Alabama’s Asher HaVon wins ‘The Voice’: ‘I promise I will never let you down’

Alabama’s Asher HaVon is the new winner of “The Voice,” taking the title on Tuesday during the Season 25 finale.

HaVon, 31, a soul singer from Selma, is the first Alabama contestant to score a win on the NBC reality series during its 13-year history. His coach, Reba McEntire, championed her protege throughout the season, and the two shared a big hug when HaVon was announced as the winner.

“Asher deserves to win,” McEntire said on Monday’s performance episode. “Asher is what this show’s all about, finding talent that is so raw, they don’t even know what they’re doing. I would feel like a proud mama if Asher won ‘The Voice.’”

READ: Alabama singer thrills Reba McEntire in ‘Voice’ finals: ‘You made me a very proud mama’

Mission accomplished as a blizzard of confetti flew and fireworks sparkled on Tuesday, at the end of a two-hour grand finale.

HaVon triumphed over four other contenders: Josh Sanders of Kannapolis, North Carolina (second place); Bryan Olesen of Lincoln, Nebraska (third place); Nathan Chester of Chicago, Illinois (fourth place); and Karen Waldrup of Mandeville, Louisiana (fifth place). HaVon and Sanders were on Team Reba, Waldrup was on Team Dan & Shay and Chester and Olesen were on Team Legend, coached by John Legend.

“Thank you for giving me such a safe place to be my authentic self,” Havon said to McEntire, shortly before his win was announced. “Thank you for making me believe in myself, and I promise I will never let you down.”

Viewer votes determined the winner of “The Voice,” and series host Carson Daly waited until the final moments of the finale to announce the victor.

“I have seen you grow. I have seen you change, not any way in your personality or talent, but in your happiness,” McEntire said to HaVon. “I know you’ve had such a great time here on ‘The Voice,’ and everybody has had a wonderful time with you, especially me. … I love you with all my heart. Peace be with you.”

HaVon was widely regarded as a frontrunner this season, turning in standout performances that ranged from a powerhouse cover of Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain” during the Blind Auditions to a passionate rendition of “I’ll Make Love to You” by Boyz II Men during the Top 9.

Another impressive moment was HaVon’s cover of “Titanium” in the Playoffs, which prompted John Legend to compare HaVon to the late, great Whitney Houston.

“She would take these songs that weren’t written for a soul singer and have that restraint and regal presence on a song, but also throw in a dope run that you would hear in church,” Legend said. “In the church, we reserve a certain descriptive for certain vessels; we say they’re anointed. And I just felt that anointing on you. That was divine.”

All of the “Voice” coaches have tossed praise to HaVon like eloquent word bouquets, lauding his range and talent. Along with McEntire, Legend has been among the most enthusiastic, lauding HaVon as much (or perhaps even more than) the singers on his own team.

“Asher, my dad texted me this week and said, ‘Asher is the Voice,’” Legend said, after HaVon covered Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable.” “Now, I’m a little biased toward my team, but I will say this: No matter what other factors people are voting on, I think you’re the best vocalist in this competition. And you show that with every song, no matter what you sing. You can sing, man, just flat out.”

For Monday’s finals episode, HaVon chose two familiar radio hits: Donna Summer’s “Last Dance” and Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.” He received kudos from McEntire for both performances, but she seemed especially touched by the soaring ballad that ended the show.

“Love you with all my heart,” McEntire said to HaVon. “And for you to get up there and sing like you did, using your God-gifted talent, that God was so sweet to give you, makes me so proud and happy. You are so regal when you’re singing, and you carry it so well. So proud. Way to go.”

As the winner of “The Voice,” HaVon will receive a recording contract, according to an NBC press release, along with the season title, a trophy and bragging rights.

Born and raised in Selma, HaVon also has lived in Houston, Texas, according to a “Voice” publicist. The singer moved to Atlanta in December 2023, according to a post on his Instagram page. His hometown remains close to HaVon’s heart, however, and he paid tribute to Selma during a “Voice” episode that aired on May 13.

“I would not be here without Selma,” HaVon said a video package that included clips of the city in Dallas County. “Selma has given me a foundation that I don’t believe I would have gotten anywhere else. The people that are in Selma understand what it means to come from small beginnings and face the world. She’s a beautiful example on how to handle adversity gracefully and rise above it, and still stand. And as an artist, every time I stand on stage, I just feel like the strength that Selma has taught me always shows up and (will) catapult me forward.”

READ: ‘A boy from Selma with a dream’: Alabama singer salutes hometown on ‘The Voice’

Tuesday’s grand finale featured a splashy array of guest performers, including Lainey Wilson, The Black Keys, Thomas Rhett, Jelly Roll and more. Coaches McEntire, Legend and Dan & Shay performed duets with the “Voice” finalists on their teams — HaVon and McEntire sang “On My Own” — and previous coaches from the series appeared in pre-recorded clips.

Five singers from Alabama were featured on “The Voice” this season, but the others were eliminated during previous episodes. Along with HaVon, they were Val T Webb of Birmingham, Ducote Talmage of Auburn, Rivers Grayson of Muscle Shoals and Corey Curtis, a Saraland resident.

Although HaVon’s win was a milestone for his home state, more than 30 contestants from Alabama have made their marks on the show over the years, starting with Nakia Reynoso in Season 1 and continuing through Season 25.

Four singers from Alabama have competed in “The Voice” finals during previous seasons, finishing in third or fourth place. D. Smooth, an R&B singer from Birmingham, took third place during Season 23 in 2023. Dexter Roberts, a country singer from Fayette, was the third-place finisher during Season 16 in 2019. Kirk Jay, a soulful country crooner from Bay Minette, took third place on Season 15 in 2018. Red Marlow, a country singer from Rogersville, was the fourth-place finisher on Season 13 in 2017.

READ: 5 Alabama singers who excelled on ‘The Voice’ (and why we loved them)

Good to know: “The Voice” two-part finale aired at 7 p.m. CT on Monday, May 20, and 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, on NBC. The series also streams on Peacock. Early episodes in the season were filmed in advance.