"You have your voice, you have your heart. Just sing it." — Sofronio Vasquez on overcoming challenges on The Voice season 26

The Voice season 26 finale aired on December 10, 2024, showcasing the top five contestants, Sofronio Vasquez, Shye, Sydney Sterlace, Jeremy Beloate, and Danny Joseph—competing for the title. Representing teams led by Michael Bublé, Snoop Dogg, Reba McEntire, and Gwen Stefani, the finalists delivered their final performances, hoping to secure votes from the audience.

During the live finale, each contestant performed individually, showcasing their growth throughout the season. Vasquez, a member of Team Bublé, also participated in a duet with his coach, Michael Bublé. Reflecting on how he pushed himself, he told People Magazine in a December 9 interview:

"Come on, Sofronio, settle in. You have your voice, you have your heart. Just sing it."

As the finale progressed, the contestants reflected on their journeys and shared moments of gratitude for their coaches and the production team. The episode concluded with declaring Sofronio Vasquez as the winner of The Voice, season 26, and Michael Bublé as the winning coach in his debut season.

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Vasquez's challenges during the competition in The Voice

In the same interview reflecting on his experience, Sofronio Vasquez shared his challenges during The Voice season 26. Being away from his family in the Philippines posed the most significant obstacle for him.

“The hardest thing that I did with this journey is being away from my family,” Vasquez explained.

Beyond the personal difficulty of separation, he also had to adapt to a different musical environment. He noted the differences between the music culture in the Philippines and the United States. He observed that U.S. audiences prioritized soulfulness in performances, which required him to adjust his approach.

“Early on in the season, I noticed that the audience was looking for souls,” he shared.

Initially, this created a challenge as he worked to align his style with audience expectations. To overcome these hurdles, Vasquez focused on delivering emotionally connected performances. His persistence and adaptability ultimately helped him resonate with viewers and crowned him the winner of season 26 of The Voice.

Vasquez shared that he planned to celebrate the journey regardless of the outcome. He expressed gratitude for the supportive environment of the show, mentioning that the production team treated everyone equally and made them feel appreciated. Vasquez added that the decision was ultimately in America's hands.

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Michael Bublé’s winning debut as a coach in The Voice

Sofronio Vasquez, who ultimately became the season’s winner, represented Team Bublé throughout the competition. Their partnership culminated in a powerful duet during the finale, where they performed Who’s Lovin’ You. The performance showcased their vocal strengths and connection, capturing the essence of their collaboration.

Bublé prioritized guiding his team members to understand their talents while refining their vocal abilities.

“I tried to have the greatest singers choose me, and I promised them that if they chose me, I would be there for them, I would help guide them, I’d advocate for them—and I’ve done that,” Bublé said during the season.

Following Vasquez’s win, Bublé shared his admiration for the contestant, saying,

“My Filipino brother, you are the hope of so many people. It has been such an unbelievable journey to be here with you.”

Watch the finale episode of The Voice, which is streaming on NBC and Peacock.