Bryce Leatherwood takes home the title of 'The Voice' season 22

Bryce Leatherwood, the 22-year-old resident of Statesboro, Georgia, was named The Voice season 22 champion on Tuesday night. With Leatherwood's victory, coach Blake Shelton now has a record-tying nine victories. Additionally, Shelton will leave the popular NBC singing competition series after the next season for the first time in 11 years. The coach-contestant duo spoke with PEOPLE after the competition about their thrilling victory, which Leatherwood claimed he never anticipated. "It's just so humbling to know that people love Bryce Leatherwood," he added. "People love what I stand for. People love my music and how I sang. It took me by surprise that America chose me. I just think my goal in life is to make people happy, and America made me happy today. I'm very excited to be The Voice champion of season 22." Omar Jose Cardona of team John Legend, Morgan Myles of team Camila Cabello, and Brayden Lape and Bodie of team Shelton were all defeated by Leatherwood. Furthermore, Shelton, 46, sang his hit song "Hillbilly Bone" earlier in the evening with Leatherwood, whom he compared to a younger version of himself. [caption id="attachment_72031" align="aligncenter" width="750"] PHOTO: TRAE PATTON/NBC[/caption] Moreover, since Leatherwood, who won the Voice title and received a record deal with Universal Music Group and a $100,000 grand prize, is just beginning his own path, Shelton claimed he told him, "Man, listen. There's going to be a lot of stuff getting thrown at you." On another note, Leatherwood stated that he has already begun to "save a lot" with the money from his grand prize. He said, "You never know what life can throw at you. I think I might spend a lot of money on my family for Christmas because they deserve it so much."

Additional details

After a busy Voice season, Blake Shelton expressed excitement for this year's Christmas with his wife, fellow Voice coach Gwen Stefani, and family in Oklahoma. And although Shelton claimed he doesn't really "know how" New Year's resolutions "work," one of his top wishes for 2023 is to hear Leatherwood on the radio. Additionally, in 2023, Bryce Leatherwood hopes to "impact more people's lives with my music and with my personality." For those unaware, Leatherwood started the Live Rounds as the instant save artist voted on by America to advance to the Top 13. He is also the first-ever instant save artist to win The Voice. Lastly, The Voice season 21 winners Girl Named Tom, Kane Brown, Kelly Clarkson, Maluma OneRepublic, Adam Lambert, and BRELAND all performed during the finale. The live season 22 finale of The Voice aired on NBC on Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST.