Well, that was a plot twist no one saw coming! During “The Voice” Blind Auditions that aired on September 23, 2025, one artist left a winner despite none of the coaches turning their chairs for him.
Southern California firefighter Jacob Ryan Gustafson, 35, auditioned for “The Voice” by singing Morgan Wallen’s hit song “Spin You Around.” Even though he won’t be continuing on the show, he walked away with a brand new fiancée and the pride of saying he celebrated his engagement with the likes of Reba McEntire, Niall Horan, Snoop Dogg, and Michael Bublé.
‘The Voice’ Artist Jacob Ryan Gustafson Broke Down Talking About His True Love
Gustafson was accompanied to his audition by his mom and Jen, with whom he said he’d created a “modern-day ‘Brady Bunch’ family” between his three kids and Jen’s three kids from previous relationships.
The country singer has been trying to focus on his music career, but has a demanding and dangerous job with the Loma Linda Fire Department, he said, that requires “48 hour shifts, minimum.”
“I’ve been in those situations where the roof collapsed on top of me,” he told producers, “but that’s kind of what we signed up for … Having impacted people’s lives is very special.”
Jen said backstage that the possibility of him earning a spot on “The Voice” was a potential life-changer for them, explaining, “I love his career path that he’s gone down, but the unknown if he’s gonna come home safe every night is probably the hardest thing. Just being able to have something that his kids can look up to and be proud of, but not that he has to put his life on the line every single day would probably be the most amazing part for us.”
Gustafson said in the last year, he’d started “gigging really hard” at local breweries and bars, noting, “It took me 20 years to get the confidence to do something like this.”
Before taking the stage, he got choked up as he said, “I really want to show Jen that her belief in me has made me believe in myself.”
Jacob Ryan Gustafson Released Song Based on His Engagement on ‘The Voice’
Gustafson chose to sing “Spin You Around” because the lyrics remind him of Jen, he told producers: “Spinning around all night, dancing — that’s what I want to do with her for the rest of my life.”
Though the coaches didn’t turn their chairs, they applauded him for being a public servant. He thanked them for the opportunity and then asked if he could bring Jen onstage, saying, “She is the reason why I’m here.”
“I gotta be honest with you Jacob, I was so close (to turning around),” Horan told him as Jen took the stage. “If I could press it now, I would. I’m so sorry.”
Snoop then said he was so impressed that he’s also a firefighter, he promised to follow Gustafson’s career and connect with him about potentially recording something for his label.
“That would be amazing,” Gustafson replied. “You know, this life is a beautiful life and I’m so blessed.”
“Even right now, if I could change anything,” he continued, letting go of Jen’s hand as he turned to her, “the only thing I’d change is your last name.”
He then got down on one knee as Jen stood crying, and proposed. After she said yes, the coaches got up from their chairs cheering, and encircled them, giving the couple hugs.
“Okay, so you won ‘The Voice!'” Bublé said as he hugged Gustafson and later told producers, “Jacob shows you that there are no losers on ‘The Voice.’ What a beautiful moment. Yeah, nobody turned, but the person that he wanted most said yes.”
As “The Voice” went to a commercial break, Horan sang with a country twang, “And the only thing that I would change is your last name.”
Gustafson, who proposed when the Blind Auditions were filmed in July, released a single on September 22 inspired by Jen and their engagement, called “If I Could Change Anything.”
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