After months of stiff competition, singer Sofronio Vasquez was crowned the season 26 winner of “The Voice” on December 10, 2024. The 32-year-old, who hails from the Philippines, received the most votes from NBC viewers, making first-time coach Michael Bublé a first-time champ, too.

Fans watched the dramatic ending unfold onscreen, with Vasquez up against fellow Team Bublé member Shye in the last moments of the season finale. But there were lots of behind-the-scenes moments captured by NBC’s photographers and on social media by the stars and contestants that are too good not to share.

Sofronio Vasquez’s Emotional Win on ‘The Voice’

EntertainmentNOW / NBCSofronio Vasquez cried tears of joy upon winning “The Voice” season 26 on December 10, 2024.

As soon as Vasquez heard host Carson Daly announce he was the winner of “The Voice,” the soulful singer fell to his knees on stage, crying tears of joy. Along with bragging rights, he’ll receive a recording contract and $100,000 in prize money, according to USA Today.

Sofronio Vasquez Got Star Treatment After His Big Win

EntertainmentNOW / NBCSofronio Vasquez pictured with Snoop Dogg, Asher HaVon and Huntley after winning “The Voice.”

After the two-hour finale ended, the celebration continued and Vasquez was treated like the star that he is. Snoop Dogg, who had just completed his first-ever season as a coach on the show, helped him look snazzy for his winner photos, and Vasquez posed with his predecessors — season 25 winner Asher HaVon and season 24 winner Huntley, who both performed on the finale.

Meanwhile, Bublé posted an after-the-show video (below) in which he gave Vasquez the chance to send a message to his fans and friends in the Philippines and in his adopted hometown of Utica, New York. He moved there in the middle of 2023, according to the Observer-Dispatch, and he told the outlet that the town has been so welcoming, he feels like he was “born and raised” there.

Fellow ‘The Voice’ Contestants Lift Each Other Up Behind-the-Scenes

NBC‘The Voice’ contestants backstage: (l-r) Sydney Sterlace, Jan Dan, Shye, Adam Bohanan, Christina Eagle, Danny Joseph, and Jeremy Beloate

The season 26 contestants were a tight-knit group who’d been through auditions and call-backs together since the spring, then bonding during preparations for the months-long competition and, eventually, live rounds.

Before the Top 8 finalists gathered one last time onstage for a rousing group performance of “Defying Gravity” from “Wicked” on the season finale, photographers captured them backstage in a prayer circle.

After the show, they were all thrilled for Vasquez, including 17-year-old runner-up Shye, who posted two post-finale photos in her Instagram Stories, writing, “CONGRATS @sofroniovasquez LOVE YOU WINNAAAAA” and adding, “Y’all I deadass wanted 2nd place so bad I am so f happy right now you don’t even understand.”

Kelly Clarkson Said She Loved Being Back at ‘The Voice’

The season 26 finale featured multiple star-studded performances including a Christmas tune from season 25 coaches Dan + Shay, a duet between Snoop Dogg and mega mentor Sting, and a medley of hits from Tears for Fears.

Fans were especially excited to see former coach Kelly Clarkson back on the show — there to perform her current holiday single, “You For Christmas” — and she posted a social media video of her behind-the-scenes preparations, sharing how happy she was to be back.

“The Voice” fans won’t have to wait long for the next season of the show. Reigning champ Bublé is the only returning coach for season 27, which kicks off on February 3, 2025.