Newark's Kelsea Johnson voted off of 'The Voice' after two-month run

A dazzling double shot of soulful Amy Winehouse and Jazmine Sullivan covers were not enough to keep Newark native Kelsea Johnson from being axed from "The Voice" on Wednesday night.

As millions watched live, the big-voiced Delcastle Technical High School graduate looked on as her coach Alicia Keys picked singer Christiana Danielle over her and two others.

While Danielle buried her face in her hands at the news, Johnson was stoic and gracious in defeat, hugging Danielle after Keys pulled the plug on her TV dreams.

It was a wild week for Johnson in Los Angeles for three straight nights of live television performances and appearances.

On Monday, she totally owned Winehouse's "You Know I'm No Good," complete with a sweetly powerful over-the-shoulder walkaway look as she delivered the song's final words. It wasn't enough for her to make it to the Top 12, so she was back on Tuesday.

That's when she raised the stakes even more with a heartfelt cover of "Need U Bad" by the Philadelphia-born Sullivan. And given the reaction from 15-time Grammy Award-winning Keys, you would have thought she was going to vote to keep Johnson on the show the following night.

"Wow. You are swaggin' so hard on everybody right now. I'm loving it," Keys said, giving Johnson a standing ovation. "You're in your essence. You're in your center. The reason why America needs to know that you're so special is because you are a one of one.

"You see like how a Lauryn Hill has this tone about her that's her own space. I believe that's who you are. It's not able to be compared to anyone else. And that's why I felt very attracted to us staying together because you are a unique voice — you're carving out you're own space. So America, see Kelsea and vote her through!"

After Keys chose Danielle over Johnson on Wednesday night, Keys did not give a reason for her decision before hugging Johnson and the other contestants that got the boot.

Even though Johnson won't be the next winner of "The Voice," the 22-year-old won't be putting down her microphone for long.

The experience on the NBC program has inspired the Los Angeles-based singer to pursue a singing career, putting her two degrees from New York's Stony Brook University to the side for the time being.

It has been an emotional journey for Johnson, whose grandfather Jose Rodriguez, 72, died of complications from liver cancer during the audition process last year. Before he passed, Rodriguez insisted that his granddaughter follow her dream despite his illness.

Before "The Voice," Johnson's biggest performance was singing The National Anthem at the annual Duffy's Hope charity basketball game at Newark's Bob Carpenter Center. She began singing at the age of 8 at weddings, funerals and other events. And since her father Willard Johnson is assistant coach of Mt. Pleasant High School's basketball team, she also sang there before games.

Johnson, who was not immediately available for an interview, opened up about her loss on Instagram and teased that a debut EP of original music is coming soon.

"Thank you to everyone for the words of encouragement. I love y’all! I just need y’all to know this was my FIRST step in pursuing a music career...less than a year after graduating...and already I was on national television!!" she wrote. "I’m so proud of my accomplishments and NOTHING can’t take that from me. I have gained so much more than I have lost being on @nbcthevoice.

"This could never be the end of my journey. I want y’all to know that I believe everything happens for a reason. It wasn’t a fluke or a mistake. My journey is supposed to unfold this way and I will embrace everything it comes with! Next stop original music!!!"

Contact Ryan Cormier of The News Journal at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier), Twitter (@ryancormier) and Instagram (@ryancormier).

DELAWARE ENTERTAINMENT

Tax Free Comedy Festival brings 24 East Coast comedy acts to Wilmington for two weekends

Beyoncé's Coachella extravaganza featured former Middletown High student, 20

What else does Wilmington need to be more fun? We have (more) suggestions.