Chevel Shepherd Wins Season 15 of THE VOICE

Chevel Shepherd, a 16-year-old female country artist from Farmington, N.M., was crowned champion of "The Voice" tonight. The popular young singer from Team Kelly earned coach Kelly Clarkson her second consecutive "Voice" win on the four-time Emmy Award-winning musical competition series.

Shepherd faced tough and talented competition from the other Top 4 finalists - Kirk Jay and Chris Kroeze from Team Blake and KENNEDY Holmes from Team Jennifer.

This season of "The Voice" concluded at Universal Studios, Calif., with a star-studded live finale featuring performances by superstar recording artists Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Dierks Bentley, Halsey, Marshmello and Bastille, Panic! At The Disco, and Season 14 winner Brynn Cartelli. Additionally, the finale featured an array of collaborations with the Top 4 artists and chart-topping musicians Dan + Shay, Doobie Brothers, Rascal Flatts and Kelly Rowland.

In her Blind Audition, Shepherd earned a three-chair turn from coaches Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton and Jennifer Hudson with a soulful and pure rendition of the Band Perry's "If I Die Young." Ultimately choosing to be a part of Team Kelly, Shepherd went on to win her Battle Round singing "You Look So Good in Love" by George Strait, as well as her Knockout Round with an authentic interpretation of "Travelin' Soldier" by the Dixie Chicks. Moving into the Live Playoffs, Shepherd showcased her raw talent with a cover of "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days)" by the Judds that earned her a spot in the Top 13. Her distinct voice and defined level of consistency were displayed during the Live Shows with "Little White Church" by Little Big Town and "Space Cowboy" by Kacey Musgraves. Performances of "You're Lookin' at Country," by Loretta Lynn, and "Blue," by LeAnn Rimes, allowed Shepherd to demonstrate her versatility and unique yodeling abilities, which got her voted through all the way to the Top 4.

On Monday's telecast, Shepherd debuted her original single, an emotional pure-country ballad titled "Broken Hearts," which was co-written by three of Nashville's hottest songwriters - Shane McAnally, Ashley Arrison and Aben Eubanks. Clarkson joined Shepherd on stage for a duet of "Rockin' with the Rhythm of the Rain" by the Judds, and Shepherd gave it her all for her final performance of "It's a Little Too Late" by Tanya Tucker.

On tonight's finale, Shepherd performed a special duet with Grammy-nominated country music duo Dan + Shay. Together, they sang the duo's single "Speechless," which is currently the #1 song on Billboard Hot Country and #1 on country radio.

Shepherd reached #1 on the iTunes Overall Songs chart and the Country Songs chart with "Broken Hearts." Additionally, she hit the iTunes Country Top 10 seven times this season and also reached the iTunes Overall Songs Top 10 three times this season, including her duet with Clarkson on "Rockin' With the Rhythm of the Rain."

At just 16 years old, Shepherd has a fresh sound, but an old soul. She loves country music and the outdoors and enjoys spending time doing crafts, feeding animals and fixing up cars with her dad. As for her name, it stems partly from her dad's love of cars (he named her after a Chevy Chevelle), but also because he thought it sounded like a "rock star name," Shepherd says. With dreams to make an old school country record and one day sing at the Grand Ole Opry, she is constantly impressing people with her big sound and powerful voice. Standing at 4'10", the country singer is out to prove that big things come in small packages. Her classic country roots date back to when she started singing at the age of 2, and she's been raised on country music ever since. Although thankful for all of the musical opportunities she had been afforded so far, she is ready for her talents to be heard BEYOND her small town.

As champion of "The Voice," Shepherd has earned the grand prize of a recording contract.

So far this season, "The Voice" has ruled as television's #1 most-watched alternative series, with the Monday edition averaging a 2.2 rating in adults 18-49 and 11.1 million viewers overall in "live plus seven day" averages from Nielsen Media Research. That Monday telecast is undefeated in its timeslot this season versus regular broadcast competition in the key 18-49 demographic.

"The Voice" is a presentation of MGM Television, Talpa Media USA Inc. and Warner Horizon Unscripted & Alternative Television. The series was created by John de Mol, who serves as executive producer along with Mark Burnett, Audrey Morrissey, Amanda Zucker, Kyra Thompson and Stijn Bakkers.

Photo Credit: NBC

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