Huntley is the latest winner of The Voice! The Virginia native won in the December 19 finale, on coach Niall Horan’s team, making it Horan’s second consecutive win. Huntley beat out Ruby Leigh who came in second, Mara Justine in third place, Jacquie Roar in fourth place, and Lila Forde, who rounded out the Top 5. Leigh and Roar were both on Reba McEntire‘s team, while Justine was also on Horan’s team, and Forde was on John Legend’s team.
Huntley’s performance of the Black Crowes’ “She Talks to Angels” earned him a four-chair turnaround during his Blind Audition, and high praise from Horan.
“I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of an English singer called Daniel Merriweather,” Horan said (via People) after Huntley’s audition. “There was another guy called James Morrison. I’m hearing this tone, like the Chris Stapleton thing, that’s a tone that comes naturally. I bet you were singing like that when you were 15. You sing your own way, you sing very direct and so much power and the control that you have. It’s so beautiful to listen to.”
Another tremendous season of #TheVoice and another tremendous winner! 🎊🎶 pic.twitter.com/pxr2GAKAil
— The Voice (@NBCTheVoice) December 20, 2023
Huntley ultimately called his daughter Stella onstage to help him choose his coach, with the six-year-old choosing Horan.
While the talented singer’s biggest dream was to be crowned the winner of The Voice, Huntley already felt like a winner being able to be on the popular reality TV talent show.
“Every time I get out there, I just feel like it’s where I belong,” Huntley told NBC Washington. “Going out there, just not knowing if that’s going to be enough and I felt I had to give it my all and I don’t want any regrets.”
“Everyone knows I can go out there, and I can belt, and I can scream with a lot of soul,” he continued. “But I think he really helped with the story side of my voice and really made me feel confident.
Prior to the finale, Huntley shared his thoughts about being one of the Top 5 finalists on social media.
“This is insane,” Hunley posted. “So blessed and so grateful for everybody that has believed in me on this journey. This Monday my friends and I will put on another live show to showcase what all of us have been working so hard towards. Even though someone will be crowned a winner, we’ve all just been trying to create moments of genuine artistry and the amount of support from all over has meant so much to all of us.
“We’ve had contestants ranging from 13 to 50 years old, people from so many different walks of life,” he added. “It’s been such a bonding experience and all of us have grown from it. Ireally can’t thank the voice enough for putting this group together
Horan has won the last two seasons of The Voice, but he won’t win three in a row. The One Direction singer will not return for Season 25. McEntire will reprise her role as a coach, along with Legend. They will be joined by Chance the Rapper and newcomers Dan + Shay. A Season 25 premiere date has yet to be announced.
Photo Credit: NBC/Trae Patton