The 2014 winner of the reality television singing competition The Voice (specifically Season 6 of the American edition) was Josh Kaufman, who competed on Team Usher. His victory marked a historic milestone for the franchise as the first time a contestant who had been stolen by another coach during the battle rounds went on to win the entire competition.
Understanding the Landscape of The Voice in 2014
By 2014, NBC’s reality singing competition The Voice had firmly established itself as a cornerstone of prime-time television. Operating on a format that emphasized raw vocal capability during blind auditions before shifting to viewer-voted live performances, the show had already minted several successful recording artists. Season 6, which aired from February 24 to May 20, 2014, featured a coaching panel consisting of Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Shakira, and Usher.
This specific season arrived at a time when the series was actively refining its competitive dynamics. The introduction of the "steal" mechanic in earlier seasons had fundamentally altered tactical gameplay, allowing coaches to rescue talented artists who were eliminated by their original coaches during the battle rounds. This mechanism injected a high-stakes strategic element into the show, proving that an early setback on one team did not necessarily spell the end of a contestant's journey to the finale.
The Journey of Josh Kaufman: From Blind Auditions to the Finale
Josh Kaufman’s path to the 2014 title was neither linear nor traditional, making his ultimate victory a compelling study in resilience and musical versatility. Hailing from Indianapolis, Indiana, Kaufman was older than the typical demographic of reality singing show contestants and was working as a wedding band singer and SAT tutor. His background provided him with a seasoned stage presence and a deep understanding of vocal phrasing that immediately set him apart from his younger peers.
The Blind Auditions and the Initial Setback
During the blind auditions, Kaufman performed a soulful rendition of George Michael’s "One More Try." His performance prompted Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, and Usher to turn their chairs. Kaufman ultimately chose to join Team Adam. However, the trajectory of his journey shifted dramatically during the battle rounds. Pitted against teammate T.J. Wilkins on the song "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours," Levine chose to advance Wilkins, leaving Kaufman potentially eliminated from the competition.
The Historic Steal and the Shift to Team Usher
Immediately following Levine’s decision, both Shakira and Usher pressed their buttons to "steal" Kaufman for their respective teams. Kaufman chose to join Team Usher, a decision that would ultimately redefine his competitive run. Under Usher’s mentorship, Kaufman was encouraged to lean heavily into his natural affinity for soul, rhythm and blues, and classic rock. Usher recognized that Kaufman’s voice possessed a rich, emotive texture that resonated deeply when paired with arrangements that allowed him to build dynamic intensity.
Key Performances That Secured the Title
As the competition progressed into the live playoffs and semi-finals, Kaufman delivered several standout performances that consistently topped digital music charts and captured voter attention. Notable among these were his renditions of:
- "Stay with Me" by Sam Smith, which showcased his ability to handle contemporary soul with emotional precision.
- "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" by James Brown, a tour de force that highlighted his upper-register control and vocal power.
- "One More Try" (revisited) and his original song interpretations, which cemented his identity as a mature, polished artist.
The Grand Finale and Voting Dynamics
The Season 6 finale of The Voice in May 2014 featured a final three: Josh Kaufman representing Team Usher, Jake Worthington representing Team Blake, and Christina Grimmie representing Team Adam. The contrast among the three finalists highlighted the show's diverse appeal, pitting country music traditionalist Worthington and pop-phenom powerhouse Grimmie against Kaufman’s soulful adult-contemporary style.
When Carson Daly announced the results on May 20, 2014, Josh Kaufman was named the winner, with Jake Worthington taking runner-up spot and Christina Grimmie finishing in third place. This victory was notable for several reasons:
- First Steal Winner: Kaufman became the first artist in the history of the American series to win the competition after being stolen by a different coach during the battle rounds.
- Team Usher's First Win: The victory marked the first time coach Usher won the competition, validating his tactical coaching style and song selection strategy.
- Demographic Shift: Kaufman’s win demonstrated that viewers were willing to support mature, family-oriented artists over younger, pop-centric performers who often dominated similar platforms.
| Season Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Season Number | Season 6 (Spring 2014) |
| Winning Contestant | Josh Kaufman |
| Winning Coach | Usher |
| Runner-Up | Jake Worthington (Team Blake) |
| Third Place | Christina Grimmie (Team Adam) |
| Key Distinctions | First "stolen" artist to win the entire competition |
Post-Show Career and Musical Evolution
Winning a major television singing competition is rarely the final destination for an artist; rather, it serves as a launchpad into the broader music industry. Following his victory in May 2014, Kaufman capitalized on his momentum by releasing post-show singles and participating in The Voice summer tour.
Beyond commercial releases, Kaufman sought to expand his artistic footprint by transitioning to musical theater. In late 2014, he made his Broadway debut in the hit musical Pippin, stepping into the role of the Leading Player. This move allowed him to leverage his theatrical stage presence and vocal strength in a live theatrical environment, proving his versatility beyond televised singing competitions. He has continued to perform independently, focusing on soulful arrangements, local and regional touring, and collaborative musical projects.
Common Misconceptions Regarding the 2014 Season
Because reality television editing and complex format changes can sometimes confuse casual viewers, several misconceptions persist regarding the 2014 cycle of The Voice:
- Misconception 1: That Kaufman was favored from Day One. Correction: Kaufman faced elimination during the battle rounds and was entirely dependent on a coach using a steal to stay in the competition.
- Misconception 2: That Usher was his original coach. Correction: While Usher guided him to victory, Adam Levine was Kaufman's original coach before dropping him in the battles.
- Misconception 3: That Season 6 was the only edition airing in 2014. Correction: The Voice traditionally airs two cycles per year; Season 6 aired in the spring of 2014, while Season 7 aired in the fall of 2014 featuring a different coaching lineup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2014 season of The Voice?
Josh Kaufman won Season 6 of the American edition of The Voice in May 2014. He competed as a member of Team Usher, having originally started on Team Adam before being stolen during the battle rounds.
Which coaches were on The Voice in 2014 for Season 6?
The coaching panel for Season 6 in 2014 consisted of Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Shakira, and Usher. This lineup brought a mix of original coaches and returning favorites to the panel.
What made Josh Kaufman’s win historic on The Voice?
Josh Kaufman’s victory was historic because he was the first contestant in the history of the show to win the entire competition after being eliminated by his original coach and subsequently "stolen" by another coach during the battle rounds.
What happened to Josh Kaufman after winning The Voice?
Following his victory in 2014, Kaufman released music, toured with fellow contestants, and expanded his professional career into musical theater, most notably making his Broadway debut in the revival of Pippin later that year.
How does the "steal" mechanism work on The Voice?
During the battle rounds, each coach is given a limited number of "steals" to rescue an artist who has been eliminated by another coach. If multiple coaches attempt to steal the same artist, the artist has the power to choose which new team they wish to join.
Practical Next Actions and Further Exploration
For researchers, music historians, or fans revisiting the 2014 television landscape, examining Season 6 offers clear insights into how reality singing competition formats evolved during the peak of the multi-coach television era. To explore further, examine official episode archives on streaming platforms, review digital charting data for Spring 2014 music releases, or study the theatrical production history of Pippin during Kaufman's Broadway run.
