The Voice viewers went wild May 21 when host Carson Daly announced Asher HaVon as the winner of season 25. The 31-year-old Selma, Alabama native’s victory was a landmark one for two reasons. One, he became the first openly LGBTQ+ winner in the show’s 13-year history. Secondly, he gave country legend Reba McEntire her first coaching win in two seasons of The Voice. And HaVon hasn’t slowed down since earning the well-deserved title. He recently found himself on an even bigger stage at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
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‘The Voice’ Winner Asher HaVon Sings For 16,000 People
Asher HaVon delivered one stirring performance after another during his time on The Voice. The gospel singer infused songs like Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” and Donna Summer’s “Last Dance” with his vivacious personality and powerful vocals. And as the nation’s best athletes geared up for this year’s Summer Olympics in Paris, HaVon got 16,000 people feeling the patriotism.
The Voice champion—“shimmering from head to toe”—took the Target Center stage June 30 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to deliver a flawless rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” HaVon documented the momentous occasion with a June 30 Instagram post.
“Thank you so much U.S. Olympics for having me !!” he wrote. “Wheeew 16,000 people!!”
HaVon added, “@hodaandjenna I love you so much!!!” The artist was referring to the hosts of NBC’s TODAY With Hoda & Jenna, with whom he snapped selfies.
Fans React to Asher HaVon’s National Anthem Performance: “Get This Man His Gold Medal”
The Voice viewers expressed their delight on a Reddit thread. “Asher HaVon absolutely nailing the national anthem at Olympic trials,” one Reddit user wrote.
Another chimed in: “He killed it!! Definitely one of my favorites out of the recent winners.”
On Instagram, HaVon’s fellow season 25 semifinalist heaped on the praise. “Someone get this man his gold medal,” wrote Madison Curbelo.
Top 20 finalist Jackie Romeo added her two cents: “Congratulations Asher !! You deserve to take over the worlddd.”
Just a few days before (June 27), HaVon shared another Instagram post expressing his excitement to play for President Joe Biden the next day in New York City. The next day, Biden delivered remarks at the grand opening of a visitor center at the Stonewall National Monument, the setting of a crucial flashpoint in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Featured image by Caster Studio via Instagram
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