianna Grande will take the place of Nick Jonas in the judges’ table. Carson Daly marked his 10th year as host.