Marranunggu rapper Yung Milla has been crowned the winner of The Voice Australia 2026, taking his music and story from Darwin to millions of homes across the country.
The 22-year-old, also known as Levi Nichaloff, won season 15 of the competition after a standout run on judge Melanie C's team.
His victory makes him the first rapper to win The Voice Australia.
After his historic win on Sunday evening, Yung Milla struggled to put his emotions into words.
“I just can't believe it. I'm just so grateful,” he said during the broadcast, also thanking his former Spice Girl coach.
“You've made me stronger as a person, as an artist and I couldn't be prouder. I'm doing it for my people.”
Melanie C told Yung Milla she was proud of the impact he had made throughout the entire competition, not only with his music but also representing his community.
“I think I've run out of words. You know you've affected me," she said.
"Obviously everybody who's been in a room with you, everybody at home. I'm just so proud. You did this!"
From Darwin to the national stage
Yung Milla's stellar run began with his first appearance on the program in August, immediately turning all four judges' chairs with his performance of original song 'All My Life', written by his brother and fellow hip hop artist J-Milla.
From there, his performances continued to showcase his talent, while also bringing his own story and cultural identity to a national audience.
Among his standout performances was his take of Men At Work's iconic song ‘Land Down Under’, incorporating the yidaki, a choir and original rap verses.
He also delivered a powerful performance of Kendrick Lamar's ‘Pray For Me’ during the quarter finals before opening the grand finale with 2Pac's ‘Changes’.
For his grand final duet, Yung Milla joined Melanie C on stage to perform her song ‘Never Be The Same Again’ as he took on the rap verse which was originally performed by the late TLC artist Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes.
Yung Milla's win came after a grand finale that also featured fellow First Nations artist Daisha Auda, who at 15 years old has become the youngest finalist and the first Torres Strait Islander artist to reach The Voice Australia grand final.
The pair represented the mob on one of Australia's biggest stages, with supporters watching right across the country, proudly cheering them on.
In Darwin, hundreds of people gathered at a community watch party to cheer Yung Milla on as the votes were counted, erupting into cheers when his name was announced as the winner.
Doing it for his people
While Yung Milla's performances introduced his music to a national audience, throughout the competition he also opened up about the experiences that shaped him growing up.
During his appearance on the show, he spoke about growing up in a home affected by domestic violence, alcohol and drugs.
“They were all big factors in my household,” he said.
He recalled seeing his mother experience violence and the impact it had on him as a young boy but also opened up about his mother’s resilience, strength and love.
During his introduction to the competition, Yung Milla also spoke about his mother as a major influence on him and his siblings, saying she taught him how to be a man and inspired him to become a good role model.
His family has remained central to his music journey, with brother J-Milla playing an important role in encouraging him to pursue music. As well as his mum Kylie surpising him on stage after his performance of 'Land Down Under'.
Away from music, he works as an adventure therapist and mentor with young Aboriginal men, including young people involved with the justice system and supporting young Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory.
A new chapter
Yung Milla's win on The Voice comes with a $100,000 cash prize and an all inclusive recording and development package with Hive Sound Studios.
But for the young rapper from the Northern Territory, the win means so much more than just the title.
It is an opportunity to take his music, culture and story to an even bigger audience.
And he won't be waiting long to share what's coming up next.
Yung Milla's new track ‘Lethal’ is set for release on October 7, before he joins American rapper Kid Ink for two Queensland dates on his Australian tour.
From the Top End to a national stage, Yung Milla's journey has now entered a whole new chapter, one he says he intends to use to represent his people with pride.
“I did it my people for all the struggles and hard times it paid off! My names Yung Milla and im [sic] the winner of The Voice 2026."
