Honestly, if you go back and watch clips of The Voice Season 5, it feels like a fever dream compared to the polished, almost clinical vibe the show has nowadays. It was 2013. The chairs were still shiny, the "steal" was a fresh novelty, and the chemistry between the coaches hadn't turned into a scripted routine yet. People forget how much was riding on this specific cycle. After a somewhat lackluster fourth season where we saw Shakira and Usher fill in, the "Original Four" finally came back together. Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, CeeLo Green, and Christina Aguilera were back in their big red thrones, and the energy was just... different.
It worked.
The ratings were huge. But more than that, the talent was actually undeniable. We aren't just talking about people who could hit high notes; we’re talking about artists who actually had a perspective.
The Return of the OG Coaches and the Tessanne Chin Factor
When people search for info on The Voice Season 5, they usually start with Tessanne Chin. And for good reason. Before Tessanne showed up, there was this weird, unspoken rule that reality singing competitions were for "amateurs" only. Then walks in this powerhouse from Jamaica who had already toured with Jimmy Cliff. She wasn't some kid singing in her bedroom; she was a seasoned pro who just needed a platform.
Adam Levine knew it instantly.
Watching Adam navigate that season was fascinating because he was obsessed with winning. He was tired of Blake’s winning streak. Blake had won three times in a row with Jermaine Paul, Cassadee Pope, and Danielle Bradbery. The rivalry wasn't just for the cameras back then; you could feel the genuine frustration in Adam’s eyes. When he landed Tessanne, the shift in power was palpable.
But it wasn't just a one-horse race. You had James Wolpert, who looked like an Apple Store employee but sang like a rock god. You had Jacquie Lee, a 16-year-old powerhouse on Christina’s team who was probably the most technically gifted singer that year.
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Why the "Steal" Changed Everything This Season
The "Steal" was still relatively new, and in The Voice Season 5, it created some of the most dramatic moments in the show's history. Remember Will Champlin? The guy was a musical nomad. He started on Team Adam, got stolen by Christina, and then Adam—in a move that felt like a movie script—stole him back later in the competition.
That doesn't happen anymore. Today, the coaches are almost too polite. Back then, they were cutthroat.
Will eventually finished third, proving that the "Steal" wasn't just a gimmick to keep people on the show; it was a legitimate second chance for artists who had been overlooked in the initial Battle Rounds. It added a layer of strategy that made the Knockouts actually worth watching.
Breaking Down the Finalists
Let's get into the weeds of the finale. It was Tessanne Chin vs. Jacquie Lee vs. Will Champlin.
Tessanne's performance of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is still widely considered the best vocal performance in the history of the show. Seriously. Go find it on YouTube. It was the first time a song hit #1 on the iTunes charts before the voting even closed. She didn't just sing the song; she dismantled it and rebuilt it.
Jacquie Lee was the runner-up, and while she didn't win, she represented a specific era of Team Christina—pure, unadulterated power vocals. Christina Aguilera wasn't there to play "mentor" in a soft way; she was there to build vocal titans.
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The CeeLo and Christina Exit
Looking back, The Voice Season 5 was bittersweet because it was essentially the beginning of the end for the original coaching panel. CeeLo Green left after this season, and Christina began her cycle of taking long breaks before eventually leaving for good.
There was a specific "lightning in a bottle" feel to this group.
Blake was the country king, Adam was the pop-rock strategist, Christina was the vocal technician, and CeeLo was the eccentric visionary. When that balance broke, the show's DNA changed. It became more about the coaches' "schtick" and less about the genuine, weird friction that made the early years so compelling.
The Numbers Nobody Talks About
If you look at the data, Season 5 averaged about 13 to 15 million viewers per episode. By today's standards for a linear TV show, those are "Super Bowl" numbers for a random Tuesday night. It was the peak of the show's cultural relevance.
People weren't just watching; they were buying the songs. This was the era where the "iTunes Bonus" actually mattered. If an artist got into the Top 10 on the charts, their votes were multiplied by ten. This created a real-world metric for success that kept fans engaged beyond just clicking a button on an app.
What Happened to the Stars of Season 5?
This is where the reality of the music industry kicks in.
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- Tessanne Chin: She released Count on My Love under Republic Records, but like many Voice winners, she struggled with the label's lack of promotion. She’s still a massive star in the Caribbean and performs globally, but the "American Mainstream" never quite caught up to her talent.
- Jacquie Lee: She stayed in the industry, releasing EPs and touring, eventually pivoting to a more indie-pop sound under the name Jacquie.
- Cole Vosbury: The guy with the beard and the soulful voice? He’s still active, playing shows and staying true to that Southern rock-soul vibe that made him a fan favorite on Team Blake.
- Matthew Schuler: His rendition of "Hallelujah" broke records, but he has largely stayed out of the massive commercial spotlight, focusing on smaller projects and live performances.
Why We Won't See Another Season Like This
The TV landscape has shifted. In 2013, you had to watch it live to know what happened. Now, you just watch the 60-second clip on TikTok. The Voice Season 5 benefited from being the last gasp of "appointment television."
Also, the "Original Four" had a level of comfort with each other that allowed them to be genuinely mean and genuinely loving in the same segment. Newer coaches are often too worried about their "brand" to truly let loose.
If you’re a fan of vocal competitions, Season 5 is the blueprint. It had the technical perfection, the coaching drama, and the one thing most seasons lack: a clear, undeniable winner who felt like a superstar from the first note of her audition.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Artists
If you are looking to revisit this era or understand why it worked so well, here are the takeaways:
- Study the "Bridge Over Troubled Water" arrangement: For any aspiring singer, Tessanne Chin’s technical control in that performance is a masterclass in breath support and emotional dynamics.
- The Power of the Song Choice: Notice how Adam Levine picked songs for Will Champlin that highlighted his musicianship (playing piano/banjo) rather than just his voice. This is a key lesson for any performer: don't just sing, show the whole package.
- Don't ignore the early seasons: If you're a new fan of the show, going back to watch the Season 5 Battles (especially the "I'll Be There" battle with Tessanne) provides a much better understanding of the show's original mission compared to the current "mega-mentor" era.
- Support the artists directly: Since many of these performers didn't get the "label push" they deserved, finding their independent work on Bandcamp or Spotify is the best way to see how they've evolved since the red chairs.