‘The Voice’ Finale: Jake Hoot Wins Season 17, Kelly Clarkson Receives Third Win

Country music is back on top after Jake Hoot won the latest season of The Voice on Wednesday night. Hoot who was the only country singer in the show’s 17th season where he was able to hand Kelly Clarkson her third win in four seasons as a coach.

Hoot’s rise as an underdog in the competition is inspiring as his Blind Audition only attracted one chair. He can thank the hooters for his win. Clarkson admitted, “I’m a Hooter for life” referring to the passionate fan base responsible for the win. Clarkson added, “That’s right, Mom. That’s what I said.”

The Tennessee native expressed gratitude to Clarkson for helping him grow as an “artist and a person, and with your love of your kids, you’ve made me a better parent.”

100 CELEBRITIES WHO DIED IN 2019 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

Hoot, 31, is a single father to 4-year-old daughter, Macy. He received only one chair turn by Clarkson for his cover of Luke Combs’ “When It Rains It Pours.” 

Coach Blake Shelton had his hand over the button but didn’t press it thinking Clarkson would use his her block on him, he thought wrong. Shelton’s decision cost him a seventh win in the competition. 

“Jake, I’m so proud of you. You are a one-chair turn, man, and you’re standing in the finale,” said Clarkson during the final episode. “I’m so honored to be your coach.”

When the votes were done and counted, Ricky Duran, coached by Blake Shelton, finished in second place; Katie Kadan, coached by John Legend, came in third; Rose Short, coached by Gwen Stefani, came in fourth.

This is the first season in seven seasons where every singe coach had a contestant in the finale and had an equal shot at winning the trophy.

“This has been the most talented group of singers,” admitted Clarkson. The two-hour season finale had a concert atmosphere with guest performances and post-competition duets with the Top 4 and their musical idols. 

Kadan and Adam Lambert crushed a powerful rendition of Cher’s “Believe.” Lambert like Kadan finished as runner-up on Season 8 of American Idol back in 2009.

The end of Season 17 is sweet and sour. Stefani will not return next year. The singer will be replaced by Nick Jonas, one of the three Jonas Brothers. 

“I’m so excited to be a part of The Voice family,” Jonas said. “It’s such an awesome group of individuals, and I can’t wait to help these artists really build and hone in to find their unique voices.”