Cassadee Pope was crowned winner of The Voice on the Season Three finale. The 23-year-old native of West Palm Beach, Florida, a member of country singer Blake Shelton's team, beat out runner-up Terry McDermott and third-place finisher Nicholas David.
"I'm feeling amazing!" said Pope, who earned $150,000 and a record deal with Universal Republic. "Thank you to everyone who voted for me. And all the fans. And Blake. And the producers. Wardrobe. Hair. Makeup. Carson [Daly]. The band. Christina [Aguilera]. Everybody. Seriously."
Shelton, who has now mentored back-to-back winners, joined Pope onstage as confetti fell. The singer, wearing a sparkly, floor-length blue dress, hugged her coach while mouthing "I can't believe it!" and "Oh my God!"
Video: Cassadee Pope Pulls Away From the Pack on 'The Voice'
Pope, who left her post as lead singer of the pop-punk outfit Hey Monday to audition for The Voice, emerged as a frontrunner as early as the first auditions when she delivered an impassioned rendition of Natalie Imbruglia's "Torn." The singer, who features a pop-punk sound not dissimilar to Avril Lavigne (with whom she performed during the finale), expanded her repertoire during the season, peaking with her rendition of Shelton's ballad "Over You," a performance she reprised for last night's telecast.
Being crowned the winner was the crowning achievement of a fabulous night for Pope, one that saw her share the stage with music royalty: early in the evening she performed "Here With Me" with the Killers, followed by "Catch My Breath" alongside Kelly Clarkson, and she rounded out her evening with a duet of "I'm With You" alongside her role model, Lavigne.
Moments after confirming her as the winner of Season Three, Daly made reference to Pope now officially being a solo artist. "You were in a band of boys. You don't need those boys anymore," he said. To which Pope replied, "I'm all alone!"
