Honestly, music reality shows usually follow a pretty tired script. You know the one. A singer with a tragic backstory hits a high note, the coaches spin their chairs like they’ve just witnessed a miracle, and then everyone forgets who won three weeks after the finale. But The Voice USA Season 13 felt different. It was 2017, the air was thick with "girl power" vibes, and we witnessed one of the most statistically dominant winners the show has ever seen.
If you weren't glued to the TV that December, here's the vibe: Chloe Kohanski, a raspy-voiced rocker from Nashville, basically broke the iTunes charts. She didn't just win; she owned the season. But the crazy part? She almost didn't even make it past the Knockouts.
The Stolen Star: Why Chloe Kohanski Almost Lost
It’s kinda wild to think about now, but the winner of the season was actually fired by her original coach. Chloe started on Team Miley. Miley Cyrus, who was back after a break, clearly wanted a "punk rock Dolly Parton" on her team. When the Knockouts rolled around, Miley paired Chloe against Ashland Craft.
Miley chose Ashland.
That could have been the end. A total "what if" moment in TV history. But because of the "Steal" rule, Blake Shelton and Jennifer Hudson both lunged for their buttons. Chloe picked Blake, and the rest is history. That move turned out to be Miley’s biggest tactical error. By the time the finale hit, Chloe was performing "White Wedding" with Billy Idol himself. Talk about a glow-up.
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The Heavy Hitters: Who Else Was in the Mix?
While Chloe was the runaway favorite, the Top 4 was actually stacked. You had:
- Addison Agen (Team Adam): The 16-year-old folk prodigy. She was the runner-up and, honestly, her rendition of "Humble and Kind" by Tim McGraw made half of America cry. She was so young but sang like she’d lived three lifetimes.
- Brooke Simpson (Team Miley): A powerhouse from the Haliwa-Saponi tribe. She came in third and was probably the most technically gifted vocalist in the group. Her "O Holy Night" was legendary.
- Red Marlow (Team Blake): The "no-frills" country guy. He came in fourth, providing that classic Nashville grit that Blake loves.
The Coach Shuffle: Jennifer Hudson’s Debut
Season 13 gave us a fresh dynamic on the panel. We had the mainstays, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton, who were basically an old married couple at that point. Miley Cyrus returned with her high energy, but the real spark came from Jennifer Hudson.
JHud brought that "Voice UK" energy to the US stage. She was throwing shoes (her version of a standing ovation) and brought a level of diva-tier expertise that forced the other coaches to step up. She didn't win her first season, but she definitely changed the temperature in the room.
The advisors were equally big names. Kelly Clarkson was the "Key Advisor" for everyone before she officially joined as a coach in Season 14. We also saw Joe Jonas helping Team Adam, and Kelly Rowland assisting JHud. It was a massive year for star power.
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That Weird Chart Dominance
You have to understand how much the iTunes charts mattered back then. The show had a rule: if your song hit the Top 10 on iTunes, your votes got a 5x multiplier. Chloe Kohanski was a permanent resident of that Top 10.
Her covers of "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "I Want to Know What Love Is" weren't just good; they were chart-toppers. People weren't just watching her on TV; they were actually buying her music. That was a rarity for the show. Usually, contestants struggle to find a real audience, but Chloe’s raspy, 80s-inspired rock sound filled a gap that pop radio was ignoring.
The Finale Highlights (And the Awkward Bits)
The finale wasn't just about the results. It was a two-night extravaganza.
The performances were... a lot. Sia performed "Titanium" with Brooke Simpson while standing in a life-sized doll box. It was peak Sia. Then you had Miley and Brooke doing "Wrecking Ball," which felt a little bit like Miley was outshining her own contestant.
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But the real heart was the "Original Songs." This was a newer feature for the show. Chloe’s "Wish I Didn't Love You" perfectly highlighted her "cracks and breaks" vocal style. It felt authentic. It didn't feel like a cookie-cutter pop song written by a committee, even if it technically was.
Why This Season Still Matters
The Voice USA Season 13 was the moment the show realized it could find a specific type of artist—the "Alternative Rocker"—and make them mainstream. It proved that Blake Shelton's coaching wasn't just for country singers. He knew how to market a voice, regardless of the genre.
Chloe eventually changed her stage name to chloe mk, but her victory remains a high-water mark for the series. It was a season where the talent actually matched the hype.
Actionable Insights for Voice Fans:
- Watch the "Steals" closely: Season 13 proved that the artist who gets "saved" often has the most momentum because they have something to prove.
- Follow the charts: If you want to predict a winner in current seasons, look at streaming numbers and social engagement. The "silent majority" of voters usually shows up there first.
- Check out the "Originals": If you're a songwriter, go back and listen to the Season 13 original tracks. They represent a shift in how the show tried to launch actual careers rather than just TV stars.