A staple of many people’s childhoods was watching talent shows on YouTube, whether it was Grace Vanderwaal with her ukulele on America’s Got Talent or Melanie Martinez making her big break on The Voice. With Season 26 of The Voice concluding in December 2024, a bright new star is on his way to fame: Sofronio Vasquez. The Voice winner received four buzzers on his first performance with his rendition of the R&B song “I’m Going Down” by Mary J. Blidge, coined as “a Grammy performance” by judge Gwen Stefani.
Olivia Houton (II) says, “I watched his first performance because my little brother was watching it on YouTube.” Although Vasquez wasn’t her first choice, she “really enjoyed it. He has a pretty voice.”
Although this was Vasquez’s first appearance on The Voice, his name isn’t completely new to the industry. He has previously competed in the second season of the Filipino award show Tawag ng Tanghalan, making it into the finals before being turned down. He later returned for its all-star reboot, in which he placed third.
Vasquez did not plan to pursue singing. Before any of the award shows, Vasquez found himself at school, on track to become a dentist. Vasquez’s father was a tremendous source of encouragement for his son’s talent in music, so much that Vasquez even called his father his “first coach.” After his father’s death, Vasquez decided to pursue music in his honor.
The Voice is known for its wide selection of influential coaches, and this season was no exception. Coaches in Season 26 included Gwen Stephani, Reba McEntire, Snoop Dog and Michel Buble, who Vasquez chose to work with. Buble is an influential Canadian jazz and pop singer. He began his career in the 2000s when he entered a local talent competition and was signed by the judge. Since then, he has won numerous awards, including five Grammys, and has received significant recognition throughout his career, with 75 million copies of his albums selling worldwide. This season marks his debut on The Voice.
For its entire existence, The Voice has always been a platform for budding talent to gain recognition. As a result of his win, Sofronio Vasquez has become the next star to rise from the show. Vasquez’s victory, however, symbolizes more than just a win. His experience on the show has gained him global recognition for all sorts of reasons, with many admiring his beautiful voice and clear tone. Throughout his journey, many were rooting for him in the hopes that he would become the first Asian man to win the contest, and his win was a massive milestone for the Filipino community.
Sofia Matthews (II) agrees with this sentiment: “I think it’s really great that communities such as the Filipinos are able to get recognition for their talents and achievements.” Vasquez’s victory clearly indicates the bright future ahead of him.
