Texas Talent Ross Crowned Winner of The Voice Season 28 in a Show-Stopping Finale
On Tuesday, December 16, in a thrilling season finale of The Voice, 20-year-old Ross, hailing from College Station, Texas, was crowned the winner of Season 28. His victory marked a major milestone not only in his musical career but also in the journey of his coach, Niall Horan, who became an undefeated coach with this win. As the Heaven singer celebrated his first victory on the show, Ross couldn’t hide his gratitude for the mentorship and guidance Horan provided throughout the season, elevating him to the top of the competition.
Ross’ remarkable win was the result of months of fierce competition, and his journey to the finale was a testament to both his talent and determination. The Texas A&M student, who earned the season’s first four-chair turn with his powerful rendition of Adele’s “Love in the Dark” during the blind auditions, had been on an unforgettable path to stardom. As the stakes grew higher with each round, Ross faced off against talented finalists from every team, including DEK of Hearts, Team Reba’s Aubrey Nicole, Team Snoop’s Ralph Edwards, and Team Bublé’s Jazz McKenzie and Max Chambers. Yet, it was Ross who stood strong, impressing both the coaches and viewers with his compelling performances week after week.
In the final moments, Horan, who had mentored Ross from the very beginning, was full of praise for his contestant. “You’re a really down-to-earth, lovely guy who’s gifted. I wish you the best, bud,” said Horan, a statement that encapsulated not just their professional relationship, but the deep friendship they had cultivated over the course of the season.
But it was Ross, ever gracious, who delivered an emotional tribute to his coach. “The most important thing he’s taught me is to love what I’m doing and be glad that I’m doing it. Love you, man,” Ross expressed, words that were met with heartfelt applause.
For Ross, working with Niall Horan was a dream come true. The connection between the two was undeniable, as Ross shared his appreciation for Horan’s role in shaping his journey. “I have a great connection with him,” Ross said. “He has been a great mentor to me throughout this process. He also just makes the kind of music that I want to create one day.”
As a full-time student juggling coursework with the intense demands of the competition, Ross had his work cut out for him. Yet, he remained steadfast and focused on his dream. “Finding that balance between doing my schoolwork and doing my music work has been really fun, but really interesting,” he remarked, revealing a glimpse into his disciplined yet passionate approach to both his studies and his music career.
Looking back at his blind audition, where Horan jokingly expressed his belief in Ross’ future success (“If you don’t pick me, I wish I could turn this chair around and never turn it again”), Ross reflected on the moment with deep gratitude. In a heartfelt Instagram post following his victory, Ross wrote: “I’m speechless. So blessed to be able to share such a special moment with you guys, the best is yet to come! Thank you @niallhoran for taking a chance on me, let’s get busy. Thanks, and Gig’em 😉”
As Ross celebrates this pivotal moment in his career, it’s clear that this victory is just the beginning. With his undeniable talent, dedicated work ethic, and the invaluable mentorship of Niall Horan, the future looks incredibly bright for this rising star.
