🎤 A Star is Born: 'The Voice' Crowns Its Season 28 Champion in a Historic Finale

🎤 A Star is Born: 'The Voice' Crowns Its Season 28 Champion in a Historic Finale

The lights dimmed, the confetti cannons were primed, and the tension inside Universal Studios Hollywood reached a fever pitch as NBC’s The Voice officially crowned its Season 28 winner on the night of Tuesday, December 16, 2025.¹ After a season defined by powerhouse vocals, strategic "steals," and a revamped coaching panel, the American public has spoken.

The winner of The Voice Season 28 is Maya Kingston, representing Team Gwen Stefani!

This victory marks a monumental moment for the show: not only is Maya the first indie-folk artist to take the title in several seasons, but she also secured the first win for Gwen Stefani since Season 19, breaking a long-standing "drought" for the No Doubt frontwoman.

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🏆 The Road to the Trophy: The Top 5

The Season 28 finale was a star-studded, two-night event that pitted five incredibly diverse artists against one another. While Maya Kingston ultimately took the title, the competition was the closest in the show’s recent history.

Artist	Team	Style	Placing
Maya Kingston	Gwen Stefani	Indie-Folk / Americana	WINNER
Jaxon Reed	Snoop Dogg	Old School Soul / R&B	Runner-Up
Sarah Beth	Reba McEntire	Contemporary Country	3rd Place
The Sterling Trio	Michael Bublé	Vocal Harmony / Pop	4th Place
Kaleb James	Gwen Stefani	Alternative Rock	5th Place

The results solidified Snoop Dogg as a formidable coach in his second season, as his artist Jaxon Reed nearly pulled off an upset with a breathtaking rendition of Sam Cooke’s "A Change Is Gonna Come" during Monday night’s performance show.

✨ The Winning Moment: Maya Kingston’s Final Stand

Maya Kingston, a 23-year-old street performer from Asheville, North Carolina, was the "dark horse" of the season. She turned only two chairs during the Blind Auditions (Gwen and Michael Bublé) but grew into a fan favorite through her raw, vulnerable storytelling and hauntingly unique tone.

• The Performance that Sealed the Win: On Monday night, Maya performed an original song titled "Mountain Echoes." It was a stripped-back, acoustic performance that left the coaches in tears. Gwen Stefani remarked through tears, "You aren't just a singer; you are a healer. You bring the truth every time you open your mouth."

• The Victory Song: After host Carson Daly announced her name, a stunned Maya performed a celebratory version of Brandi Carlile’s "The Story," joined by her coach Gwen Stefani for a high-energy, emotional duet that brought the house down.

🎸 Finale Highlights: Star-Power and Emotional Goodbyes

The Season 28 finale wasn't just about the contestants; it was a celebration of music, featuring performances from some of the biggest names in the industry:

1. Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre: The "Doggfather" took a break from coaching to perform a medley of hits with special guest Dr. Dre, celebrating the 33rd anniversary of The Chronic and the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

2. Reba McEntire’s Tribute: Reba performed her new single, "Stronger Than the Storm," and shared a touching moment with her Top 3 finalist, Sarah Beth, gifting her a piece of vintage jewelry to commemorate their journey.

3. Michael Bublé’s Big Band Holiday: Bublé brought some early Christmas cheer with a massive big-band performance of "It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas," complete with a full brass section and tap dancers.

4. The Coaches' Farewell: The finale also served as a "see you later" to Michael Bublé and Snoop Dogg, as rumors swirl that the Season 29 coaching panel will see the return of original favorites like Adam Levine and CeeLo Green for a special "Legacy" season.

📈 What’s Next for Maya Kingston?

Winning The Voice is just the beginning. As the Season 28 champion, Maya Kingston receives:

• The $100,000 Grand Prize.

• A Recording Contract with Republic Records.

• A Feature Performance at 'The Voice' Residency in Las Vegas.

Industry insiders are already drawing comparisons between Maya and past winners like Sawyer Fredericks or Girl Named Tom, predicting that her Americana sound will find significant success on both the streaming charts and the folk-festival circuit.

Gwen Stefani, beaming with pride backstage, told reporters, "Maya is the real deal. She’s not a pop star created in a lab; she’s an artist with a soul. We’re going to get into the studio immediately."