"The Voice" crowns a winner

Cassadee Pope, Blake Shelton pose after winning "The Voice," Dec. 18, 2012. / AP/NBC

Cassadee Pope, who was country singer Blake Shelton's protege on the third season of NBC's "The Voice," has won the show's competition.

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"The Voice" season three finale

The 23-year-old singer is stepping out into a solo career after performing with a band called Hey Monday. Her victory over Scottish native Terry McDermott and long-bearded Nicholas David was announced at the end of a two-hour show Tuesday.

Pope thanked the fans who had rooted for her throughout the competition. When asked how it felt to win, Pope said, "I don't know," adding, "I'm feeling amazing, thank you for everyone who voted for me and all the fans and Blake, the producers, wardrobe, Carson, the band, and Christina, everybody."

She also had the chance to perform with one of her music idols, Avril Lavigne, on Tuesday night.

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"The Voice" has grown into a hit for NBC and was the key factor in the network's surprising success this fall.

The show's status was affirmed by the stream of hitmakers who performed on the finale. They included Rihanna, Bruno Mars, The Killers, Smokey Robinson and Peter Frampton.

The fourth season of "The Voice" premieres March 25. Shakira and Usher will take over for coaches Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green.

[gnasher156]

The actual outcome of this finale wasn't a surprise at all, but I was still glad to watch this episode because the guest performances were so awesome! I loved seeing all the old faces from this season come back again. I actually wasn't home last night to see it live because I had plans with a couple of my DISH co-workers. I had my DISH Hopper all set up to record it for me though so I was able to catch up on it today. I didn't even have to worry about setting a DVR timer for it because I have the PrimeTime Anytime feature turned on. Everything on all four major networks during primetime gets recorded for me automatically every night.

[powerlocks]

My beef is that they have open auditions with no intention of taking anyone from them. Not saying that the people arent good enough to make the show. They do it for publicity. Then they say they have blind auditions so its fair and you have a real shot of making the show. What they dont tell you is that the blind auditions arent blind!!! Their established. Thats the beef i have. Dont have open auditions and make it sound like you want someone fresh and new when their really looking for established!!!!!!

Popes roommate is dating James Valentine who is in Maroon 5 with Adam Levine!!!!!!! Come on people defend the show criticize me.

[rider1956]

It's just a typical commercial pit. Too much blarney going on from the judges. They are so fake as they play they parts. The only fun are the renditions of classic songs and the 'blind auditions' - to see who get accepted. I only watched the blind auditions and the final two performance shows and ignored the results shows. The rest is blahhhhhhhhhhh. Had to come here to find out who won.

[Mahrea]

The group's song in tribute to the slain students and teachers in Connecticut was so very appropriate and extremely moving. That is such a beautiful song and the solo artists did a beautiful job. I have replayed it already several times and went onto the internet to get the words.

Congratulations to the winner. I couldn't decide who to vote for and would have been happy to see any of the last three finalists win. They are all so extremely talented and got better and better as the competition continued. I am looking forward to the new season in March.

I don't normally watch these types of shows but I love the foremat and how the artists are chosen. This show seems to be more about the competitors and no so much about the judges and their egos.

I only wish I could sing...LOL!

Also, hats off to Blake Shelton for two years of successfully choosing the winner.

A Texas fan

[Sugarluvit]

The Voice sucks overratted!