The Voice Finale: Who Won $100,000 & A Recording Contract?
May 9 2012, Published 2:00 p.m. ET
He believed he could fly -- and he was right!
Jermaine Paul was crowned this season's champ of NBC's The Voice Monday, as the 33-year-old Blake Shelton protégé claimed the grand prize of $100,000 and a record deal following his rousing performance of R. Kelly's signature ballad, I Believe I Can Fly, on Monday's episode.
"I just want to say thank you to everybody that supported me from day one," said the weeping New Yorker, who's worked as a backup singer for Alicia Keys.
The Voice Torn Apart By Adam Levine & Christina Aguilera’s Explosive Brawl
A beaming Shelton congratulated his student, telling him, "You did it, you did it!"
Paul edged Cee Lo Green's contestant Juliet Simms, who came in second; former Mouseketeer Tony Lucca, who was coached by Levine, finished third; and Christina Aguilera's contestant, Chris Mann, finished fourth.
- Dolly Parton 'Off the Wagon' After Lifetime of Teetotalling! Jolene Singer, 78, 'Finally Hitting Bottle After Launching Wine Range'
- Crooner War! How Sir Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck's Furious 60-Year Feud Is Still Exploding
- Reformed Con Jelly Roll 'Stunned' to Be Sworn in As Deputy Sheriff: 'He was Convinced He Was Doomed to Spend Rest of Life in Jail!'
DAILY. BREAKING. CELEBRITY NEWS. ALL FREE.
Last season's winner was Javier Colon.
Tuesday's finale also featured performances from Justin Bieber singing Boyfriend; Daryl Hall and John Oates singing Rich Girl; and Lady Antebellum, who performed Wanted You More.
RELATED STORIES:
Voice Feud Rages! Christina Aguilera 'Disgusted' At Adam Levine’s Jabs
The Voice: Adam Levine & Christina Aguilera Clash Over Jay-Z’s 99 Problems
'Princess' Christina Aguilera Hogs The Spotlight In Fishnets And Tiara