Music
Alexia Jayy Makes History as The Voice’s First Black Woman Winner in 15 Years
Alexia Jayy is the first Black woman to win The Voice in the show’s history. Since its 2011 premiere, the show has produced multiple winners, none of whom have been a Black woman.
A soul and R&B vocalist from Alabama, Jayy entered The Voice and was coached by Adam Levine. Her blind audition of (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, a classic by Aretha Franklin, earned multiple chair turns. Her pre-show career also included serving as a backup singer for Muni Long. She also performed alongside Lauryn Hill in a Grammy Awards tribute to Roberta Flack.
Photo: Instagram
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In the finale, Jayy delivered two performances that secured her win. Her rendition of One and Only and her performance of Lady Marmalade highlighted her vocal ability
“It’s been a while, so I almost forgot what it felt like to win ‘The Voice.’ This is a beautiful reminder, and what better person to win it with than Alexia. She’s ridiculous, so insanely talented,” Levine told USA TODAY
The final lineup included teams led by Kelly Clarkson and John Legend, with Jayy advancing through consistent performances. Her win adds another victory to Adam Levine’s coaching record.
Photo: Instagram
The second-place winner was Liv Ciara, who received no chair turns when she auditioned last season. Third place went to Lucas West, a member of John Legend’s team. Clarkson’s Mikenley Brown finished in fourth place.
Before appearing on The Voice, Jayy had been building her music career. She has released original music, including the single Who Raised You and the EP Mixed Emotions, establishing her experience as a recording artist. She also received a recording contract with Universal Music Group and a cash prize of $100,000.