The lights dimmed, Carson Daly did that long, dramatic pause he’s perfected over twenty-odd seasons, and suddenly, the room felt about ten degrees hotter. We’ve all seen it before, but Season 27 of The Voice felt... different. Maybe it was the return of Adam Levine, or maybe it was just the raw caliber of the The Voice 2025 finalists. Honestly, by the time we hit the May 2025 finale, it wasn't just about who could hit a high C. It was about who had the grit to survive a season where the coaching panel looked more like a Grammys after-party than a reality show.
Michael Bublé wasn't just there to be the "nice guy" anymore; he was there to build a dynasty. And let’s be real, Team Adam coming back into the mix threw a wrench in everyone's strategy. People were skeptical. Could the "OG" still pick a winner after years away?
The Five Who Stood Their Ground
When the dust settled, we were left with five artists who couldn't be more different if they tried. You had the seasoned pros, the "Tik-Tok famous" prodigies, and the dark horses who basically snatched their spot in the final seconds of the Instant Save.
- Adam David (Team Bublé): The man from Fort Lauderdale who basically lived a movie script. He’s 35, a former addict with five years of sobriety, and he plays at rehab centers to help people heal. When he sang "Baby, I Love Your Way" in the Blinds, only Michael turned. One. That’s it. Everyone else missed out, and he ended up winning the whole thing. It goes to show that the "four-chair turn" isn't the only path to the crown.
- Jaelen Johnston (Team Kelsea): Only 21 years old and hailing from Derby, Kansas. This kid was a powerhouse. He was Kelsea Ballerini’s "Super Save," which is a wild way to make it to the end. He did "What Was I Thinkin’" by Dierks Bentley in the finale, proving that country music still owns a massive chunk of The Voice voter heartland.
- RENZO (Team Legend): If you recognized him, it’s probably because he was Dennis Lorenzo on American Idol years ago. He’s a science teacher from Philly—"Professor Renzo" to his students—and he brought this polished, R&B-meets-rock vibe that John Legend ate up. He was the "cool" finalist.
- Lucia Flores-Wiseman (Team Adam): Adam Levine’s big hope. She’s Mexican-American, from Washington state, and her 4-chair turn of "La Llorona" was probably the most viral moment of the season. She’s got that Norah Jones/Amy Winehouse soul that makes you stop scrolling.
- Jadyn Cree (Team Bublé): The "pop-punk" princess of the group. Her dad is actually Bryan Olesen (who nearly won Season 25), so the talent is clearly in the DNA. She fronted an 80s cover band back in Nebraska with a bunch of guys in their 60s. That kind of experience gives you a stage presence you just can't teach.
Why Team Bublé Is Dominating Right Now
It is kinda wild to think about, but Michael Bublé has basically become the new Blake Shelton in terms of winning streaks. After Sofronio Vasquez took the title in Season 26 (late 2024), Bublé came into the Spring 2025 season with a target on his back.
He didn't care.
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He leaned into the "Dad" energy but paired it with some seriously savvy song choices. Taking a guy like Adam David—who only got one chair to turn—and turning him into the Season 27 winner is a masterclass in coaching. It wasn't about flashy runs; it was about the "raspy, earnest voice" that felt authentic. In a world of Auto-Tune, people just wanted to feel something.
The Adam Levine Factor: Did the Return Work?
Look, everyone was talking about Adam’s return. The banter between him and John Legend is legendary, but did it help the contestants? Lucia Flores-Wiseman was arguably the most "artistic" singer in the finale. Adam pushed her toward those indie-folk arrangements that felt very "Maroon 5 B-side," and it worked.
But here’s the thing: the show has changed since Adam left. The "Super Save" and the way the Playoffs are structured now means you can't just rely on being the "star coach." You have to actually navigate the social media voting blocks. Adam’s return brought the ratings, but Bublé’s "everyman" charm seems to be what’s resonating with the voters lately.
The Numbers Don't Lie (Sorta)
While NBC doesn't release the exact vote counts—they guard those like the Krabby Patty formula—the engagement on YouTube and TikTok for the The Voice 2025 finalists told the story early on. Lucia and Jaelen were the kings of "views," but Adam David was the king of the "overnight vote."
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It’s that classic The Voice dilemma: Who is going to actually pick up the phone (or the app) and vote?
What Most People Get Wrong About the Finale
There's this myth that you have to be a four-chair turn to win.
Wrong.
Adam David proved that.
There's also this idea that the "stolen" artists never make it.
Wrong again.
Darius J (who didn't make the Top 5 but made the Semis) was a steal from Team Adam to Team Kelsea. The movement between teams actually helps these artists build a bigger fanbase because they’re getting "endorsed" by multiple celebrities.
Actionable Takeaways for the Next Season
If you're a fan—or someone dreaming of standing on that carpet—here is what we learned from the 2025 cycle:
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1. Story Matters as Much as the Voice
Adam David’s journey through recovery wasn't just a "sob story." It was his identity. Voters connect with people who have overcome something. If you’re auditioning, don't hide the messy parts.
2. The "Super Save" is a Game Changer
Don't turn off the TV when your favorite gets "eliminated" in the Knockouts. The coaches have more power now to bring back "the one that got away." Jaelen Johnston is living proof that being "cut" is sometimes just a plot twist.
3. Genre Fluidity is King
RENZO went from Hozier to Lynyrd Skynyrd to Billie Eilish. If you stay in one lane, you get boring by week three. The finalists who survived were the ones who kept us guessing.
4. Watch the "Quiet" Coaches
Everyone focuses on the Adam vs. John ego battles. Meanwhile, Bublé is in the corner picking the perfect Bob Dylan song for a soulful singer and walking away with the trophy. Twice.
The 2025 season showed us that The Voice isn't just a singing competition anymore. It’s a survival marathon. Whether you were Team Legend, Team Adam, Team Kelsea, or Team Bublé, the talent was undeniable. But at the end of the day, it was the guy with the guitar and the honest story who took the 100k and the record deal.
If you want to keep up with what the finalists are doing now, your best bet is following their individual "Road to the Album" journeys on Instagram. Most of them, especially Lucia and RENZO, have already started dropping independent singles to capitalize on the TV buzz. Don't wait for the label to tell you they're famous—they're already building it themselves.