Watch the 'Perfect' 19-Year-Old Country Singer Who Earns Blake Shelton's Final Turn on 'The Voice'
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The OG coach admits he 'got shook' thinking about the end of his 23 seasons.
All good things must come to an end. For Blake Shelton, the last remaining original coach who's well into his final season on The Voice, that means tonight was the final time he would push the big his red button and turn his chair for a talented artist.
The OG coach had one spot left on Team Blake when 19-year-old Grace West from Canton, Michigan, took the stage to sing the Pam Tillis' country classic, "Maybe It Was Memphis."
Blake turned first, followed closely by Niall Horan who valiantly tried to convince Grace to join his team.
"Your voice is impeccable. You are such a real born storyteller, Niall said.
"Obviously, I'm up against this (gesturing to Blake) and he is a country superstar and that's where you're probably leaning. But I was brought up on traditional Irish music, which obviously led me to country music...I've spent a lot of time in Nashville writing songs of my own with country songwriters. And I know for a fact people of America [imitates Southern accent] are gonna love you."
Related: The Voice Reveals Its Season 23 Mega Mentor and Big Changes to the Competition
Niall asked if she was a songwriter. When she said yes, that opened a door for Blake, who recounted moving to Nashville when he was 17 and working for a publishing company.
"But I always wanted to just be a country singer," he said. "My dream was to be on the radio one day. So I relate to that so much. And you have this thing that I don't really feel like any of the artists your age really have anymore. I actually hear Pam Tillis in your voice. I have one spot left on my team. I would be honored if you would join the last Team Blake as the last person that I will ever hit this freakin' worn-out button for."
Blake's usual competition for talented artists, Kelly Clarkson, who didn't turn for Grace, offered the young singer a bit of surprising advice.
"I 100% believe in you," Kelly said. "I cannot wait to see what you do on the show. And I can't believe I'm doing this, but it's his last season. I will say Blake is a great coach for you in this sense. I love Niall, and Niall has been killing it ...but I also have known Blake for years, and he's the guy that really does help artists out."
A shaken Blake declared, "I love Kelly Clarkson."
Kelly added, "This is my gift to Blake Shelton—on his way out."
Chance the Rapper brought the attention back to the big question: "Grace, here comes the hard part. Who would you like to coach you?"
Blake and Niall both did Blake's trademark finger point above their heads and chanted "Come on, Grace. Come on, Grace."
It was no surprise that she chose Team Blake.
Related: Read Blake Shelton's Heartfelt Goodbye To The Voice
With his team officially full, Blake stood up and yelled, "Yes! That's it! That's my last one. I'm finished" as shook hands with Chace, Niall and Kelly.
"The thing I love about Grace's voice is that there's no mistaking she's country," Blake said. "She's the perfect female country singer."
In a pretaped chat with host Carson Daly, Blake opened up about his final chair turn as clips of Blake through the years appeared behind the pair.
"Man, I gotta tell you, I'm sitting here talking about Grace right now. My heart swells up, you know, to think about my journey on this show, 23 seasons, and for the last artist for me to hit this button for. I didn't let it take over. I can't show any emotion. But I did get a little shook up."
What an incredible artist to end your run on," Carson added.
The Voice airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT, streaming next day on Peacock.
