The neon lights of Hollywood might seem a world away from the rolling strawberry fields of College Station, Texas, but on the night of September 22, 2025, 20-year-old Aiden Ross bridged that gap with a voice that commanded attention and hearts. As the very first contestant to step onto the stage for Season 28 of The Voice, Aiden didn’t just audition—he ignited the season. His soul-stirring rendition of Adele’s “Love in the Dark” earned him the rarest of honors: a four-chair turn from coaches Snoop Dogg, Reba McEntire, Niall Horan, and Michael Bublé. In a premiere episode packed with talent, Aiden’s performance stood out as a beacon of raw emotion and polished potential, setting the tone for what promises to be a fiercely competitive season.
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The Voice, now in its 28th iteration, has always thrived on the unpredictability of its blind auditions. With coaches seated in those iconic red swivel chairs, backs turned to the performers, the focus is purely on the voice. A single turn means interest; two or three signal excitement; but four? That’s the golden ticket, a unanimous endorsement that screams superstar potential. Season 28 introduces a powerhouse panel: Snoop Dogg brings his hip-hop swagger and genre-blending wisdom; Reba McEntire, the Queen of Country, offers timeless expertise; Niall Horan, the pop sensation with two prior wins under his belt, adds youthful energy; and Michael Bublé, fresh off a championship defense, delivers crooner charisma. Hosted by the evergreen Carson Daly, the season kicked off with a bang, featuring not one but three four-chair turns. Yet, Aiden’s was the opener, the spark that lit the fuse.
Hailing from the heart of Texas, Aiden Ross is the epitome of the all-American dreamer. A sophomore at Texas A&M University majoring in industrial distribution, he balances lectures and lab work with a dorm room overflowing with guitars, keyboards, and microphones—more instruments than textbooks, by his own admission. Growing up on his family’s sprawling farm, where over 24,000 strawberry plants stretch across the horizon, Aiden found his musical roots early. The quiet rhythms of rural life, punctuated by the hum of tractors and the scent of fresh earth, shaped his introspective style. “Singing on the farm was my escape,” he shared in a pre-audition package, his shy smile belying the powerhouse lurking within. High school at A&M Consolidated brought him into the spotlight with A-Side, the school’s contemporary a cappella group. There, Aiden honed his harmonies, earning third place for the ensemble at a regional competition in December 2022—and snagging best soloist honors for himself amid 13 rival teams.
But Aiden’s journey to The Voice stage wasn’t a straight shot. Like many college kids, he’s navigating the push-pull of practicality and passion. Industrial distribution might secure a stable career—supply chains, logistics, the backbone of Texas industry—but music is his soul’s calling. Producers captured him strumming in his cramped dorm, surrounded by posters of Adele and Ed Sheeran, crooning lyrics that echo his own uncertainties about love and loss. Choosing “Love in the Dark,” a 2015 ballad from Adele’s 25 album, was no accident. The song’s aching vulnerability mirrors Aiden’s own experiences: a recent heartbreak that left him questioning his path, both romantic and professional. “It’s about loving someone so deeply it hurts, even in the shadows,” he explained. Risky? Absolutely—covering Adele is like shadowboxing a heavyweight. But as the coaches often say, her tunes are blind-audition gold for a reason: they demand emotional depth, vocal control, and that indefinable “it” factor.
As the studio lights dimmed and the audience hushed, Aiden took center stage. Carson Daly’s voiceover set the scene: “First up, a 20-year-old college student from College Station, Texas.” The opening piano chords of “Love in the Dark” swelled, and Aiden’s voice emerged—clear, commanding, laced with a warmth that belied his youth. He started soft, building from a whispery vulnerability: “Take your eyes off of me so I can leave / I’m far too ashamed to do it with you watching me.” His tone was buttery smooth, wrapping around the melody like velvet. By the chorus—”This is never ending, we have been here before / But I can’t stay this time ’cause I don’t love you anymore”—he unleashed the power, hitting high notes with effortless falsetto runs that soared without strain.
The coaches’ reactions were electric. Snoop Dogg, ever the vibe curator, hit his button first, just 10 seconds in, leaping from his chair with a mid-song scream that echoed through the studio. “Woo! Yeah!” he hollered, unable to contain himself, his face a mask of pure exhilaration. Reba McEntire followed, her country intuition kicking in at the emotional swell, nodding along with a knowing smile. Niall Horan spun next, eyes wide, already swaying to the rhythm—he later confessed it felt like Aiden had “written the song himself.” Michael Bublé completed the quartet, turning with a grin that said he’d just discovered buried treasure. As the final notes faded, the applause thundered. All four chairs faced forward, a wall of star power beaming at the unassuming Texan.
What unfolded next was a masterclass in coach charisma, each vying for Aiden’s allegiance in a whirlwind of pitches, promises, and playful jabs. Snoop, still buzzing, rhymed his way into the fray: “A-Ross the boss, it’s our win, your loss—what’s the cost? It took me 1.3 seconds to turn, brother!” He touted his post-show connections, vowing to link Aiden with industry heavyweights for a career boost beyond the competition. Reba, drawing on her Nashville legacy, called his voice “mesmerizing,” praising the “non-amateur” swagger in his stage walk. “I’ve got the tools to take you all the way,” she assured, her eyes twinkling with maternal pride. Bublé leaned into his vocal coaching prowess: “We were all enchanted. I’m good at helping you find your greatness—song choices, arrangements, the works.” He even quipped about turning Aiden into a “crooner with a Texas twist.”
Niall Horan, however, played the long game—and it paid off. The former One Direction heartthrob, with his track record of back-to-back wins in Seasons 23 and 24, went straight for the heartstrings. “From six notes, I put my neck on the line: You could be in the final, straight out of the gate,” he declared, his Irish lilt infused with genuine belief. He shared his own story of transitioning from boy band to solo stardom, emphasizing growth over genre. “Your voice is unbelievable—let’s make magic.” Aiden, visibly overwhelmed, huddled backstage for a beat before striding forward. “Team… Niall!” The studio erupted; Snoop threw his hands up in mock defeat, Reba clapped graciously, and Bublé nodded approvingly. Niall jumped into a spontaneous hug, whispering, “This is gonna be epic.”
Social media ignited instantly. #AidenRoss trended nationwide, with fans gushing over his “buttery smooth” tone and “shy charm.” Texas A&M’s official accounts lit up: “Whoop for our own Aiden Ross! Gig ‘Em!” One viewer tweeted, “First singer and a four-chair turn? Aiden’s got chills written all over him.” Clips of Snoop’s scream went viral, spawning memes and reaction videos. Even international fans chimed in, with Brazilian and Argentine accounts celebrating his Team Niall addition. The buzz underscores The Voice‘s enduring appeal: discovering diamonds in the rough, like this farm-raised sophomore who could redefine the next generation of pop-soul crooners.
Aiden’s choice of Niall isn’t just strategic—it’s symbiotic. Horan, at 32, mirrors Aiden’s blend of pop polish and emotional rawness, with hits like “Slow Hands” showcasing similar falsetto flair. Under Niall’s wing, Aiden could explore originals that fuse his Texas roots with universal themes, perhaps penning tracks about young love amid college chaos or the pull of home versus ambition. The battles loom next, where duets will test alliances and expose weaknesses. Aiden’s a cappella background gives him an edge in harmonies, but facing seasoned vocalists will demand versatility. Will he stick to ballads or venture into up-tempo? Niall’s history suggests the latter—he’s guided artists like Season 24 winner Jake Luke to genre-bending triumphs.
Beyond the stage, Aiden embodies the evolving artist archetype. In an industry increasingly favoring authenticity over artifice, his story resonates: a kid from the strawberry fields, trading textbooks for turntables, chasing dreams without a safety net. The Voice has launched careers before—think Season 1’s Javier Colon or recent champ Michael Jerger—but Aiden’s got that X-factor. His performance wasn’t flashy; it was felt, a quiet storm that built to catharsis. As Season 28 unfolds over six blind-audition episodes, culminating in 48 artists advancing to battles, Aiden’s already a frontrunner.
The premiere’s innovations, like Carson Daly’s “Callback Card”—a one-shot second chance for a no-turn artist—added fresh drama, but Aiden needed none. He arrived ready, voice steady, spirit unbroken. In a season billed as a clash of titans—Bublé defending his crown, Snoop’s wildcard energy, Reba’s steady hand—Aiden Ross reminds us why we tune in: for the moments when talent transcends the spotlight, turning strangers into believers.
As the credits rolled on that electric opener, with three more four-chair turns (including the country trio DEK of Hearts and powerhouse Jazz McKenzie), one thing was clear: Aiden Ross isn’t just a contestant; he’s a contender. From Texas soil to national stage, his voice echoes a promise—of vulnerability turned victory, of dreams dug from the dirt. Watch out, world: The Aggie with the golden tone is here to stay.
