The VoiceWinner Jordan Smith Shares Shocking Moment When He Found Out Henry Winkler Was a Fan (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Left: Jordan Smith; Right: Henry Winkler attends ‘New York Magazine’s’ Vulture Festival at NYA EAST on Nov. 17, 2024 in Los Angeles.Photo:Jonah Deaton; Amy Sussman/Getty

Jonah Deaton; Amy Sussman/Getty

The Voice’s season 9 winner,Jordan Smith, is revealing some never-before-seen moments from his time on the show.“Sometimes it feels like it’s just yesterday that I was on the show and then other times it feels like it’s been a lifetime,” the singer, 31, told PEOPLE. “So much has happened just in the last 10 years. I’ve had so many pinch me moments and so many dream come true moments.”The Voicefans will remember when the singer beltedSia’s “Chandelier” during his blind audition. The jaw-dropping performance turned all four judges’ chairs:Gwen Stefani,Pharrell Williams,Blake SheltonandAdam Levine. In the end, Smith joined forces with theMaroon 5singer.

Jordan and Kristen Smith with Adam Levine.Jordan and Kristen Smith

Jordan and Kristen Smith

“It was such a gift to work with Adam,” the gospel singer said. “He really made space for me on the show to be myself. And he was very adamant about me representing my artistry through the songs that I chose, through the stylistic choices that we made.”Smith’s musicianship and vocal chops quickly garnered him a large following of fans, including some famous ones. While the former contestant was standing backstage during an episode’s taping, a producer informed him that some audience members were hoping for a meet-and-greet.“At this point, if I even have one fan that’s so cool," he said. “I’m standing in this room and in walks this couple. They just approach me and I realize I’m looking atHenry Winkler.”

It turns out that theHappy Daysactor and his wife,Stacey Weitzman, were huge fans of the up-and-coming artist. Before Smith could realize he was in the presence of the Fonz, the actor had approached him, arms out.

Another behind-the-scenes moment Smith shared with PEOPLE happened during the finale, when the cast and crew were “running around like crazy madmen.” While changing clothes, flipping his hair, and putting on different shoes, he stepped backwards and heard a “crunch” under his foot.“When I looked down, my in-ear monitor had fallen off and was on the floor and I crushed it completely,” he remembered. “That was the only way that we were able to even hear any of the music, anything we were doing on stage.”

‘The Voice’ Winner Jordan Smith and his trophy.Jordan and Kristen Smith

Smith had to use a generic in-ear monitor without a sound check to accommodate.“It didn’t affect the performance too much, but I always think about that performance and wonder if people could see the panic on my face as I was fighting for my life,” he laughed.

To mark 10 years since winning the hit NBC show, Smith is releasing his fifth studio and sixth overall album.The People’s Hymnal, via Gaither Music Group, is Smith’s “fresh and new” take on songs fans “all know and love while still paying honor and reverence to them.” Included on the album are covers of “Oh Happy Day,” “How Great Thou Art” and “The Blood.”

‘The People’s Hymnal’ cover art.Jordan and Kristen Smith

“They’re songs that connect and have connected so many people together throughout history,” he said. “And there’s a few newer songs on there that I think are just a general part of our universal experience in the world.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.He added: “It’s a different project for me. I get to sing on this project in a way that I haven’t sung in the past, and I get to explore my artistry, my creativity [and] explore my voice in a way that I haven’t really used it even sinceThe Voice.”Jordan Smith’s album,The People’s Hymnal, is available now.

source: people.com