Aiden Ross brings Niall Horan’s advice on raising Cane after ‘The Voice’ win

College Station got a little noisier on Jan. 13, and not just because the spring semester is officially underway. “The Voice” Season 28 champion Aiden Ross, a College Station native and engineering student at Texas A&M, returned home for a fan-filled morning at Raise the cane in College Station, where he worked fully, in front of the fans, to celebrate his historic victory. With The Blast in attendance, Aiden Ross transformed an ordinary chicken finger race into a full-scale homecoming moment, greeting students, Caniacs and longtime fans who filled the restaurant to catch a glimpse of their hometown star.

During his shift, the new champion worked the counter and drive-thru, signed autographs and merchandise, took selfies with fans, pumped Cane’s sauce, buttered Texas Toast, bagged Box Combos and served chicken fingers while the crowd cheered.

After weeks of filming in Los Angeles, the return to College Station was clearly different. “It’s so nice to finally get some familiarity back,” Ross said at the news conference. “Now here we are at Cane’s, my favorite chicken finger restaurant in the world. I was just excited to [have] chicken.

Ross also explained why coming back and showing his face in the community was so important, especially after such a big win. “Of course I owe it to everyone,” he said. “The way everyone showed up…the way College Station showed up, the way A&M showed up, was just amazing.”

That support, he added, is something he doesn’t take lightly, and it fuels what comes next.

Even with a national title under his belt, Ross made it clear that he didn’t suddenly forget who he was or the path he originally followed. “I went to A&M. I mean, I’m still at A&M to be an engineering student,” he said, explaining that staying in school is still important to him because he really enjoys learning.

But for now, he’s focused on the music and honoring everyone who got him to this point. “Ultimately what I’m focused on right now is being able to give everything I have,” Ross added. “I think I owe that to the people who voted for me, to the people who believed in me.”

When asked what fans can expect now that he’s officially the season 28 champion, Ross replied, “They can expect a lot of content and a lot of new music coming.”

He also reflected on how surreal it was to go from being a kid watching the show to winning it and then coming home to experience it all with the people who had been in his corner since day one.

“My family and I have been watching the show since the first season,” Ross explained. “I think I was six when I started…To finally be on the other side of the screen…it’s such a crazy experience.”

Ross also spoke about his relationship with the coach Niall Horancalling him a “big brother figure” and sharing the advice he clings to now that the confetti is settled. “One thing he always tells me is… to appreciate it for what it is,” Ross said. “Don’t rush through this process…you’ll look back and say, ‘Wow, what an incredible time that was. » »

What if he could send a message to his younger self, the kid who watched “The Voice” from the couch? “I would literally say, ‘We did it, bro,’” Ross said. “To have been on the show, to have won the show, it’s a real full circle moment for me.”

Ross’ musical journey began long before prime-time television, and he recalled his early days performing locally, including First Friday in College Station, as a seminal moment. “I remember singing for the first time at First Friday…in sixth grade,” he said. “There was no one on the street… but my family was there… that was the most important thing for me. »