“I have a friendly demeanor, so I formed friendships with everyone. There isn’t a single individual that I didn’t get along with,” John expressed.
Discovering genuine love on reality television programs may not be the norm. While feigned affection is common on such shows, genuine love stories are a rarity post-production.
The prospect of finding true love on singing competition reality shows is usually slim. However, the unexpected can happen, as demonstrated by the enduring love story of John Holiday and Rio Souma, both contestants from Season 19 of The Voice and members of John Legend’s team, who are now happily married nearly four years after their initial meeting.
Two participants from season 19 of The Voice tied the knot in 2022.
During the episode of The Voice aired on Mar. 25, 2024, coach John Legend unveiled the heartwarming news of the marriage between two former contestants who found love on the show. John Holiday and Rio Souma, both competitors on John’s team in season 19, fell in love and exchanged vows. This union was confirmed through John Holiday’s Instagram post in July 2022.
In a profile published on Jan. 7, 2021 by the Green Bay Press Gazette, John reflected on his experience on the popular NBC reality series. When questioned about his relationships from the show, he responded diplomatically, stating, “I’m a friendly person, so I was friends with everybody. There’s not a single person that I didn’t like.”
While he didn’t specifically mention Rio, John had high praise for his coach, John Legend. “I think John Legend is an incredible human being. He’s a phenomenal writer. He’s a great singer, and I really did have a connection with him. I’m grateful for his belief in me, and I’m thankful that he pushed me to do some things that I perhaps I would not have ever done.”
Perhaps one of those things that John wouldn’t have done without John Legend’s influence is embarking on a relationship with Rio.
In an interview with OutSmart Magazine on Aug. 1, 2022, John discussed his recent marriage and his involvement in the LGBTQ community. “I’m proud to be a part of the LGBTQ community, as I feel that one of the things that I try to do in my work is to include everyone. I try to represent all the communities of which I am a member. There are so many challenges that we have in our community, unfortunately,” he expressed.
John further stated, “I hope that in my lifetime, I see the eradication of hatred toward our community. I hope that my music and my life have created a conduit in which we can create conversation. I hope that I have been an example of what love looks like, and what walking in your true, authentic self looks like.”
The responses to the initial Instagram wedding announcement in 2022 and the subsequent revelation of John Legend’s involvement in their marriage on The Voice in 2024 indicate overwhelming support from both John and Rio’s fan bases for their genuine selves.