12 Most Successful ‘The Voice’ Contestants: Where Are They Now?

Discover how top ‘The Voice’ contestants turned reality TV fame into enduring success across genres, charts, and media.

By Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach

Created on Jun 5, 2025

Discover how top ‘The Voice’ contestants turned reality TV fame into enduring success across genres, charts, and media.

12 of the Most Successful ‘The Voice’ Contestants

The Voice has produced hundreds of talented singers since premiering in 2011. While some faded from the spotlight, others have built careers that rival or surpass their reality TV origins. This article explores twelve contestants whose post-show journey exemplifies what it means to turn a singing competition win—or even a loss—into lasting industry success.

1. Koryn Hawthorne

Koryn Hawthorne, a member of Pharrell Williams’ team and Season 8 finalist, transformed her exposure on The Voice into gospel music stardom. She holds the record for the longest-charting woman on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart thanks to her hit singles “Won’t He Do It” and “Speak the Name.”

Multiple Grammy nominations for Best Gospel Performance/Song.
Other nominations include Billboard Music Awards and Soul Train Music Awards.
Pioneered contemporary gospel by blending pop and soul elements.

Hawthorne’s journey highlights how genre specialization can pay off with awards and loyal audiences.

2. Melanie Martinez

Season 3’s Melanie Martinez may not have won, but her quirky style and creative vision built her into a modern pop icon. After the show, Martinez independently released music, broke out with the debut single “Dollhouse,” and delivered two bestselling concept albums: Cry Baby and K-12.

Both albums reached the Billboard 200, cementing her mainstream presence.
K-12 was accompanied by a self-directed feature film, displaying her creative control.
Her aesthetic and songwriting cultivated a devoted, global fanbase.

Martinez’s ability to connect visually and sonically with younger audiences shows the post-TV power of branding and narrative artistry.

3. Jordan Smith

Jordan Smith, Season 9 winner and four-chair turn, became renowned for his vocal range and emotional performances. Post-The Voice, Smith’s launch into Christian music was swift and successful:

Three No. 1 songs on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart.
Wrote “Ashes” for Deadpool 2, performed by Celine Dion.
Represented Kentucky on NBC’s American Song Contest, where he placed third.

Smith’s cross-genre appeal and songwriting contributed to his enduring visibility.

4. Morgan Wallen

Few alumni have shaken up the industry more than Morgan Wallen. Eliminated in the Playoffs during Season 6, Wallen found fame in Nashville, quickly evolving from pop roots on The Voice to country superstardom.

Four No. 1 singles, multiple platinum albums.
2020 CMA New Artist of the Year and multi-format chart success.
Media publicity, controversies, and a loyal fanbase fueled album sales and streams.

Wallen’s meteoric rise demonstrates how reality TV exposure can help artists get noticed for career-defining pivots.

5. Cassadee Pope

Season 3 winner Cassadee Pope was the first female country singer to win The Voice. She leveraged her popularity into sustained country radio and awards presence.

Grammy nomination for “Think of You” (with Chris Young, Best Country Duo/Group Performance).
Released three studio albums including Thrive and successful singles like “Tomorrow Night.”
Transitioned from pop-punk beginnings (Hey Monday) to Nashville mainstream.

Pope’s success underscores the benefit of TV elevation for artists skilled in reinvention.

6. Girl Named Tom

Family band Girl Named Tom (Season 21 winners) marked the show’s first trio to claim victory. Their harmonious blend of folk, pop, and country gained momentum after the finale.

Debut EP and album release post-win.
National tours and strong streaming numbers illustrate wide fan appeal.
Showcase the growing place of group acts in modern talent competitions.

Their rise signals a growing diversity in show winners and marketability beyond solo acts.

7. Nicolle Galyon

Although eliminated in Season 2’s Battle Rounds, Nicolle Galyon pivoted to songwriting, becoming one of Nashville’s most respected writers and producers.

First No. 1: “We Were Us” (Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert).
Co-written major hits for Lady A, Kenny Chesney, Florida Georgia Line, and more.
Grammy nominations for Lambert’s “Automatic” and Dan + Shay’s “Tequila.”
Serves as co-producer and mentor to emerging talent (helped launch RaeLynn).

Galyon’s story demonstrates how offstage discovery can spark industry power and artistic influence.

8. Sawyer Fredericks

Sawyer Fredericks, Season 8 winner, charmed audiences with his unique folk-blues style. Post-The Voice, Fredericks forged an “indie” path:

Released multiple independent albums and EPs.
His debut album A Good Storm entered the Billboard 200.
Praised for honest songwriting and soulful guitar work.

Fredericks’s career underscores the viability of building a grassroots audience in the streaming era.

9. Danielle Bradbery

At just 16, Danielle Bradbery won Season 4, setting records as the youngest winner at the time. With Team Blake behind her, Bradbery’s career boasts:

15 songs charted on Hot Country Songs.
Collaborations with Thomas Rhett and Diplo, performed by Nick Jonas.
Fourth studio album Danielle (The Epilogue) released in 2024.
Extensive touring, including joining Megan Moroney in 2025.

Bradbery’s longevity highlights the value of flexibility and adaptation in country and pop crossover markets.

10. Christina Grimmie

Season 6 favorite Christina Grimmie finished third but went on to viral superstardom. Her powerful voice and piano skills secured millions of followers before her tragic death in 2016.

Released several EPs and albums, including “With Love.”
Notable collaborations, charity work, and legacy foundation supporting young artists.
Awarded posthumous honors for her impact on digital music culture.

Grimmie’s global fanbase and posthumous recognition reflect how digital communities extend TV power.

11. Maelyn Jarmon

Maelyn Jarmon won Season 16 as Team Legend’s first champion. Known for haunting, ethereal vocals, she has branched into musical theater and continues to record music.

Popular singles include “Wait For You.”
Take on the role of Cathy in The Last Five Years (2024 stage production).
Active content creator, regularly releasing covers and original material.

Her path reflects the success of blending stage and recording arts post-The Voice.

12. Todd Tilghman

The season 18 winner Todd Tilghman stands out for his heartfelt blend of country and inspirational music.

Several singles and a holiday EP since winning.
Performed with Blake Shelton at the Grand Ole Opry.
Recent music included on the soundtrack for the film No Address, dedicated to homelessness awareness.

Tilghman exemplifies how media exposure can help artists enact social impact through new projects.

SEO-Friendly Table: Contestant Achievements

Contestant	Season	Breakout Achievement	Most Recent Work
Koryn Hawthorne	8	Record-setting gospel hits, Grammy nominations	Multiple chart-topping singles
Melanie Martinez	3	Concept albums, pop stardom	K-12, film projects
Jordan Smith	9	No.1 Christian songs, Celine Dion collaboration	American Song Contest finalist
Morgan Wallen	6	Country superstardom, multiple platinum albums	Double album Dangerous
Cassadee Pope	3	Grammy-nominated single, three albums	Thrive
Girl Named Tom	21	First trio winners, strong streaming	National tours, EP
Nicolle Galyon	2	Grammy-nominated songwriter	RaeLynn’s WildHorse
Sawyer Fredericks	8	Billboard albums, indie success	Ongoing indie music releases
Danielle Bradbery	4	Youngest winner, multiple hit singles	Danielle (The Epilogue)
Christina Grimmie	6	Global YouTube fame, posthumous honors	The Christina Grimmie Foundation
Maelyn Jarmon	16	Folk/pop singles, musical theater roles	The Last Five Years (2024)
Todd Tilghman	18	Inspirational singles, Nashville performances	No Address soundtrack

Key Factors Driving Success After ‘The Voice’

Genre Pivoting: Artists finding commercial success often shift genres post-show (e.g., Wallen from pop to country).
Songwriting and Collaboration: Contestants like Nicolle Galyon made their mark as behind-the-scenes creatives and mentors.
Brand and Merchandise: Melanie Martinez built a visual and narrative brand extending beyond albums.
Awards and Nominations: Grammy, CMA, Billboard, and other honors bring critical legitimacy.
Digital/Streaming Platforms: Success metrics shifted towards streams and online communities (Sawyer Fredericks, Christina Grimmie).
Social and Cultural Impact: Artists leveraging attention to drive charitable or awareness projects (Todd Tilghman, Christina Grimmie Foundation).

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is considered the most commercially successful The Voice contestant?

Morgan Wallen stands out due to his chart-topping singles, platinum albums, and major industry awards. His success in country music—including four No. 1 singles and a double album—is unmatched by most alumni.

How have The Voice contestants fared compared to those from other reality competitions?

Unlike American Idol and America’s Got Talent, The Voice alumni often achieve success off the show in songwriting, genres outside pop, and niche markets rather than consistently topping pop charts. The career paths are more diverse, including behind-the-scenes work and independent artistry.

Can non-winners from The Voice become successful?

Absolutely. Contestants like Melanie Martinez, Morgan Wallen, and Nicolle Galyon built larger audiences or industry impact as non-winners than some show victors, demonstrating that visibility and unique artistry matter more than winning the season.

Does genre choice affect contestant longevity?

Yes. Country, gospel, indie-folk, and pop offer various commercial and touring opportunities. Contestants who pick or shift to market-friendly genres tend to build more sustainable careers.

Conclusion

While The Voice is primarily a platform for discovering vocal talent, the show’s legacy lies in its ability to launch varied, sometimes unexpected, routes to stardom. Whether through radio hits, industry awards, creative reinvention, or grassroots popularity, the most successful alums exemplify what it means to leverage talent competition fame into real-world achievement—both on and off the stage.