Australia has voted former back-up singer and mum-of-two Tarryn Stokes as winner of The Voice 2023.
The 40-year-old powerhouse performer from Melbourne was shocked after host Sonia Kruger announced the life-changing result.
Tarryn said: “It feels amazing, going from The Blinds to being in the Grand Finale and somehow believing that I can do this, it’s just thanks to Rita for believing in me.”
Thrilled, coach Rita Ora replied: “Are you kidding me? You did this. You did this!”
Rita continued: “It’s just incredible, you’re incredible, please answer my phone calls once in a while and just remember this is just the start. I’m so happy for you, well done Australia; thank you so much.”
Alongside The Voice crown, Tarryn won $100,000 prize money and a recording contract with Universal Music Australia.
After the announcement, Tarryn performed her new single Nobody (download/ stream here) as her proud family – husband Paul and kids Archie, 4, and Quinn, 2 – watched on.
Emotional after a surprise visit from her family during mentoring, Tarryn said: “My kids are everything to me, being away from them for so long has been the hardest thing.”
Sharing her struggles with self-doubt and fear that it was too late to step into the spotlight after taking a break to have children, Tarryn reflected: “Maybe I’m starting to see what people have always seen.”
Rita beamed: “It is a dream seeing you flourish after everything you have sacrificed.”
From her first Blind Audition, Tarryn’s vocal prowess enthralled Australian audiences, and superstar coaches Jason Derulo, Guy Sebastian and Jessica Mauboy, as Rita flexed from her very first chair turn that she secured “one of the best singers in the competition.”
Tarryn’s win secures back-to-back titles for her coach Rita.
Tonight, Tarryn’s mind-blowing final solo performance of Celine Dion’s All By Myself left all four coaches awe-struck as Guy declared her voice “just perfection.”
Rita said: “That is hands down one of the best vocals ever to happen on this show ever, ever, ever!”
In “a moment in history” for Tarryn, Rita joined her on stage for a powerful duet of Tina Turner’s Simply The Best.
Fellow Grand Finalists Charlie Pittman, Ezra Williams and Ethan Beckton soared with show-stopping performances across the series.
