20-year-old Aiden Ross has won Season 28 of The Voice, marking coach Niall Horan’s third victory and cementing his status as a powerhouse mentor on the show. In an exclusive post-win interview, Ross reveals how Horan’s “big brother” guidance kept him grounded and outlines his plan to invest the $100,000 prize directly into his music career, all while continuing his engineering studies at Texas A&M.
The confetti has settled, and for Aiden Ross, the 20-year-old college student from College Station, Texas, the reality of winning Season 28 of The Voice is just beginning to sink in. His victory not only earns him the $100,000 prize but also secures his coach, former One Direction star Niall Horan, a historic third win on the NBC singing competition. This win solidifies Horan’s reputation as one of the most effective coaches in the show’s recent history.
“It’s been a lot to take in,” Ross admitted in his first interview since the finale. “It’s almost like my subconscious when I was on that stage for the finale, it didn’t know how to process it. I’d never experienced anything like that before. But it was incredible, and I’m incredibly thankful.” Ross, who has watched the show with his family since he was six years old, now finds himself at the center of the Voice universe.
The Prize and the Plan: No Guaranteed Contract, But a Clear Vision
In a significant shift from earlier seasons of the show, winning The Voice no longer comes with an automatic recording contract. The primary reward is the $100,000 cash prize. Ross is approaching this new reality with a clear-eyed, strategic mindset. He confirmed he is already in talks with record labels but has a definitive plan for the prize money regardless.
“I think I owe it to myself, I owe it to those who voted for me, my loved ones who sacrificed for me to invest it into my music career,” Ross stated. “So, whatever that may be, whether it’s outreach, whether it’s writing and production, it’ll probably be things of that nature. I won that with music, I should use it to support music.”
Defining a New Sound: The “Lizzie McAlpine-Olivia Dean-type Male”
Ross has a distinct vision for the artist he wants to become. He aims to fill a gap he perceives in the current music landscape. “I feel like there’s a hole in the industry for a Lizzie McAlpine-Olivia Dean-type male,” he explained. “I hope to be that. I think my music speaks to that. There’s something hopeful and honest about it that I think will really excite people.”
His current single, “Everything and More,” is available now, and he teased that a new song will be released within the month, signaling a swift move to capitalize on his victory momentum.
Niall Horan: Mentor, Big Brother, and Career Advisor
The relationship between coach and artist emerged as the cornerstone of Ross’s journey. He describes Horan less as a distant celebrity and more as an integral part of his support system. “It’s less about exact plans for the future, but more so just like a trust thing,” Ross said. “Niall has been in my corner throughout this whole process. He’s been like a mentor and a big brother to me. And I’m really excited for our future together. You will definitely see more of me and Niall together in the future, I can tell you that.”
This mentorship extended to critical performance advice that Ross credits with his win. Horan repeatedly urged him to find the emotional core of a song. “I’d get a little bit lost in the sauce… and I’d lose the interpretation of the story,” Ross recalled. “Niall would say ‘Aiden, find the heartbeat of the song and let that anchor you.’ That really helped me convey and relate to people.”
Juggling Music Stardom and a College Degree
Unlike many reality show winners who drop everything to pursue fame, Ross is taking a more measured approach. He plans to continue working toward his engineering degree at Texas A&M University, a decision he made after consulting Horan.
“I went to Niall about it… I was like, ‘Well, how do you think this is a Plan B? Do you think I can do it?’” Ross shared. “And he was like ‘Dude, do it. Not really because of a Plan B.’ Niall never had the opportunity to go to college. He said, ‘You should go to college just to stimulate your brain, just to learn. Education is a great thing.’”
Ross has proven he can manage both pursuits, taking online classes during the competition. “Last semester, I took one online class, and I was totally able to give everything to music,” he said. “So, this next semester, I’ll probably do one or two online classes just to continually stimulate my brain… but also be giving everything I have to music. I owe it to myself to do that.”
What’s Next for The Voice and Aiden Ross
The Voice returns for Season 29 with a new format, The Voice: Battle of Champions, premiering on Monday, February 29, 2025, on NBC. For Aiden Ross, the future is about building on the foundation laid by his win and his relationship with Niall Horan. His story is a modern blueprint for reality TV success: strategically leveraging the platform, investing wisely, and maintaining a balanced perspective on education and career—all under the guidance of a coach who became a genuine mentor.
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