Carter Rubin, a Shoreham teen who stole the hearts of celebrity judges and viewers across the nation, was named the winner of NBC’s The Voice last night.
The 15-year-old, a sophomore at Shoreham-Wading River High School, soared to the finish line on pop star Gwen Stefani’s team, beating out fellow contestant Jim Ranger, who came in second on Stefani’s fiance, country singer Blake Shelton’s, team.
After the live finale last night, Carter Tweeted a photo of himself on stage just after host Carson Daly announced his win, and wrote: “words will come later. but all i can say is thank you.”
A message on the SWR Central School District Facebook page last night called Carter “a SWR superstar” and said, “You’ve brought pride and joy to your hometown! Thank you Carter! #SWRPROUD.”
Before Carter’s big win, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone also posted on Facebook, wishing him good luck and saying that his performances “wowed us all, showing incredible talent and poise throughout this difficult competition.”
The night before, Carter sang “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus and “Up From Here,” and an original song by a songwriter that came on the show. On the night of the finale results show, he and Stefani sang a duet of “You Make Me Feel Like Christmas.”
After getting two of the judge’s chairs to turn in his blind audition, which was pre-recorded and aired in October, Carter chose Team Gwen over Team John Legend.
He went head-to-head with more than 30 other singers in the Battle Rounds and the Knockout Rounds, making it to the live shows. He then made it to the top 17, top 9, and finally the top 5. All five remaining contestants found out where they placed last night after viewers cast their votes the night before.
This is Team Gwen’s first win after joining the show as a judge five seasons ago. The winner of The Voice typically receives a monetary prize and a recording contract.
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