‘The Voice’ May Launch Careers, But Few Winners Are Chart-Toppers

Winning NBC’s ‘The Voice’ doesn’t always mean a long and successful career in the music industry. Here’s why so few winners achieve chart success.

For over a decade, NBC’s The Voice has captivated audiences with powerhouse vocal performances, celebrity coaches, and dramatic eliminations. Yet, despite its massive television success, the show has struggled to produce chart-topping artists. Unlike American Idol, The Voice has had few winners or contestants break into mainstream music.

Does winning ‘The Voice’ guarantee success?

Winning The Voice may seem like a golden ticket to stardom, but history suggests otherwise. While the show provides contestants with national exposure, industry connections, and a recording contract, very few winners have achieved long-term commercial success.

Unlike American Idol, which has produced global superstars like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, The Voice has struggled to launch chart-topping artists. Even recent winners often struggle to maintain a lasting presence in the music industry.

It appears one of the biggest challenges for The Voice winners is the lack of post-show support. While they receive a recording contract, it often lacks the promotional push needed to build a successful career.

The music industry is highly competitive, and without strong songwriting, branding, and sustained marketing efforts, even the most talented vocalists can struggle to break through. Additionally, The Voice‘s rapid production cycle—airing two seasons per year—means the next round of contestants quickly overshadows each winner.

As a result, while The Voice provides a valuable platform for exposure, winning the competition is far from a guarantee of future success. In many cases, the real challenge begins the moment the cameras stop rolling.

Few ‘Voice’ contestants have found fame

Though rare, some The Voice alumni have managed to carve out successful careers. Cassadee Pope, who won season 3, found success in country music. Her debut album Frame by Frame reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

Similarly, season 4 winner Danielle Bradbery has maintained a presence in the country music scene. RaeLynn who was eliminated just before season 2’s finale, had success with her debut album, WildHorse, which topped the Billboard Country Albums chart.

Past winners such as Javier Colon (season 1) and Craig Wayne Boyd (season 7) had promising starts but struggled to maintain momentum in the music industry. Season 8 alum Sawyer Fredericks scored a win when his debut album A Good Storm reached No. 2 on the Billboard Folk Albums chart.

Jordan Smith became one of the show’s most commercially successful winners, known for his powerhouse vocals. His debut album, Something Beautiful, reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200. He later wrote music for other artists, including “Ashes,” performed by Céline Dion.

However, the most commercially successful artist to come from The Voice didn’t even win. Morgan Wallen, who was eliminated early in season 6, went on to become one of country music’s biggest stars.

Wallen’s albums have dominated the charts, proving that success on The Voice is not necessarily a predictor of future stardom. The controversial music superstar recently appeared on Saturday Night Live, where he walked off the stage before the cameras stopped rolling on the show’s credits.

Can ‘The Voice’ change its track record?

Carson Daly, Kelsea Ballerini, John Legend, Michael Buble, and Adam Levine during The Battles on ‘The Voice’ | Trae Patton/NBC

The Voice has been a fan-favorite singing competition for 14 years and 27 seasons. However, its track record for launching music superstars is noticeably weak.

While the show delivers incredible vocal performances and emotional backstories, it often fails to set up its winners for long-term success. The fast-paced nature of the competition means contestants spend more time covering famous songs than developing their sound or artistry.

But could The Voice change that? Absolutely—if it shifts its focus beyond just the competition.

For starters, the show could help singers create original music and establish a signature style before leaving the show. Additionally, rather than cycling through two seasons a year, a more focused, single-season format could give contestants more time to shine.

Other reality shows, like American Idol and The X Factor, have successfully launched stars by emphasizing artist branding as much as vocal talent. If The Voice adapts its formula and invests more in its winners beyond the finale, it just might start producing the chart-topping artists fans have been waiting for.

Despite its shortcomings, The Voice remains a beloved television show that provides talented singers with national exposure. Whether that exposure translates into lasting fame, however, remains an open question. For now, it seems that while The Voice may open doors, it doesn’t guarantee a place at the top of the charts.

The Voice coaches for season 27 include Kelsea Ballerini, John Legend, Michael Bublé, and Adam Levine. The series, which is hosted by Carson Daly, airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.