Overview
- NBC wrapped the two-part Season 28 finale on Dec. 16 with the winner announced after a public vote that ran from Dec. 15 at 9 p.m. ET to Dec. 16 at 7 a.m. ET via the official website and app (one vote per email per method).
- The Top 6 finalists were Aiden Ross, DEK of Hearts, Max Chambers, Jazz McKenzie, Aubrey Nicole and Ralph Edwards, with DEK of Hearts and Chambers revealed as viewer-selected wildcards during Part 1.
- Guest performances included XG and Khalid, with additional appearances by Zac Brown, Riley Green, Noah Cyrus, season alum Sofronio and members of Journey, plus a finale pre-show hosted by Ariana Madix and Dylan Efron.
- Coach Niall Horan was on doctor-ordered vocal rest and did not perform during the finale broadcast.
- Some outlets reported certain celebrity segments were pre-taped and viewers complained about audio quality, while pre-show social and streaming metrics identified Aiden Ross as a frontrunner.