‘The Voice’ May Launch Careers, But Few Winners Are Chart-Toppers

<p id=”par-1_48″>For over a decade, NBC’s <em><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/the-voice/”>The Voice</a></em> has captivated audiences with powerhouse vocal performances, celebrity coaches, and dramatic eliminations. Yet, despite its massive television success, the show has struggled to produce chart-topping artists. Unlike <em>American Idol</em>, <em>The Voice</em> has had few winners or contestants break into mainstream music.</p>

<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-does-winning-the-voice-guarantee-success”>Does winning ‘The Voice’ guarantee success?</h2>

<p id=”par-2_38″>Winning <em>The Voice</em> may seem like a golden ticket to stardom, but history suggests otherwise. While the show provides contestants with national exposure, <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/the-voice-every-battle-advisor-through-the-years.html/?swcfpc=1″>industry connections</a>, and a recording contract, very few winners have achieved long-term commercial success. </p>

<p id=”par-3_37″>Unlike <em>American Idol</em>, which has produced global superstars like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, <em>The Voice</em> has struggled to launch chart-topping artists. Even recent winners often struggle to maintain a lasting presence in the music industry. </p>

<p id=”par-4_36″>It appears one of the biggest challenges for <em>The Voice</em> winners is the lack of post-show support. While they receive a recording contract, it often lacks the promotional push needed to build a successful career. </p>

<p id=”par-5_45″>The music industry is highly competitive, and without strong songwriting, branding, and sustained marketing efforts, even the most talented vocalists can struggle to break through. Additionally, <em>The Voice</em>‘s rapid production cycle—airing two seasons per year—means the next round of contestants quickly overshadows each winner. </p>

<p id=”par-6_36″>As a result, while <em>The Voice</em> provides a valuable platform for exposure, winning the competition is far from a guarantee of future success. In many cases, the real challenge begins the moment the cameras stop rolling.</p>

<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-few-contestants-have-found-fame”>Few contestants have found fame</h2>

<figure class=”wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio” id=”emb-1″><div class=”wp-block-embed__wrapper”>
<iframe title=”Collide (The Voice Performance)” width=”925″ height=”694″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/8rOzjSGMXc0?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>

<p id=”par-7_41″>Though rare, some <em>The Voice</em> alumni have managed to carve out successful careers. Cassadee Pope, who won Season 3, found success in country music. Her debut album <em>Frame by Frame</em> reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. </p>

<p id=”par-8_38″>Similarly, Season 4 winner Danielle Bradbery has maintained a presence in the country music scene. RaeLynn who was eliminated just before Season 2’s finale, had success with her debut album, <em>WildHorse</em>, which topped the Billboard Country Albums chart.</p>

<p id=”par-9_51″>Past winners such as Javier Colon (Season 1) and Craig Wayne Boyd (Season 7) had promising starts but struggled to maintain momentum in the music industry. Season 8 alum Sawyer Fredericks scored a win when his debut album <em>A Good Storm</em> reached No. 2 on the Billboard Folk Albums chart. </p>

<p id=”par-10_41″>Jordan Smith became one of the show’s most commercially successful winners, known for his powerhouse vocals. His debut album, <em>Something Beautiful</em>, reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200. He later wrote music for other artists, including “Ashes,” performed by Céline Dion.</p>

<p id=”par-11_34″>However, the most commercially successful artist to come from <em>The Voice</em> didn’t even win. <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/the-voice-two-country-stars-eliminations-launch-careers.html/?swcfpc=1″>Morgan Wallen, who was eliminated early</a> in Season 6, went on to become one of country music’s biggest stars. </p>

<p id=”par-12_45″>Wallen’s albums have dominated the charts, proving that success on <em>The Voice</em> is not necessarily a predictor of future stardom. The controversial music superstar recently appeared on <em>Saturday Night Live</em>, where he walked off the stage before the cameras stopped rolling on the show’s credits.</p>

<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-can-the-voice-change-its-track-record”>Can ‘The Voice’ change its track record?</h2>

<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-2″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/carson-daly-kelsea-ballerini-john-legend-michael-buble-adam-levine.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Carson Daly, Kelsea Ballerini, John Legend, Michael Buble, and Adam Levine during The Battles on ‘The Voice'” class=”wp-image-3787135″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Carson Daly, Kelsea Ballerini, John Legend, Michael Buble, and Adam Levine during The Battles on ‘The Voice’ | Trae Patton/NBC</figcaption></figure>

<div class=”related-article related-article–simple”>
<span class=”related-article-flag”>Related</span>
<p class=”related-article__title”>
<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/five-most-blindsiding-eliminations-the-voice-history.html/”>
The 5 Most Blindsiding Eliminations in ‘The Voice’ History </a>
</p>
</div>
<p id=”par-13_26″><em>The Voice</em> has been a fan-favorite singing competition for 14 years and 27 seasons. However, its track record for launching music superstars is noticeably weak. </p>

<p id=”par-14_42″>While the show delivers incredible vocal performances and emotional backstories, it often fails to set up its winners for long-term success. The fast-paced nature of the competition means contestants spend more time covering famous songs than developing their sound or artistry. </p>

<p id=”par-15_16″>But could <em>The Voice</em> change that? Absolutely—if it shifts its focus beyond just the competition. </p>

<p id=”par-16_41″>For starters, the show could help singers create original music and establish a signature style before leaving the show. Additionally, rather than cycling through two seasons a year, a more focused, single-season format could give contestants more time to shine. </p>

<p id=”par-17_51″>Other reality shows, like <em>American Idol</em> and <em>The X Factor</em>, have successfully launched stars by emphasizing artist branding as much as vocal talent. If <em>The Voice</em> adapts its formula and invests more in its winners beyond the finale, it just might start producing the chart-topping artists fans have been waiting for.</p>

<p id=”par-18_51″>Despite its shortcomings, <em>The Voice</em> remains a beloved television show that provides talented singers with national exposure. Whether that exposure translates into lasting fame, however, remains an open question. For now, it seems that while <em>The Voice</em> may open doors, it doesn’t guarantee a place at the top of the charts.</p>

<p id=”par-19_32″><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/the-voice-coaches-lasted-two-seasons-or-less.html/?swcfpc=1″><em>The Voice</em> coaches</a> for Season 27 include Kelsea Ballerini, John Legend, Michael Bublé, and Adam Levine. The series, which is hosted by Carson Daly, airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.</p>

(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *