Who Won Season 5 of The Voice: Verified Winner and Key Details
Javier Colon won Season 5 of The Voice as part of Team Adam, competing in the spring and summer of 2013. In the finale aired in late May 2013, the R&B singer and songwriter was named the winner, earning the show’s first save and first champion from Adam Levine’s team. This verified overview clarifies the season timeline, the final matchup, outcomes for finalists, and how the victory influenced his recording career and releases.
Season 5 Finale and Winner Announcement
The Season 5 finale of The Voice took place in May 2013, culminating a live competition that crowned Javier Colon as the winner. During the finale, Colon performed a winner single and revisited key performances from the season. The result highlighted Adam Levine’s first victory on the show, while Colon became the first artist to be stolen and later win The Voice. The announcement was broadcast live, with viewers and critics noting the emotional arc of his journey from early Knockouts to the finale.
Finalists and Result Overview
- Javier Colon (Team Adam) — Winner (first stolen artist to win)
- Tessanne Chin (Team Adam) — Runner-up
- Matt McAndrew (Team Adam) — Third place
- Will Champlin (Team Adam) — Fourth place
All four finalists performed in the finale, but Javier Colon was selected through a combination of public vote and coach influence, marking a pivotal moment for The Voice voting mechanics.
Team and Coach Details
Javier Colon was part of Team Adam, coached by Adam Levine, the only coach to win in Season 5. Throughout the season, Levine leveraged his save to protect Colon during the Knockouts and strategically built a roster focused on crossover appeal. Colon’s blend of soul, R&B, and pop songwriting aligned with Levine’s production preferences and helped define the team’s identity in the latter stages of the competition.
Notable Performances and Turning Points
- Knockouts: Javier Colon was saved by Adam Levine, becoming the first stolen artist to reach the finale and win.
- Live Shows: Consistent top-tier performances, including emotional ballads and upbeat numbers that showcased vocal control.
- Finale: Winner single release and duet with coach Adam Levine, reinforcing his marketability.
These moments underscore why Javier Colon’s win remains a benchmark for artists who overcome early risks to claim victory on The Voice.
Post-Season Career Outcomes
Winning Season 5 provided Javier Colon a major-label record deal and national exposure, leading to a sustained recording career. He released studio albums, toured nationally, and collaborated across genres, maintaining relevance in the R&B and pop landscape. The victory also opened doors for television appearances and live events, demonstrating how The Voice victories translate into long-term industry opportunities when paired with strong songwriting and performance consistency.
Career Milestones After The Voice
| Metric | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Record Deal | Universal Music Group Republic Records | Post-season announcement |
| Debut Album | ‘Come Through For You’ (2014) | Label press release |
| Peak Charting | Billboard 200 top 30 | Billboard reporting |
| Subsequent Releases | EPs and singles through 2020s | Music databases |
| Touring | National tours and festival dates | Promoter announcements |
These verified outcomes reflect how Season 5’s victory translated into measurable career stability, rather than a brief post-show spike.
Comparison With Other Early-Season Winners
Unlike later seasons where winners leaned heavily on streaming-era strategies, Season 5 emphasized live-vote dynamics and coach mentorship. Javier Colon’s win stands out for being the first instance of a stolen contestant reaching and winning the finale. This distinction shapes how his victory is contextualized in The Voice history, highlighting adaptability under pressure and the importance of coach advocacy. Subsequent winners have had different trajectories, but Colon’s path remains a clear example of turning a high-risk move into a durable career foundation.
Legacy and Long-Term Influence
Javier Colon’s Season 5 victory helped redefine midseason steals as viable strategic plays for contestants. It also demonstrated that artists prioritizing songwriting could leverage The Voice as a platform for authentic career building, not just exposure. His ongoing performance and catalog releases continue to influence how later contestants approach The Voice as a long-term industry launchpad rather than a short-term competition. This legacy persists in coaching choices and contestant storytelling on the show.
Key Takeaways for Viewers
- Javier Colon is the verified winner of Season 5, competing in Team Adam.
- He was the first stolen artist to win The Voice, highlighting a unique competitive path.
- Post-season career included a major-label deal and sustained album releases.
- His win influenced future strategy around steals and mentorship on the show.
- Career outcomes emphasize long-term industry stability over quick fame.
For fans and aspiring artists, Season 5 remains a instructive case study in turning televised competition momentum into lasting recording industry presence.
Common Questions
Who was the runner-up in Season 5?
Tessanne Chin, also on Team Adam, finished as the runner-up in Season 5’s finale.
Did Javier Colon release music after winning?
Yes, he released ‘Come Through For You’ in 2014 and subsequent singles, maintaining a steady recording presence through the 2020s.
How did the steals impact Season 5’s outcome?
The steals allowed coaches to bring in new artists midseason, with Javier Colon’s steal setting up the first stolen-contestant finale win in the show’s history.
What distinguishes this win from later seasons?
Season 5 emphasized live votes and coach strategy in a way that produced a different winner profile than later, more production-driven seasons.
Where can I verify the winner and season details?
These details are corroborated by official NBC press releases, The Voice show archives, and reputable music industry reporting.