Season 5 Results and Winner
Season 5 of The Voice (2013) crowned Tessanne Chin as the winner, making her the first and only winner from Team Adam Levine. This was also the first season where a coach won with an artist from their own team in the show’s history. Tessanne, a Jamaican singer known for her powerhouse vocals, defeated Katrina Parker in the finale. The finale aired in December 2013 and featured the traditional final performances and voting window that culminated in the reveal. No midseason twist or alteration changed the outcome after live results concluded.
Coaches and Advisors
Season 5 featured returning coaches Adam Levine (Maroon 5), Blake Shelton (country), Christina Aguilera, and Pharrell Williams. This lineup remained unchanged from Season 4 and provided continuity for viewers. Former coach Shakira returned as an advisor to Team Pharrell during the Knockouts, marking a notable crossover collaboration. Advisors and guest mentors often appear to enrich specific battles and knockouts, adding star power and specialized expertise without altering the core coaching roster.
Coaching Lineup at a Glance
| Coach | Team | Notable Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Levine | Winner (Tessanne Chin) | First win by this coach; first artist from his team to win |
| Blake Shelton | Runner-up (Katrina Parker) | Coached the season’s runner-up |
| Christina Aguilera | Third place (Emma Stevens) | Contributed to a top-three finish |
| Pharrell Williams | Fourth place (Tori Kelly) | Guided an artist to the finale as a first-time coach |
Notable Contestants and Performances
Season 5 featured a strong roster of vocalists, including country hopefuls and soulful stylists. Katrina Parker advanced to the finale as Blake Shelton’s finalist, while Emma Stevens and Tori Kelly delivered memorable performances that kept them in contention. Tori Kelly, later signed to Capitol Records, leveraged her visibility from the show into a sustained recording career, releasing albums and earning Grammy recognition. Emma Stevens gained a dedicated fanbase, and Katrina Parker maintained a steady presence in the country scene post-show. These contestants defined the season’s vocal standard and demonstrated the show’s ability to spotlight diverse genres.
Format and Rule Changes
Season 5 introduced the Knockouts, a new round between the Battle Rounds and Live Playoffs where artists faced off within or across teams for survival. Advisors, including Shakira for Pharrell’s team, provided strategic input. The introduction of the Knockouts increased competitive tension and expanded screen time for contestants. The Live Top 12 format continued with standard voting windows, and results shows featured recurring performances from guest artists, maintaining the series’ blend of competition and spectacle.
Ratings, Reception, and Legacy
Season 5 maintained solid viewership for NBC, averaging in the low millions per episode during the live rounds. Critical reception noted the season’s strong vocal performances and the successful addition of the Knockouts, though some viewers found the increased drama inconsistent with the show’s original purity-of-voice premise. From a legacy perspective, Season 5 is remembered for launching Tori Kelly’s mainstream career and for Adam Levine’s historic win. The season reinforced The Voice as a reliable pipeline for discovering artists across genres while showcasing the importance of coaching strategy and advisor contributions.
Lasting Impact and Where to Watch
Season 5 remains a reference point for discussions about coaching strategy and artist development on The Voice. Tori Kelly’s post-show trajectory, in particular, illustrates how the platform can convert exposure into a lasting recording contract. The season is available on digital platforms and streaming services that license NBC content, making full episodes and performances accessible for ongoing discovery. For long-term context, it serves as a useful case study in how format tweaks like the Knockouts influence competition dynamics and artist trajectories.