Billy Gilman 'The Voice': 5 Best Performances From Season 11 Runner-Up, From 'Crying' To 'My Way' [VIDEO]
Billy Gilman was the runner-up on the most recent season of NBC's The Voice, but he excelled throughout the season with top-notch vocals and proved he wasn't just a child star.
Billy, who had great success with his song "One Voice" as a child in the early 2000s, returned to prominence this fall with a run on The Voice. Throughout season 11, the now 28-year-old performed a great number of pop hits from some of the greatest vocalists in the world and amassed a huge fanbase that carried him all the way to the finale.
Let's take a look back on five of Billy's best performances on The Voice stage:
"When We Were Young" - Blind Audition
Billy made his grand return to the spotlight by singing Adele's emotional ballad "When We Were Young" for his Blind Audition. The singer expertly matched Adele's beautiful melody and embellished in some parts. Coaches Adam Levine, Miley Cyrus, Alicia Keys and Blake Shelton all turned their chairs, indicating that they wanted the young singer. He would ultimately go with Levine.
"Crying" - Playoffs
Billy's live debut on The Voice came in the form of Roy Orbison's classic song "Crying". And he no doubt had many viewers crying with his emotive vocals that ended in such a grand finale that it felt like a Broadway showstopper.
"Anyway" - Top 10
Billy went back to his classic country roots during Top 11 Week, singing Martina McBride's inspirational hit "Anyway". The performance was his most dynamic to date, with measured moments alongside the powerful belting he's known for, and ending with an astonishing 15-second note to close it all out. It's no wonder this was his first song to chart in the iTunes top 10.
"I Surrender" - Semifinals
Billy took on his most ambitious cover yet in Semifinals Week, with a bombastic performance of "I Surrender" by Celine Dion. Like past performances, this one was packed with pure theatrical drama and huge vocal range. By the time the background vocalists kick in and the song reached its climax, it was clear that this guy was heading straight to the finals.
"My Way" - Finale
It was all leading to this. Billy exuded pure superstar control in his performance of Frank Sinatra's classic "My Way". The song also allowed Billy to show raw vulnerability for the first time as he completely connected with the lyrics. And while Billy did not end up winning The Voice, as cliche as it may sound, he still did it his way.
