Who is The Voice 2023 winner Gina Miles? Meet the teen star who won season 23 with coach Niall Horan
Gina Miles was crowned the winner of season 23 of The Voice on Tuesday after being mentored by One Direction star Niall Horan.
Gina, 18, originally from Paxton, Illinois, but now living in Sacramento, California, was shocked when her name was announced after a star-studded, two-hour finale on NBC.
Host Carson Daly quipped: 'Gina is absolutely stunned,' after reading out her name before Niall rushed to the stage and hugged her.
Moments before the news was announced, Gina told Niall that she was thankful for their friendship.
'I'm not going to cry but your friendship and your mentorship has been very special to me,' Gina said. 'And I love you. So thank you for choosing me and giving me this opportunity. Love you.'
After her incredible win here's everything you need to know about Gina:
Success: Gina Miles was crowned the winner of season 23 of The Voice on Tuesday after being mentored by One Direction star Niall Horan
Success: Gina, 18, originally from Paxton, Illinois , but now living in Sacramento, California , was shocked when her name was announced after a star-studded, two-hour finale on NBC
Early life:
It was impossible for Gina not to be involved in music growing up with a single dad who DJ'd every weekend.
When she turned 14, she asked him if she could be more involved in his gigs and would help him set up his equipment.
Gina always felt that she wanted to be somewhere bigger than her small Illinois town and performing became a way for her to stand out.
Throughout high school, she realized she wanted to pursue music more seriously.
With her father and stepmother's support, she decided to move in with her aunt in Sacramento.
She attended Paxton Buckley High School and prior to moving after her junior year to finish high school in California, she was a member of the show choir and band at PBL High School
Gina is just 18 years old, making her the second-youngest finalist on The Voice Season 23.
In her blood: It was impossible for Gina not to be involved in music growing up with a single dad who DJ'd every weekend
Music: When she turned 14, she asked him if she could be more involved in his gigs and would help him set up his equipment
Start in music:
While The Voice is for unknown stars to break into the industry Gina has actually made music before.
The singer released her first EP, Who Are You, in 2022.
The EP consists of 5 tracks. Who Are You marked her first drop of original music.
She has previously said that her family support system has gotten her through the hard days.
'I talk to family a lot. That daily phone call, taking to my boyfriend,' she said]
'Having this crazy, big, exciting day and being able at the end to just wind down and have a little piece of home and talk to family has been a big help.'
Star in the making: While The Voice is for unknown stars to break into the industry Gina has actually made music before
Exciting: The 18-year-old singer released her first EP, Who Are You, in 2022. The EP consists of 5 tracks
Her time on the show:
During the blind audition rounds of the show, Gina impressed judges Kelly Clarkson and Niall Horan with her rendition of Katy Perry's The One That Got Away.
Ultimately, she chose to compete as a member of Niall's team.
Throughout the season, she continued to win over the judges and audience.
'It was a big step for me, moving from a small town to California, and I really wanted to take music in a more serious way,' Gina told KCRA.
'My dad always talks about if you can make a career out of something that you love, then you win in life. I really took that to heart with music.'
Friendships on the show:
Gina and Kala Banham faced off in the Battles and performed a stunning duet of Bon Iver's 'Skinny Love.'
Gina won the Battle, but Kala stayed in the competition after being stolen by Kelly and Chance the Rapper.
In a Q&A, Gina and Kala admitted they became close after spending so much time together in practice.
'There's something about achieving a mutual goal with somebody that really bonds you two together. You just get to know someone and know their voice so much when you're working on songs with them,' Gina said.
Incredible: During the blind audition rounds of the show, Gina impressed judges Kelly Clarkson and Niall Horan with her rendition of Katy Perry's The One That Got Away
Here she is: Gina won the Battle, but Kala stayed in the competition after being stolen by Kelly and Chance the Rapper
The season finale also served as a farewell episode to Blake Shelton, 46, who previously announced he was leaving the show after season 23 after being a judge for the past 12 years.
The show featured performances from music stars including Adam Levine and his band Maroon 5, Diplo and Lily Rose, and CeeLo Green.
Blake walked to the stage for his final show through a crowd of enthusiastic backstage workers who all held red foam fingers to commemorate his signature finger pointing trick to get contestants to choose him.
Adam Levine, 44, who was once Blake's chief rival on the show hugged Blake as he took the stage at the start of the show.
Carson asked Adam if he had any final words for Blake.
'Don't screw it up, it's your last run, you've had a great run,' Adam said. 'Just kidding. I love you very much. Have a great show.'
The show kicked off with a 1980's medley by CeeLo, 47, who previously coached on The Voice with Blake. CeeLo started singing John Mellenchamp's song Jack & Diane followed by the Simple Minds song Don't You (Forget About Me).
CeeLo then sang Bon Jovi's Livin' on a Prayer with Blake's previous singers Cam Anthony, Chloe Kohanski, Wendy Molten, and Bodie. When the song ended, Blake rushed to the stage and hugged CeeLo.
The first duet of the night was by Gina and Niall who performed Billy Joel's New York State Of Mind. Niall said the song was on Gina's list of songs that she wanted to sing.
'It's also one of my favorite songs to sing and every time I get drunk, I sing it at karaoke,' Niall revealed.
Toosii took the stage next and the rapper performed his viral hit Favorite Song. The crowd cheered for him when he finished.
The show then shared clips of Blake's time on The Voice including when he first started working with his now wife Gwen Stefani, 53.
'Who would have thought this Orange County girl and this country guy from Oklahoma would find each other on the set The Voice,' Gwen said in a video.
'When I first came on the show our lives we were having this parallel destruction happening and then next thing you know Blake and I started becoming like besties and falling in love. To find my soul mate, it's hard for me to even talk about it without getting super emotional,' Gwen added.
Gwen said Blake had truly changed people's lives on the show.
'The Voice is the reason that I met Blake Shelton and my life completely changed after that,' Gwen said. 'Blake, have a great finale, we love you and I'll see you at home.'
Blake clapped and Carson shared that Gwen would be coming back as a coach next season. Blake said that Gwen and him review it weekly that they met on the show.
'It's been the greatest thing that has ever happened to me in my life,' Blake said.
Blake then performed his hit Home with his finalist Novias, 30, from Jasper, Texas. Before he took the stage, Blake gave him a new guitar. The two sang on a stage that had a pickup truck and a country backdrop. Blake hugged him when they finished.
Diplo and Lily Rose sang their song Sad In The Summer and the crowd cheered for them when the song was over.
Carson took a moment to thank the U.S. Army Field Band for being part of the finale show. The military band then performed One Republic's song I Lived. Band members sang in their uniforms accompanied by a harpist.
Dolly Parton, car racer Jimmie Johnson , Lindsey Vonn, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Peyton Manning were just some of the celebrities that taped cameos thanking Blake for being the 'G.O.A.T' of the show.
'Trust me it's best to leave when you are on top and Blake you clearly have missed the window,' Peyton quipped. 'Personally, I took up needlepointing and I'll send you a sweater when I'm done.'
'Now I've heard retirement can be lonely,' Dolly said. 'So I suggest maybe getting a goat. How about getting me because I'm a mountain goat. I'm Capricorn.'
'Blake had pushed his button over 600 times, coached more than 300 artists, worn 210 pairs of boots, and drunk 100 gallons of whatever is in this cup,' Carson announced, holding up Blake's cup and taking a sip. 'That is vodka in this cup. Blake, you have had a great run and just like any other GOAT when it's time to walk away from the game, throw in the towel, pack it in and call it a day, we commemorate this big moment!'
Carson announced they would retire Blake's jean jacket. His jean jacket was hung from the rafters in the studio.
'Not a dry eye in the house,' Carson said as Blake laughed.
Carson said that Blake had been in the same chair for all 23 seasons. He then showed a clip of Blake's chair arriving back at his house and Gwen signing for it.
'I love that,' Blake said.
'You can play The Voice at home,' Carson said.
Kelly Clarkson and her team member D. Smooth, 25, from Birmingham, Alabama, performed Slow Dancing In The Dark by Joji. The other coaches gave them a standing ovation.
Chance the Rapper, 30, and his sister trio Sorelle from Lexington, Ohio, performed O-o-h Child by Chicago family group the Five Stairsteps.
Blake's last contestant Grace West, 19, from Canton, Michigan, performed a duet with her coach of his hit song Lonely Tonight.
Maroon 5 then took the stage and sang their new single Middle Ground on a stage that featured flowers shaped like a heart. Blake ran to the stage and hugged Adam when he finished.
The show also included a cute skit of Blake and Niall living together as roommates in the take on the show The Odd Couple.
The show then included celebrity taped messages for Blake.
'Is this like the Elton thing where he is going to have his final season like five times? I'm going to make six of these videos,' Miley Cyrus, 30, said. 'Blake are you pulling an Elton?'
Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Camila Cabello, John Legend and Pharrell Williams, also taped messages for Blake.
'Twenty three seasons I don't even know how you could drink that much liquor,' said Usher, 44.
'Blake it was such an honor to sit next to you for the seasons that I was at The Voice,' Miley said. 'I'm totally lying, it was actually a nightmare.'
'I'm proud to call you my friend,' John said. 'You are the heart and the soul of The Voice.
The show then played a highlight reel of Blake's time on the show while Blake's past singers sang for him, including: Bryce Leatherwood, Jermaine Paul, The Swon Brothers, Danielle Bradbery, Sundance Head, Craig Wayne Boyd Raelynn, Todd Tilgham, Cassadee Pope, Dia Frampton, Ian Flanigan and Xenia.
The all belted out Green Day's song Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life).
Blake smiled watching them all sing to him as video showed his past singers choosing him to be their coach.
'I want to pick you Blake,' they said to him in unison at the end of the song.
Blake went to the stage and hugged them.
'What is going on around here,' Blake said.
Blake said he didn't know what to say especially when he saw two of his season one team members.
Carson told Blake to look at the monitor.
'Hey Blake, just want to say congratulations on your successful run that you had on The Voice,' George Strait said. 'You really stole the show, you really did. Congratulations on that and wish you the best of luck on whatever you decided to do next. I'm sure it will be great whatever it is and I'll see out on the road sometime. '
At the end of the two hour show, Carson announced that Noovas was in fifth place: Sorella was in fourth place: D. Smooth was in third place; Grace was in second and Gina was crowned the winner in first place.
'Thank you, Blake for 23 incredible seasons. You've earned it, buddy. And we love you. Congratulations to Gina Miles,' Carson said as the show ended.
The credits ran and then Blake was shown for a final time holding a box filled with personal items as he left an office.
The moment: Gina was shocked when host Carson Daly named her the winner as Blake's singer Grace West finished in second place
Big hug: Niall hugged Gina after he won The Voice for the first time with her
Blake walked down the hallway, looked back at the camera for a final time and turned the lights out before he left.
The Voice premiered on NBC with Blake, Adam and CeeLo as coaches along with Christina Aguilera.
Adam won the inaugural season, but Blake then rattled off a three-peat as he won the next three seasons consecutively on his way to stacking nine wins in 23 seasons.
Blake won season 22 last year with country singer Bryce Leatherwood.
Reba McEntire, 68, will serve as a first-time judge on season 24 of The Voice along with returning judges Niall, Gwen and John when it premieres later this year in the fall.
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