It all came down to Ricky Duran, Jake Hoot, Katie Kadan and Rose Short.
For the 17th time, "The Voice" crowned a winner, and for just about the 17th time, many in America were outraged by the results.
And while social media lit up with shock that "The Voice" crowned another predictable winner, it's more a testament to the show's viewers than the show itself.
Blake Shelton Jokes John Legend Was the Wrong Choice for Sexiest Man Alive
View StoryIn fact, those viewers predicted exactly how things would play out as fans were treated to the first finale in years where each coach had one contestant still in the running. Team Blake Shelton was represented by Ricky Duran, with Team Kelly Clarkson repping Jake Hoot, Team John Legend backing Katie Kadan all the way and Team Gwen Stefani presenting Rose Short.
Obviously, musical tastes vary dramatically from person to person, but fans were pretty consistent in heaping praise on the contestants who quickly found themselves out of the running and taking up the bottom two positions on this show. And with that, we've stalled long enough and if you don't want to know who won "The Voice," why are you still reading?
That still-shot in the video gives away the crux of the problem, and that is the fact that neither Katie nor Rose are standing up there in the Top 2 when most people seem to agree that they have the stronger and better voices in the competition.
In fact, Rose Short soared throughout this competition, gaining in confidence, stage presence and grace with each passing week. Meanwhile, Katie was a veritable force of nature, with a powerhouse voice, presence and style like we've never seen before on a show like this. So what happened?!
Obviously, voice isn't what it's all about when it comes to shows like this, but this one is called "The Voice," so people tend to get upset when yet another country artist rises to the top and vocal powerhouses fall just short. In this case, that's exactly what happened as Jake Hoot surpassed Ricky Duran after both men booted the women from the competition.
Gabrielle Union Wants to Talk to Orlando Jones After He Says He Was Fired by Same Production Company
View StoryPerhaps ironically, Jake was a one-chair turn for the show, and that chair wasn't Blake's. Instead, Kelly rode Jake's talent to her third win and the 700th country singer to win "The Voice."
Blake Shelton has always been one of the show's biggest draws, and of all the finalists to perform on that stage, the ones who've performed country music have actually had the most success in finding any sort of mainstream career after the exposure of the show.
As we said, these results are more a statement of the audience than the show itself. Perhaps they're just a reflection of the demographics that are watching the show. Last night's performance episode was watched by just over 9 million people, which isn't all that much in the grand scheme of things.
When numbers dwindle like that -- "Idol" was scoring over 30 million at its peak -- it becomes much easier to skew one way or another depending on which regions of the country are actually tuning in. We saw it in "Idol" when it was proven that the South and Midwest were tuning in far more than the coasts or urban areas. Perhaps that's true of "The Voice" these days, too.
RHOC Recap: Tamra Sobs Into a Bush After Blowout Over Kelly at Vicki's Engagement Party
View StoryOne thing is for sure, though. While there is outrage online that more people aren't voting for the Rose Shorts and Katie Kadans of the world -- which is a travesty -- you have to wonder how many of those outraged voices actually voted themselves or tuned into the show.
If the show is trending in areas dominated by country music fans, but going largely ignored in more diverse communities and regions, then they picked their winner and it makes sense. "The Voice" has been skewing more and more country with every passing season. So without seeing the demographics of viewership, it's hard to say that this is necessarily a travesty of justice, rather than just a foregone conclusion each season.
You wouldn't expect The Killers or Jennifer Hudson to take home a CMA Award, so perhaps we shouldn't be surprised when Rose and Kate come up short on "The Voice." For now, though, the outrage remains as the ardent fans of both Rose and Kate feel robbed for having invested an entire season in supporting their favorites only to have to watch another country singer take home the title.
Feel free to vent right along with them below:
Mediocre white men beating exceptional women again? Oh America, you predictable bitch #TheVoice pic.twitter.com/qaHzCDXaz4
@salliecxo
When the country singer wins again on #TheVoice pic.twitter.com/mdHsseVNin
@elethmixer
The Voice never fails to rob the people with the legitimate voices!! I don't know why I keep watching. They have turned this show into a damn country show! #TheVoice pic.twitter.com/UivwM472J6
@Leesaluv1
Katie and Rose got robbed. #TheVoice pic.twitter.com/uTxc8IiZPs
@mrsbdula
Me watching #TheVoice and seeing that Katie got THIRD MFING PLACE. WTF AMERICA. pic.twitter.com/awStmbR737
@corrygina
You mean to tell me i waited 2 hours to find out Katie came in 3rd?! #TheVoice pic.twitter.com/5FcCZshYNO
@xoxo_madyyy
Not surprised that Katie didn't win. America doesn't like different. They like their carbon copy, unoriginal country singers, as you can tell by the current winner and the majority of past winners. #thevoice
@_KristianBlake_
Jake Hoot winning the voice what a joke America. Y'all are some clowns #VoiceFinale #TheVoice 😬🤡 pic.twitter.com/dtTdEsOT1f
@LittleMzMercy
America hates talented and qualified women. #TheVoice #VoiceFinale
@janeyrafael
Now how the hell #RoseShort come in forth place something ain't right 🤔 #TheVoice #TheVoiceFinale pic.twitter.com/6UbNaQ5kWR
@QueenBOSSGreen
When the top two artists end up getting 3rd and 4th ??? #TheVoice pic.twitter.com/OmCYfNyLQ0
@alexisknake
The two best artists got 3rd and 4th? #TheVoice pic.twitter.com/rDcyeXXvEl
@reaganluvsu40
Katie and Rose were robbed because they don't fit the “mold” for superstars today. Society doesn't like plus size women. I said what I said. #TheVoice pic.twitter.com/58nLmPaxvx
@mrsbdula
Hello, police? Yes, I would like to report a robbery! @NBCTheVoice #TheVoice pic.twitter.com/69VCENaEtZ
@HotDamn_69
Katie and Rose got cheated #TheVoice pic.twitter.com/ISKCOIQp80
@FayeJ09
What just happened?!? #TheVoice
@Tempestoso67
Katie deserved to win hands down! pic.twitter.com/QSIXzj0ljk
You mean to tell me I waited 3 hours to find out that Rose Short and Katie Kadan, the Top 2 came in 4th & 3 rd mf place ????? #TheVoice pic.twitter.com/mP3ogMREdu
@kyylizzles
I will NEVER understand how you call your show #TheVoice and then turn around and eliminate Katie and Rose the two best voices #VoiceFinale pic.twitter.com/tGZoM2B1sr
@bryantownsen
WOOOWWWW I AM SHOOOK!!! America we can't vote anything right can we ? #TheVoice
@kyylizzles
So everyone seems pretty satisfied with #TheVoice results. pic.twitter.com/BmMmPK8HX5
@TheRealMorley
Got a story or a tip for us? Email TooFab editors at tips@toofab.com.