If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve probably seen a lot of chatter about who won The Voice. It’s one of those shows where every season feels like a "once in a lifetime" event, but the most recent winners have actually made history in ways that feel a bit different from the usual reality TV hype.
Honestly, tracking the winners can get confusing because the show moves so fast. Between rookie coaches coming in and dominating and veterans like Niall Horan maintaining a "perfect" streak, there's a lot to keep up with.
Let’s get into the specifics of who actually took home the trophy in the most recent seasons and why people are still talking about these specific artists.
The Most Recent Champion: Who Won The Voice Season 28?
The dust has just recently settled on Season 28, and the winner is Aiden Ross.
He’s a 20-year-old from College Station, Texas. If you missed the finale on December 16, 2025, you missed a pretty massive moment for coach Niall Horan. By coaching Aiden to the win, Niall maintained a completely undefeated record. He’s been a coach for three seasons now—23, 24, and 28—and he has won every single time.
That’s basically unheard of.
Aiden Ross wasn't just a "safe" pick. He earned the very first four-chair turn of his season with a cover of Adele’s "Love in the Dark." Most people who try Adele on a stage like that end up falling flat because, well, it’s Adele. But Aiden hit the big notes with a kind of ease that made it look like he’d been doing it for decades.
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By the time he got to the finale, he was up against some heavy hitters. The runner-up was Ralph Edwards from Team Snoop, and the rest of the Top 5 included Aubrey Nicole, Jazz McKenzie, and Max Chambers. It was a crowded field, but Aiden’s "heartbeat of the song" approach—as Niall called it—kinda sealed the deal.
Looking Back at the "Filipino Phenom" of Season 26
While Aiden Ross is the newest name on the trophy, we can't talk about who won The Voice without mentioning the massive impact of Sofronio Vasquez.
He won Season 26 in December 2024. This was a huge deal for a few reasons. First, he was the first Filipino singer to ever win the U.S. version of the show. Second, he gave rookie coach Michael Bublé a win on his very first try.
Sofronio’s story is the kind of stuff producers dream of, but it was his actual voice that did the heavy lifting. He moved to the U.S. from the Philippines in 2022 after his father passed away. He actually told reporters that when he first arrived, he was worried Americans wouldn’t "welcome" him.
He was wrong.
Every single coach—Reba McEntire, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, and Bublé—turned their chairs for him during the Blind Auditions. He eventually chose Team Bublé and never looked back.
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The Final Standings for Season 26
If you’re wondering how the rest of that season shook out, here is the breakdown:
- Winner: Sofronio Vasquez (Team Bublé)
- Runner-up: Shye (Team Bublé)
- Third Place: Sydney Sterlace (Team Gwen)
- Fourth Place: Danny Joseph (Team Reba)
- Fifth Place: Jeremy Beloate (Team Snoop)
Michael Bublé actually made history here too. He became the first coach ever to have both the winner and the runner-up on his team during his debut season.
Why the "Winner" Label is Kinda Complicated
We always ask "who won The Voice," but the real question is: what happens next?
The prize is $100,000 and a recording contract with Universal Music Group. That sounds great on paper. However, if you look at the history of the show, the "winner" isn't always the one who becomes a household name. Think about Morgan Wallen. He was on Season 6 and didn't even make it to the finale. Now he's one of the biggest stars in music.
Experts like those at TVLine and Billboard have often pointed out that the show is better at creating "moments" than "pop stars." The voting audience usually leans toward soul singers and powerhouse belters, but the actual music industry looks for something a bit different.
Sofronio Vasquez acknowledged this himself. He mentioned in an interview with PEOPLE that he had to learn that American audiences weren't just looking for "big belters." They wanted "soul." He had to pivot his style mid-season to connect with voters, moving away from just hitting high notes to actually telling a story.
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What’s Next for The Voice in 2026?
If you're already looking for the next person to win, you won't have to wait long.
The show is heading into Season 29, which is being billed as the "Battle of the Champions." The coaching panel is going to be stacked with veterans: Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson, and John Legend are all reportedly returning to their chairs.
This is a strategic move by NBC. They’ve seen that viewers love the banter between the "classic" coaches just as much as they love the contestants.
Actionable Tips for Following the Next Season
If you want to stay ahead of the curve and figure out who won The Voice before the finale even airs, here’s how to do it like a pro:
- Watch the "Leaked" Auditions: NBC almost always drops one "four-chair turn" video on YouTube a few days before the premiere. Statistically, the winner is often featured in one of these early promos.
- Follow the Social Metrics: By the time the Live Shows hit, look at who has the most views on TikTok and Instagram. The "Voice" app votes are important, but social media engagement is the best predictor of who has the "it" factor.
- Listen for the Story: The show loves a narrative. Whether it’s Sofronio’s journey from the Philippines or Aiden Ross’s college-student-to-star arc, the winners almost always have a clear, emotional storyline that the audience can grab onto.
The real takeaway? Winning the show is a massive achievement, but it’s just the starting line. Whether it’s Aiden Ross or Sofronio Vasquez, the real work starts the day after the confetti falls. Keep an eye on the Spring 2026 season—with Adam and Kelly back, the competition is going to be brutal.
To stay updated on the latest contestants, you should keep an eye on the official NBC "The Voice" YouTube channel, as they release full performances and behind-the-scenes clips that don't always make the broadcast edit. Check the standings weekly once the Battles begin to see which steals might actually change the course of the season.