The Voice 2021: Tearful Bella Taylor-Smith named winner

After wowing the coaches during her Blind Auditions, 23-year-old Bella Taylor-Smith has taken the crown of The Voice 2021.

Taylor-Smith thanked her coach Guy Sebastian for believing in her.

“I’m so thankful, I can’t wait to see what incredible thing are ahead for me,” the singing teacher said after she was announced the winner.

“I’m really grateful for everyone who voted.”

Earlier in the night, Taylor Smith sang The Prayer with her coach which ended with Sebastian offering the 23-year-old a position as his supporting act on his upcoming national tour.

“Bella represents everything that we aim to find on this show. I’ve never been moved by a voice in the way I’ve been moved by Bella she’s kind of like Australia’s Adele,” Sebastian said.

Taylor Smith has not only won the title of The Voice winner for 2021 but she’ll also be taking home $100,000 prize money plus a recording contract with EMI Recorded Music Australia.

The 23-year-old’s original song Higher became available last week following the semi-finals and has been streamed on Spotify more than 37,700 times.

The singing teacher was part of the record-rating premiere of The Voice and closed the first episode with her cover of Beyonce’sAve Maria.

The spine-tingling rendition had all four judges on their feet. She finished the song with tears in her eyes as she appraised the four coaches who all wanted to steal her for their team.

“I will never, probably ever, forget this audition. Honestly, that was a truly amazing performance,” Coach Rita Ora said.

Ultimately, the young singer had connected with Sebastian as they shared a bond over their religion.

Taylor Smith has been very open and transparent about her family’s struggle, including having to raise her little sisters.

During last week’s semi-finals, she opened up to her coach about her father’s time in prison and read a letter he wrote her.

“Every time we catch up, I can see how well you have a handle on life. I’m so proud of you for going on The Voice… I’m prouder than you could ever imagine, together we will always get through things.”

During the Knockout round, the 23-year-old was given Christina Aguilera’s The Voice Within which had the coaches in tears.

Coach Rita was visually moved by Taylor Smith’s rendition.

“That was just so crazy next level, I feel like that’s you, that’s your song, I feel like I was listening to your song,” she said.

Taylor Smith’s first single Higher is available for purchase or stream.