The Voice concluded its 29th season with a landmark moment as Alexia Jayy was crowned champion, making history as the first Black woman to win the competition in its 15-year run.
In a thrilling finale on April 14, the competition narrowed to four finalists: Alexia Jayy from Adam Levine's team, Liv Ciara and Mikenley Brown from Kelly Clarkson's team, and Lucas West from John Legend's team. The season, dubbed "Battle of Champions," featured a coaching panel where every mentor had previously won the show.
Alexia's victory marks Adam Levine's fourth win, tying him with Kelly Clarkson for second-most wins by a judge—a record currently held by Blake Shelton. But the significance extends far beyond coaching statistics.
"You have one of the best voices I've ever heard on this show, ever," Adam told the 31-year-old singer during her audition, where she performed Aretha Franklin's "(You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman" and turned all three judges' chairs.
Alexia maintained her frontrunner status throughout the season, culminating in finale performances of Patti LaBelle's "Lady Marmalade" and Adele's "One and Only." Her rendition of the latter prompted a memorable reaction from Kelly Clarkson.
"Look, I love Adele, she's one of my favorite singers, but damn," Clarkson said. "Just promise me this—never cover my songs."
John Legend praised Alexia's consistency, calling her "remarkable" during every performance, while Adam Levine highlighted the emotional impact of her artistry.
"You make people reflect on their own life," Levine said. "When you tap into that, you make the world feel a little bit more together and communal. That's really, really, really special. I've never experienced the feeling we all just had together. Thank you for being the messenger, you're unbelievable."
When host Carson Daly announced Alexia as the winner, the mother of 9-year-old Matthew burst into tears that quickly turned to celebration.
"We won," Alexia exclaimed in an Instagram Story shared after the finale, adding the caption "Just the beginning…" over the clip.
Her victory comes with substantial rewards: a home recording studio, a $100,000 cash prize, and a record deal opportunity with Universal Music Group. Alexia has already released her new single "Rent Free," which is now available for streaming.
Reflecting on coaching another champion, Adam Levine told cameras, "I'd say I can't believe it, but I can. There is no one that is more deserving of this honor."
The historic win represents a milestone for The Voice, celebrating both exceptional talent and meaningful representation in the music competition landscape.