It’s been a tough road for Sofronio Vasquez to get to this high point in his life, winning Season 26 of The Voice. Despite growing up with virtually nothing, including no bed or indoor plumbing, Sofronio calls his childhood a happy one because he had his dad and the music they made together.

But when his father died unexpectedly, Sofronio had to put music aside to pursue a career in dentistry, which eventually led him to move from the Philippines to Utica, N.Y., where he got his second chance at a music career when he was greenlighted through to The Voice Blind Auditions.

From his Blind Audition that got all four coaches to turn for him to his finale duet with coach Michael Bublé, the 31-year-old from Mindanao, Philippines has soared through his performances, including the Roy Orbison ballad, “Crying,” “Sia‘s “Unstoppable” and “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman soundtrack.

With all four coaches to pick from, Sofronio says he almost didn’t choose Bublé because he was the most intimidating of the group because Sofronio had been singing his songs back in the Philippines when he performed at events or in competitions.

“I was thinking, ‘What if I pick him and I cannot express myself because I’m always intimidated?’ I felt like that wouldn’t work, but when the time came that he was pitching his ideas, I was really in shock that he was very Filipino. He has so much Filipino, they call them “very Pinoy.” It was a very heart-to-heart talk and he’s very emotional. That was the deciding factor. That was my perfect moment with him, and it worked out very well.”

Needless to say, it did. But it turns out that Bublé wasn’t the only coach who lent his support to Sofronio. Just a few days before the finale, Snoop Dogg’s manager called Sofronio and offered to fly his mother in from the Philippines so she could be there for her son.

“I told her ‘I’m going to ask [my mother] “Do you want to be here?”’ She’s like, ‘No, as much as I would like to be there, I’m so concerned about you having this mindset of ‘I have to think about my mom and not the competition,’ so she decided she’d rather stay in the Philippines and just have her moment because she has her moment there.”

And when Sofronio gets the chance to go home, he’ll have his moment, too. As the only Filipino/Asian winner of the U.S. version of The Voice, all of the Philippines, as well as people in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and China were rooting for him, making his The Voice win a truly international event.

During our Zoom chat, Sofronio also shared how he celebrated, what was going through his head while he waited for Carson Daly to announce the winner, and what he hopes is next.

What did you do to celebrate?

I did the wrap party, which Snoop Dogg hosted. It was an awesome experience. I got to meet people that I didn’t know who worked for the show. It’s good to know that even from the start, they told me, “We were rooting for you.” It’s a compliment.

You had no chair turns in the Philippines when you tried out for The Voice there. Then you come here and it’s a four-chair turn. What’s the difference between now and then that these people who are superstars in music recognize your ability?

The only difference is the experience. Joining The Voice Philippines back then was just an idea of me doing like, “Oh, I want to audition because it’s The Voice and it’s famous in America.” Of course, it’s famous in the Philippines, too. [I auditioned] without having to use the real core and the real story from my heart.”

But having to be rejected many, many times. Having to go through difficult adversities in life, I guess that’s the answer of me being redirected after 10 years through The Voice in the U.S. and I finally got the chair turn. It’s the best redemption that I could ever imagine.

So, you’re on stage and it’s just you and Shye. What was going through your mind at that moment? Did you actually think you had a chance? The polls were all in your favor.

I was not reading the polls to be honest. You can ask Shye. I think that she would answer the same way that we just wanted to be first and second because we represent Michael Bublé and we wanted to honor him. We wanted to give him that gift of being on the top with both of us. At that moment, if you could read our lips, I can clearly remember that I said, “Shye, I think you’re the winner.” She’s just like, “No, you’re the winner.” So, I just replied, “We are all winners. Team Bublé all the way.” We always say that. Team Bublé all the way.” We got Top 2. I really thought that it was Shye but the moment that Carson Daly finally called my name after the longest 40 seconds of my life, I was just, “Oh, my gosh.”

What’s the plan now? You get a recording deal and $100,000.

Moving forward, I’m just so ready to move and get with the record label to have a deep conversation about my music and put it out right away, so that the supporters and the people who I consider family right now as a support are going to be able to listen and to remember the memories that I had. Moving forward, [I want to] make music that’s more inspirational and soulful classic songs.

Do you have songs written or are you going to look to the label to hook you up with writers?

I tried writing songs but English is not my first language, so I would really love to hook up with a collaborator. Of course, with Michael Bublé’s idea, he knows who are the perfect people to be connected to and to be talking to. I’m going to trust in them, but, of course, I have a really good vision about my music so I’m so excited to be working on that.

I saw a picture of you with Season 25 winner Asher HaVon and Season 24 winner Huntley. What was it like to meet them and what advice did they have for you?

It was really weird to be standing in front of them. The PR team said, “We’ve got all of you,” so the trophy went from Huntley, who then passed it to Asher, who passed it to me. It’s like giving the power to the next winner. I told Asher and Huntley, “I was just watching you guys at home, and I was literally crying. I was inspired so much by your artistry and I really wished that I would be that one.” And a year later, I am here.

The Voice will return on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and stream next day on Hulu.