Huntley, the blues rocker from Fredericksburg, won in the season finale of NBC’s The Voice on Tuesday night.
The 33-year-old dad with a devoted fan base sang “Another Love” by Tom Odell and “Higher” by Creed in the last Live round of Season 24 on Monday night. Fans had until 7:30 a.m. ET Tuesday to cast their votes for one of the five finalists, and the winner was revealed in a two-hour special.
In the final minutes of the show, Huntley was standing on stage with 16-year-old contestant Ruby Leigh when host Carson Daley announced, “Huntley, you are The Voice. Congratulations!” Confetti fell as Huntley hugged Leigh, who was the runner-up, and his coach, Niall Horan. The other finalists rounding out the top five were Mara Justine, Jacquie Roar, and Lila Forde.
“As soon as I got my name called, I was in shock, you know, just how many no’s I’ve gotten in my life — to get that one yes was insane,” Huntley said in red carpet interview with NBC. “Like I said past episodes, I went from a park bench to The Voice. Now I went from a park bench the winner of The Voice, and I’m immensely grateful for America for voting for me.” The winner of The Voice gets $100,000 and a recording contract with Universal Music Group.
Before his performances, Huntley got the chance to watch recorded video messages of support from his sister, his mom, and his son and daughter, with tears streaming down his face.
Huntley had been a favorite of the coaches this season for his powerful and consistent performances.
“I love watching you get so emotional … you really just feel the music so much,” said coach Gwen Stefani after his first performance Monday. “You’re just so effortless and it feels like you come from another time.”
“It’s so hard to get up here consistently every week and show a different side to you,” said Horan. On Tuesday’s show, Huntley and Horan performed a duet of “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan.
Before the results were read on Tuesday, Huntley thanked Horan for letting him be his “goofy” self.
Feature image courtesy NBC
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