“As a Mentor, as a Coach, and as a Mother”: ‘The Voice’ Winner Asher HaVon Details the Profound Impact Reba McEntire Has Had on His Life

Exclusive: 'The Voice' Season 25 Winner Asher HaVon Talks Coach Reba McEntire's "Validation" and Making the Next "Greatest Ballad" - American Songwriter

Despite not having sung a note in two years, Asher HaVon sent all four big red chairs spinning with his Blind Audition performance on The Voice. Under the guidance of coach Reba McEntire, the Selma, Alabama native, 33, became the show’s first openly LGBTQ+ winner. Since claiming the season 25 trophy, HaVon hasn’t stopped giving Reba her proper due. He recently opened up about the invaluable lessons he learned from the “Queen of Country.”

Asher HaVon Dedicated His First Song After ‘The Voice’ To Reba

As a Mentor, as a Coach, and as a Mother”: 'The Voice' Winner Asher HaVon Details the Profound Impact Reba McEntire Has Had on His Life - American Songwriter

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Asher HaVon took the stage during The Voice season 26 finale. The R&B artist sang directly to Reba as he performed his latest single, “Thank You,” which he dedicated to his coach.

“The entire song was based on our relationship, of course being from Selma, not experiencing a big city and then going to the big city and meeting Reba,” HaVon told his hometown paper. “She really cultivated me like a mother with a son and just really walked me through some great trials and really bringing me out on the other side as a mentor, as a coach and as a mother.”

Asher HaVon: Reba “Woke Me Up”

Prior to auditioning for The Voice, Havon admits, “I was done with music, honey.”

“I was like, this ain’t it. Like, I’m going to work at McDonald’s to be happy, give me a check,” he said.

Thanks to some gentle prodding from his coach, the gospel singer found his footing on the show and in his musical future.

“Reba did just that; she woke me up,” he said, adding, “I am just not a usual individual… and Reba captured all of that. And she literally protected it and she almost packaged it just right and then represented me to where I was able to come out as my full authentic self.

“And so it was just the safety of her, the ambiance of who she is and her wisdom and her knowledge and even the smile of hers,” he continued, “that made me feel that there was nothing I could not do while in her presence.”