The votes are in and Australia has chosen former football player and P.E. teacher Lachie Gill as winner of Seven‘s The Voice 2022.
Alongside The Voice crown, the 24-year-old Victorian won $100,000 prize money and a recording contract with Universal Music Australia.
Rita Ora and Lachie Gill
After host Sonia Kruger revealed the life-changing result, Gill said: “Oh my god! From the start, I just never, ever would have expected this. I’m just blown away. Thank you so much. Wow. Thank you.”
Coach Rita Ora said: “You did all of this. Australia, thank you, thank you, I love you. I feel like this is just the beginning for you. Congratulations. I’m so happy for you I can’t breathe!”
With the news still sinking in, Gill performed his new single Wasted Time (which is available for download and streaming here).
From his first Blind Audition, Gill’s storytelling and signature rasp enthralled Australian audiences, and superstar coaches Keith Urban, Guy Sebastian, and Jessica Mauboy. From the very first chair turn, Rita was adamant she wanted the star-on-the-rise to join her team, blocking fellow coach Guy.
Rita said: “Lachie is in a league of his own; he’s the ultimate storyteller and has the ability to capture the audience and have them go along with him. He sings like it’s the last time, every time.”
Tonight, Gill ignited the stage with a final solo performance of Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time.
Coach Rita Ora said: “My whole body was floating I can’t believe how amazing you are. This is everything The Voice is about; you are the modern star that we need today.”
Rita joined Gill on stage in a “pinch me moment” to perform Always Remember Us This Way by Lady Gaga.
Lachie Gill paid tribute to his coach: “You’ve given me challenging songs, but you’ve always said, ‘Don’t try and be someone else, just do it Lachie’s way.’”
Fellow Grand Finalists Thando Sikwila, Jordan Tavita, and Faith Sosene soared with show-stopping performances across the series.
The Voice in 2022 has an average total audience of 1.38 million viewers nationally and has reached 8.2 million viewers on broadcast, with an additional 1.12 million on 7plus.