Adam David Opens Up: Inside His Bromance With Michael Bublé & Remarkable Comeback Story

Adam David faced steep odds in the Season 27 Semifinals of The Voice. Tasked with singing for the Wildcard Instant Save—a sign that typically doesn’t bode well for advancing—Adam, a standout on Team Michael Bublé, continued to deliver performances filled with both emotion and consistency, ultimately securing his coach another win. (See the recap.) TVLine caught up with David to hear his thoughts and more.

TVLINE | Speaking with you is a delight because, although I’ve been impressed with your performances, I honestly didn’t see your win coming.
Neither did I. It must have shown on my face.

TVLINE | You’d make a good poker opponent.
[Laughs] Definitely, definitely.

TVLINE | Let’s start at the beginning. You turned just one chair at the auditions. Did you think you wouldn’t last long?
Actually, one chair was all I needed. Each round I passed was a new opportunity to improve. I critiqued every performance when I watched the replays. I tend to strive for perfection, but I’m learning to be more forgiving with myself—it’s not something anyone can constantly maintain.

TVLINE | Were there performances that you were particularly pleased or unhappy with?
Here’s the thing: I haven’t rewatched my last two performances, “You Are So Beautiful” and “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” because I don’t want to dissect them. Those moments felt incredible as they happened. So, I think I’ll leave them unanalyzed for now.

TVLINE | Perhaps that’s a gift you can give yourself—avoiding overanalysis.
Exactly. I don’t want to spoil those moments for myself. They felt immensely powerful at the time, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, so I want to keep those memories just as they are. Maybe one day I’ll be able to view them objectively.

TVLINE | Finding a balance between critical analysis and self-criticism is crucial.
Absolutely. Take “[Teddy Swims’] Lose Control,” the Instant Save song, for example. It wasn’t my best performance, but I can acknowledge that now, because only someone who has been in that situation understands how intense it felt.

TVLINE | Your emotions must have been all over the place.
It was an overwhelming moment. Facing the disappointment of not making the Top 4, combined with the realization that I could be going home, added a lot of pressure. I thought, “If this is the end, I’m going out with a bang.” That moment allowed me to be kind to myself and recognize I did my best under those circumstances.

TVLINE | You seem to have a great rapport with Michael. What do you think made you two click?
Michael is genuinely a great person. I try to be as authentic as he is. He connects deeply with the music, which is something I value greatly. He’s just a really down-to-earth guy, and I kept wondering if he really could be that cool all the time. Turns out, he is.

TVLINE | Now that you’ve succeeded, who are you dreaming of collaborating with?
I’d love to work with Teddy Swims. I’ve also covered a song by Brandon Lake recently. Jelly Roll, John Mayer, Gary Clark Jr., Marcus King, Allen Stone—I admire all of them. And of course, working more with Michael would be amazing. We had such a great time performing “The Weight” together.

TVLINE | Was there any unexpected message or call you received after your victory?
I’ve heard from many people I lost touch with over the years; some of those messages were quite unexpected. A lot of messages have come from individuals who are also in recovery. One person told me she had been clean for 29 days. This victory isn’t just for me; it’s for everyone still fighting their battles.

TVLINE | You’ve been open about your own struggles with addiction. What message do you want to share with others who might be in a similar situation?
There’s a saying we have: We do recover. I understand what it’s like to be caught in a seemingly endless cycle, and I can affirm that breaking free is possible. It’s hard, but worthwhile endeavors usually are. If I can make it, so can anyone else. We often say that you can live a life beyond your wildest dreams—I’m living proof. I hope others can embrace that message and seek the help they need. Being vulnerable and embracing that vulnerability really can transform your life.