At “The Voice’s” season 22 finale, one contestant left the audience, and the judges moved. Fan favorite Bodie Kuljian, known simply as Bodie, took to the stage and sang Christian artist Brandon Lake’s song “Gratitude,” dedicating the song to his three children. During the performance, Bodie involved a singing choir and raised his hands in worship. After the performance, the judges praised Bodie’s performance. Judge Gwen Stefani spoke to Bodie afterward, saying, “I’m choking on my tears over here. You have a superpower behind you; it’s a truth. I think it comes from your pure faith that you have…I can’t even speak right now. That was so beautiful.” Judge John Legend echoed Stefani’s praise, while Bodie’s coach, Blake Shelton, described the performance as “one of the most moving performances I’ve seen in a long time on this show.”

Brandon Lake praised Bodie’s rendition of his song, posting a video of Bodie’s performance on his Instagram. “Last night watching @bodie bring it on @nbcthevoice,” he wrote. “Good luck to all the contestants, but you know I’m cheering for my boy @bodie!! Tune in tonight to see the results.” Lake’s fans echoed his praise, with one fan writing, “May God fill the hearts of the people that heard this song on such a huge platform.” Bodie responded to Lake’s praise, saying, “Brooooo, you’re such an incredible inspiration to me and so many others. Such an incredible honor to sing this song on TV. Love u, brother.” 

Bodie and his wife, Royale, run a photography business in California called Together Creative, which focuses specifically on newlyweds. Bodie has also talked about his work as a worship leader, and his church has hosted watch parties of his performances. Bodie has also spoken about the role music has had in his life since his diagnosis with alopecia. The singer was diagnosed with the condition, which causes the body’s immune system to turn against the hair follicles of the body and causes baldness when he was 15. He became very ill from the condition, a rare side effect, and fell behind in school. He used music as an outlet for his struggle and began performing for Christian audiences. When he started to lose his hair again, he embraced the change and shaved his head, writing a song called “Bald is Beautiful (Push Forth).”

Bodie ended up coming in second place after part 2 of the season finale. Shelton’s other team member, Bryce Leatherwood, came in first. Many of Bodie’s fans were disappointed by the loss, but Bodie, who has already released two EPs, plans to continue his music career. “I wanted to get to this point. So as far as I’m concerned, I’ve already won,” Bodie had previously said about making it to the finals. “I’m so excited to release the music I’ve already written that hasn’t been released yet, hit the road, do shows, do all that. I’m really, really excited.”