After battling it out for weeks, Josh Kaufman emerged Tuesday from a line-up of particularly gifted performers to win this season’s The Voice competition.

Finalists Josh Kaufman of Team Usher, Christina Grimmie of Team Adam Levine, and Jake Worthington of Team Blake Shelton battled it out throughout the season, and it was difficult to decide who truly had “the voice” among the talented singers.

Unfortunately, only one could be crowned the winner — and this season, it was Kaufman.

“This is a show about dreams, about the journey of being an artist, and he represents all of that,” said Usher after the win. “From the time of the blind auditions to being stolen, he’s been on an amazing journey.”

In his pre-The Voice life, Kaufman played local gigs with his band in the Indianapolis area and supported his family as an SAT prep tutor.

At the announcement by host Carson Daly that he had won the competition, Kaufman was a little calmer than one would expect.

“I can’t even talk,” he said after winning the competition. “I’m overwhelmed. I’m surprised. I’m happy. I’m relieved. This has been so much more of an experience than I ever could have imagined.”

Kaufman’s win brings Usher to the coach’s winners circle — only Shelton and Levine have claimed that spot in other seasons. Ironically, Kaufman began his journey on Team Adam until Usher stole him away.

“This is the last big chance for me and for my family. To be able to do this for them and for Usher, it’s huge,” Kaufman said before performing.

.@iamjoshkaufman Congratulations! #TEAMUSHER thank you for your support!! That's a wrap #VoiceFinale #Winning

— Usher Raymond IV (@Usher) May 21, 2014

WINNING!!!!

— Usher Raymond IV (@Usher) May 21, 2014

The other young finalists Worthington and Grimmie, while they didn’t win, walk away with some great prospects for their future.

Worthington, a 17-year-old country singer from La Porte, Texas, who was turned away last season during the blind auditions, said his experience on the show reminded him that it’s ultimately about the music.

“It’s not the recording contract and it’s not the money,” said Worthington. “It’s getting on that stage, grabbing the microphone and doing what we love – and that’s what matters.”

YouTube sensation Grimmie, 20, came in third. However, she still came out a winner after receiving some good news earlier in the show. Levine told her that despite the outcome, “you will have a record deal because I would like to sign you for my label.”

Id like to congratulate @TheRealGrimmie on winning a record deal. Either as the winner of the Voice, or with me on my label!

— Adam Levine (@adamlevine) May 21, 2014

Kaufman will receive a recording contract and head out on a 31-date summer tour with the other two finalists, and fan-favorite Kristen Merlin, along with season 5 winner Tessanne Chin, runner-ups Jacquie Lee and Will Champlin, and season 1 favorite Dia Frampton.

Image via YouTube