You’ve seen the confetti. You’ve watched the coach sprint across the stage to hug a sobbing 20-year-old. The music swells, the credits roll, and the screen fades to black. But once the cameras stop rolling and the stage hands start sweeping up the glitter, what actually happens to that person? Everyone asks the same question every season: on The Voice, what does the winner get besides a trophy that looks like a hand holding a microphone?
Honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. For Aiden Ross, who just took the Season 28 crown under Niall Horan’s wing in December 2025, the reality is a whirlwind of paperwork and sudden tax brackets.
The short answer is a check and a contract. The long answer? Well, that involves a lot of fine print and a very specific relationship with Universal Music Group.
The Famous $100,000 Cash Prize
Since Javier Colon won the very first season back in 2011, the "grand prize" amount hasn't budged. It’s $100,000. While that sounds like a life-changing windfall—and for many contestants, it is—it’s not exactly "retire on a private island" money.
Basically, you have to treat that $100,000 like a high-end freelance check. Uncle Sam is going to want his cut immediately. Depending on where the winner lives, federal and state taxes can easily eat up 30% to 40% of that total. Take Aiden Ross, for example. He’s a college student at Texas A&M. Suddenly having $60,000 or $70,000 in the bank after taxes is huge for a sophomore, but it’s not enough to fund a massive world tour or buy a mansion in Hidden Hills.
Past winners like Chevel Shepherd mentioned wanting to buy a car—specifically a 1972 Chevy Chevelle—to build with her dad. Todd Tilghman talked about taking his wife and eight kids to Disney World. These are "normal people" dreams, which is kinda the charm of the show.
The Record Deal Reality Check
The second part of the prize is the recording contract with Universal Music Group (UMG). This is where things get complicated. On paper, it’s the dream. You get signed to a major label! In practice, the industry calls these "360 deals" or structured talent show contracts, and they aren't always the golden ticket they appear to be.
The winner is typically signed to one of UMG’s subsidiary labels, like Republic Records. Here is the part most people get wrong: the label isn't necessarily obligated to spend millions promoting you. They provide the infrastructure to record and release music, but several former winners have expressed frustration over the lack of support once the show's hype dies down.
Adam Levine actually went on a bit of a rant years ago about how the labels "fumble" the winners. He wasn't wrong. Because the show focuses so much on the coaches, the artist often enters the market without a clear "brand" other than Being the Person Who Won.
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What’s actually in the contract?
- Royalties: The winner does earn money from the sales and streams of their music, but they usually have to "recoup" the costs of recording first.
- Commitment: You are often locked in. You can't just go sign with a different label if you don't like how Republic is treating you.
- Control: The network and the label usually have a massive say in your image and what kind of songs you release during that first year.
The Perks Nobody Mentions
If you make it to the live shows, even if you don't win, you’ve already "won" a few things. The wardrobe department is legendary. Executive producer Audrey Morrissey has mentioned that once contestants hit the lives, they get custom-shopped wardrobes. Many winners, like Brynn Cartelli, have said they were allowed to keep a lot of those clothes.
There's also the "stipend." While you’re filming, you aren't exactly "paid" a salary, but you get a living allowance to cover your meals and basic expenses while you’re stuck in a hotel in Los Angeles for months. It's not much, but it keeps you fed.
Then there’s the coach connection. This is the real prize for some. Niall Horan, for instance, has stayed notably close to his team. Winners often get invited to open for their coaches on tour. Brynn Cartelli opened for Kelly Clarkson. That kind of exposure to a built-in stadium audience is worth way more than a $100,000 check.
Why Don't All Winners Become Superstars?
When you look at The Voice, what does the winner get in terms of long-term fame, the stats are a little sobering. Compare it to American Idol, which produced Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. The Voice has struggled to produce a household name of that caliber.
Part of the issue is the contract’s restrictive nature. Another part is the "Voice Halo." Fans love the person on the screen, but once the show ends, those fans don't always follow them to Spotify.
Winners often pivot. You’ll find them doing:
- Regional Theater: Many winners have incredible voices that are perfect for Broadway or touring companies.
- Vocal Coaching: Using the "As Seen on The Voice" tag is a massive marketing boost for private lessons.
- Cruise Ships and Corporate Gigs: These are high-paying, steady jobs that allow a singer to make a six-figure income without being a "pop star."
The Legal Strings
NBC doesn't just hand over a check. The contract is famously intense. There are clauses that allow the network to take back the prize money if a contestant violates their non-disclosure agreement or disparages the show.
There have even been reports that the contract allows the show to "change the rules at any time," which is a standard legal safeguard for reality TV but still feels a little daunting when you’re a 19-year-old singer signing away your next five years. If you leak the results or talk too much about the behind-the-scenes drama, you could be looking at a lawsuit ranging from $100,000 to $1 million.
Actionable Next Steps for Aspiring Artists
If you're looking at The Voice as your big break, you need to treat the "prize" as a springboard, not a finish line.
- Bank the Cash: Don't spend the $100,000 on a Ferrari. Use it to hire a private publicist or a social media manager who works for you, not the show.
- Build Your Own Brand: Don't wait for the label to tell you who you are. Post on TikTok and Instagram every single day while the show is airing so the fans connect with you, not just your coach.
- Lawyer Up Early: If you get that "The Voice" contract in your inbox, don't just sign it. Have a music attorney look at the "upstream" rights and the duration of the recording commitment.
The trophy is great for the mantle, but the real win is the 10 million people who saw your face for twelve weeks. If you don't capture that audience yourself, the $100,000 will be gone before your first album even drops.