There was no denying that Danielle Bradbery looked every part a winner during the season finale of The Voice on Tuesday, June 18. Her long blonde hair was perfectly styled, she wore a strapless pageant-style gold mermaid gown, and she even had a glisten in her eye that hinted at pre-victory waterworks.
But the 16-year-old Texas native still wasn't fully prepared when show host Carson Daly announced her name as the winner of the fourth season of the hit NBC singing competition, ahead of fellow finalists Michelle Chamuel and duo the Swon Brothers.
"I don't even know right now. I'm so thankful. I'm sorry … I'm speechless," Bradbery managed to stutter as gold glitter fluttered down onto the stage and her family and coach Blake Shelton joined her onstage.
The petite country singer could only manage the first few lines of "Born to Fly" before her tears of happiness and emotions prevented her from finishing off the ballad.
Geeky rocker Chamuel came in second place, and the Swon Brothers inched in at third place for the season, despite having a strong fan base and chart-topping hits on iTunes.
Prior to the winner announcements, Bradbery thanked Shelton for his help in guiding her to be a better singer, a better person, and ultimately, a victory (his third win in four seasons).
"You're an amazing coach and you're an amazing person," she said onstage. "You taught me so much and I'm so thankful to have you in my life and I love you so much."
Chamuel and the Swonn Brothers similarly expressed their appreciation for their coaches Usher and Shelton, respectively.
"Thank you so much for being you, and for encouraging me to be me," Chamuel said in an emotional moment. "[Thank you] for showing so much dedication and passion for what you do."
During Monday night's first part of the season finale, fellow coach Adam Levine had predicted that Bradbery would ultimately end up taking home the top honors.
"The crazy thing about your voice is it's just so unbelievably perfect and powerful," he told Bradbery after her performance of "Maybe It Was Memphis." "It's one of the better voices I think I've ever heard live."
Also on hand to celebrate the season finale were musical superstars ranging from Cher to Hunter Hayes to Bruno Mars to Nelly.
