As the confetti is being swept away after Tuesday’s Season 22 finale The voice (recaped here), newly named NBC winner Bryce Leatherwood talks to TVLine about the competition, coach Blake Shelton and the country music controversy swirling around the results. Once the high fives and congratulations are out of the way, it’s clear that question #1 for the show’s first Instant Save contestant to emerge victorious should be…
TVLINE 🇧🇷 So you’re there with Bodie and Morgan Myles – what’s going through your head? Did you think, “Yes, I have this” or…?
You know, I was never sure of my potential to win. I’ve always tried to stay humble and say, “Hey, work for it.” Even up there with only two people left – and what amazing performers Bodie and Morgan are – I had no idea.
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TVLINE 🇧🇷 Given how the audience was always screaming, “Bodie! body! body!” did you consider him your biggest competitor?
I don’t see it that way. We’re all just artists trying to do our best. The only competition you have is within yourself. I think Tiger Woods said that once. You cannot focus on other competitors, because the only real competitor is yourself. The only thing I could do before that and at that point was rely on the hard work I had put in. Anyway [the vote went]I was proud of myself and I think everyone was proud of themselves for everything they accomplished on the show.
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🇧🇷 In the Playoffs, Blake kept Rowan Grace and sent you Wildcard Instant Save. At that point, you were like, “What the hell, man?”
i had a feeling [he was going to do that], because bodie got the vote and Brayden got the vote. So I thought, “If Blake is playing here, he’s going to save Rowan, because he knows the country fans are going to want to save me and keep this team as strong as possible.” AND [even singing for the Save], I was proud to put a smile on my face and say, “Okay, let’s go!” I’ve always had this mindset about everything when it comes to the show. Sometimes you see negative feedback and people saying things online. Either you have to switch off and not even look at it, or if you do look at it, you better turn it into something positive. So I always had this idea of, “Okay, watch it. this🇧🇷 That was the mentality of [the Instant Save]and it was worth it.
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🇧🇷 You mentioned Blake thinking the country fan base would save you. A lot of people have been saying that country artists in The voice have an unfair advantage because that base is so large. What do you think?
I wouldn’t say it’s unfair, I’d just say it’s impactful. And I’m not saying other genres aren’t. I just think if you look at who watches the show and who the real roots of their fanbase are, a lot of it is country — people who are retired, sitting on their couches, watching every Monday and Tuesday night because they love it. The voice🇧🇷 And a lot of those people are country fans… I’m blessed to know who I am and people seem to love who I am. I think that’s what got me the show, because let’s be honest, if we’re going out with pure vocal talent, I don’t look at Morgan and I don’t look at the body. At the country Lane, I think I was one of the best country singers on the show this year. But it’s not just about the voice, it’s about who you are as an artist, who you are as a person and who America wants to fall in love with.
TVLINE 🇧🇷 Have you already chosen your first single?
I have some ideas, you know. My goal is just to get into Nashville, get to wherever this record deal takes me, and start chasing them: “Hey, let’s get some music out there… and give the people what they want!”
TVLINE 🇧🇷 Given how ubiquitous his hats were – and are – how many hat companies approached him to make their own range?
You know, now that you say it, it’s not enough! [Laughs] I’m just kidding. I love trying on many different types of hats. They are like my armor. So I hope to one day partner with a company and create some hats.
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