“Live Finale Part 2” Episode 2517B — Pictured: Asher HaVon — (Photo by: Tyler Golden/NBC via Getty Images)

One listen to Asher HaVon’s soaring vocals and it’s not that hard to fathom why he won the 25th season of The Voice. The Selma, Alabama native grew surrounded by gospel singers, including his mother, who he affectionately calls his “singing sergeant” as she pushed him to sing at a young age. Years later in 2015, an audition for a spot in a choir that would perform to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1965 civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery turned into a lead performance of John Legend and Common’s “Glory” in front of 200,000 people, including President Barack Obama.

Fast forward, and HaVon would be performing for Legend again, as well as fellow The Voice judges Dan + Shay, Chance the Rapper, and Reba McEntire. HaVon would impress the judges with his blind audition, singing Adele’s “Set Fire to the Rain,” with Chance, Reba, and Dan + Shay competing for HaVon to join their team. Ultimately, he would join Team Reba.

Throughout the competition, HaVon’s performances would wow audiences and judges alike. From a show-stopping performance of Toni Braxton’s “Unbreak My Heart” to his final, rousing duet of Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald’s “On My Own” with Reba, HaVon dazzled everyone with his vocal ability. And with his voice, HaVon led the country legend’s team to victory, winning the 25th season of the popular singer reality competition series, and becoming the first openly queer winner of the show.

INTO chatted with HaVon for our Get INTO It series to discuss his experience on The Voice, words of wisdom from Reba, and his historic win.

If Jordan Alexander isn’t on your playlist, then she will be ASAP.

Congrats on winning the 25th season of The Voice! What went through your mind after you were crowned the winner?

Thank you so much! Winning the 25th season of The Voice was truly a dream come true for me. When I was crowned the winner, a mix of emotions flooded my mind. I felt an overwhelming sense of joy, gratitude, and relief. It was an incredible validation of all the hard work and dedication I had put into my journey on the show. I couldn’t help but think about the incredible support from my family, friends, and fans who believed in me throughout the competition. The moment was surreal, and I knew that this was just the beginning of an exciting new chapter in my music career.

What was the most challenging part of the experience?

The most challenging part of The Voice experience was the intense competition and pressure that came with it. Each week, I had to prepare for performances, learn new songs, and showcase my talent in front of a live audience and the celebrity coaches. The level of talent among the other contestants was incredibly high, which pushed me to constantly improve and bring my A-game. Balancing the demands of the competition with the emotional and physical toll it took was also challenging. It required a lot of mental resilience and perseverance to stay focused and give my best performances week after week. But ultimately, the challenges I faced helped me grow as an artist and made the victory even more rewarding.

What advice did you receive from your team’s coach, Reba McEntire, that will stick with you for the rest of your musical career?

To trust my gift. That itself is enough.

Of course, this is a moment that will be a defining moment for many queer youth who watch the show. What was the queer pop culture moment that defined your childhood?

There have been several significant queer pop culture moments throughout history that have had a profound impact on many individuals. Some examples include the visibility and influence of artists like Freddie Mercury, Madonna, and Elton John, who challenged norms and pushed boundaries in their music and performances. The release of movies like Brokeback Mountain and Moonlight also marked important moments in queer representation on the big screen. Television shows such as Queer Eye and RuPaul’s Drag Race have played a significant role in celebrating queer culture.

Many people are obsessed with The Voice, but what TV show, film, podcast, book, song/album are you obsessed with?

Game of Thrones is my number one!

Speaking of obsessions, which musicians are you obsessed with right now?

Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Drake, Dua Lipa, The Weeknd, BTS, Post Malone, and Ariana Grande!

Now that you’ve dueted with Reba, who else would make for a dream collaboration musically?

I would love to do a duet with Toni Braxton.

Now that you have the crown, what’s next for you?

Making great music and being an inspiration for the next songwriters and singers to come!