Former Derby HS Football Player And The Voice Contestant Jaelen Johnston Was Raised By His Mother, Tonya, As A Single Parent!
James Stevens
Published May 15, 2026
Former Derby HS Football Player And The Voice Contestant Jaelen Johnston Was Raised By His Mother, Tonya, As A Single Parent!
Jaelen Johnston delivered a powerful performance of Chris Stapleton's Cold during The Voice Season 27 Live Finale.
May 20, 2026
This article was last updated by Manoj Gadtaula on May 20, 2026
Jaelen Johnston comes from a musical family, with his grandfather, Ross, often compared to country legend Ronnie Milsap.
A country singer from Derby, Kansas, Jaelen gained national attention as a contestant on NBC’s “The Voice.”
He started his journey as a football player at Derby High School in Kansas.
As a wide receiver, he was known for his athleticism and leadership on the field. However, despite his passion for football, he always deeply loved music.
His transition into singing began when his grandparents gifted him a Taylor guitar at age 16.
Johnston started playing at local open mic nights, gradually building confidence in his musical abilities.
Over time, he realized that music was his true calling, and he left his job at McConnell Air Force Base to pursue it full-time.
Jaelen Johnston’s Grandparents Gifted Him His First Guitar!
Jaelen Johnston of European descent was raised by his mother, Tonya Johnston, as a single parent in Derby, Kansas.
Tonya has been a huge supporter of Jaelen Johnston’s music career. She works in the attendance office at Derby High School and is delighted about her son’s success on The Voice.
On the top of that, she even went the extra mile and submitted his application for The Voice without telling him.
She knew he had doubts about auditioning, so she took matters into her own hands.
To make sure he didn’t back out, she called him just moments before his pre-show audition, leaving him no time to change his mind.
in talking about Jaelen’s journey, stating:
It means the world to me because he is doing what he loves. It takes a lot to get up in front of people and sing.I fully support him because he enjoys it and I am excited to see him make a career out of what he loves
She has shown her support by wearing a custom Jaelen Johnston t-shirt and keeping a sticker of him pinned to her desk.
Her decision turned out to be a game-changer, as Jaelen became a Top 5 finalist on The Voice Season 27.
Unfortunately, there is no publicly available information about his father or details regarding how his parents met or married.
Jaelen Johnston’s grandfather, Ross, was a Canadian entertainer whose vocals have been compared to country legend Ronnie Milsap.
His grandparents played a crucial role in his musical journey. They gifted him his first guitar at age 16, which sparked his passion for music.
Tonya Johnston Secretly Submitted Jaelen Johnston’s Application For The Voice!
Jaelen Johnston’s mother, Tonya Johnston, has strong ties to her hometown of Derby, Kansas, where she was born and raised.
She attended Derby High School before continuing her studies at Butler Community College.
Tonya Johnston has been one of Jaelen Johnston’s strongest supporters throughout his journey. (Source: )Over the years, she has built a career in education, having worked at Butler Community College.
She is currently working in the attendance office at Derby High School.
Additionally, she now resides in Wichita, Kansas, where she continues to support her son’s musical journey.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Jaelen Johnston, in his first performance, sang Luke Combs’ “Where the Wild Things Are.”
- His coach, Kelsea Ballerini, was visibly moved, calling it his best performance yet, after his performance in The Voice Season 27 Finale.
- Check other Articles on
Sangita is a passionate blogger with a keen eye for covering recent and trending news, particularly in the world of sports. Her love for travel and nature fuels her writing, adding a vibrant and refreshing perspective to her work. When she's not chasing the latest headlines, Sangita can be found exploring new destinations, capturing the beauty of nature, and sharing her adventures with her audience. Her unique blend of interests and expertise makes her blog a go-to source for both news enthusiasts and fellow travelers.
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