The Voice winner was declared Tuesday night and now the life of Josh Kaufman is forever changed. He won a recording contract, money, and gained the experience of a lifetime.

“This is the last big chance for me and for my family. To be able to do this for them and for Usher, it’s huge.” Kaufman said early in the show.

After dealing out one great song after another, the Team Usher star earned serious respect with his earlier rendition of “Set Fire to the Rain”. He won out in a close race between Christina Grimmie of Team Adam Levine, and Jake Worthington of Team Blake Shelton, which was the first victory for another coach besides Shelton or Levine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBqHUTfTiJA

“I can’t even talk,” he said after the big win. “I’m overwhelmed. I’m surprised. I’m happy. I’m relieved. This has been so much more of an experience than I ever could have imagined.”

Despite his humble beginnings playing local gigs with his band in the Indianapolis area and supporting his family as an SAT prep tutor, he showed early on that he had what it takes to be a star on the show.

“This is a show about dreams, about the journey of being an artist, and he represents all of that.”, Usher said during the show. “From the time of the blind auditions to being stolen, he’s been on an amazing journey.”

An amazing journey, indeed.

Josh will continue that journey as he hits the road on tour this summer along with the other two finalists. Joining them will be fan favorite Kristen Merlin, as well as some familiar faces from season five like winner Tessanne Chin, runner-up Jacquie Lee and Will Champlin. Still popular season one favorite Dia Frampton will also be along for the ride!

Congratulations to Josh! Was he your pick or do you think another contestant was better?

Image Via YouTube