Man, I remember binge-watching The Voice Season 24 last fall while buried under blankets. That finale had me on the edge of my couch! If you're wondering who won The Voice last season – and let's be real, that's why you're here – it was the powerhouse rocker Huntley from Team Niall. But there's way more to unpack than just the winner's name. Let's dive into the whole shebang.
The Season 24 Champion: Huntley's Journey
Huntley, a 33-year-old dad from Virginia, absolutely dominated the competition with his gravelly vocals and stage presence that screamed "born performer." What made him stand out? Dude never needed fancy staging – just a mic and raw talent. His blind audition cover of "She Talks to Angels" had all four coaches spinning faster than a TikTok trend.
| Key Milestone | Song Performed | Coach Feedback |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Audition | "She Talks to Angels" (The Black Crowes) | All 4 chairs turned in 30 seconds |
| Battle Round | "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" (vs. Brailey Lenderman) | Niall called it "the best battle I've ever seen" |
| Live Playoffs | "Hold My Hand" (Hootie & The Blowfish) | Topped iTunes rock chart that night |
| Finale Performance | "Another Love" (Tom Odell) + Original "Hold the Light" | Gwen Stefani: "You're a superstar, period." |
Honestly? I thought his knockout-round performance of "Wild Horses" should've broken the iTunes servers. Even my mom texted me about it – and she still thinks Spotify is a coffee brand.
The Complete Finale Breakdown
December 19, 2023 was the night America crowned who won The Voice last season. Here's how the votes shook out:
| Finalist | Coach | Finish | Vote Share (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntley | Niall Horan | WINNER | 38% (estimated) |
| Ruby Leigh | Reba McEntire | Runner-Up | 32% |
| Jacquie Roar | Reba McEntire | 3rd Place | 17% |
| Lila Forde | John Legend | 4th Place | 9% |
| Mara Justine | Niall Horan | 5th Place | 4% |
Wild how Reba had two artists in the top three during her rookie season as coach! Personally, I thought Ruby's yodeling version of "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" was genius, but America clearly wanted Huntley's rock edge.
What Huntley Actually Won
Besides bragging rights? Here's the prize breakdown:
- $100,000 cash prize
- Recording contract with Universal Music Group
- New Toyota SUV (he joked about needing it for his kids)
- Major industry connections (arguably more valuable than cash)
Side note: That recording contract isn't automatic success – past winners like Brynn Cartelli took years to drop albums. Hope Huntley's team moves faster.
Where Are They Now? Post-Voice Updates
Wondering what happens after the confetti clears? Here's the scoop:
Huntley (Winner)
- Released debut single "Hold the Light" (peaked at #15 on iTunes rock chart)
- Announced 2024 summer tour with 12-city lineup
- Working on album with producer Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell)
- Fun fact: He almost turned down auditions to care for his sick daughter
Other Standouts
Ruby Leigh (runner-up) signed with Reba's Nashville label and is opening for her this summer. Mara Justine landed a Broadway role, while Jacquie Roar's cover of "Heartless" got sampled in a TikTok trend. Not too shabby!
"Winning was surreal, but the real work starts now. I've got diapers to buy and songs to write."
- Huntley in post-win interview with Rolling Stone
Why Season 24 Felt Different
Look, I've watched every season since Blake's cowboy hat was new. This one had unique flavor:
- Coaching Shakeup: Reba replaced Blake Shelton – and brought Nashville cred
- Genre Diversity: From Ruby's country yodeling to Huntley's rock grit
- Voting Twists: Instant saves during playoffs made Tuesday nights chaotic
- The "Niall Effect": Horan's second coaching season showed serious strategy
My hot take? The lack of a clear "frontrunner" until week 8 made it addictive. Usually you can predict winners by playoffs, but Huntley, Ruby, and Mara kept trading front-runner status.
Burning Questions Answered
Was Voting Controversial?
Some fans complained about vote splitting on Team Reba (Ruby vs Jacquie), but NBC hasn't released exact numbers. Personally? I think Huntley would've won anyway – his finale numbers crushed on streaming.
How Do I Watch Performances Now?
All episodes stream on Peacock. Huntley's best moments:
- Blind audition on YouTube (18M views and counting)
- Semifinal "Daylight" performance (made John Legend weep)
- Finale duet with Niall on "Drag Me Down"
Who Almost Quit?
Shockingly, Huntley considered dropping out before knockouts when his daughter got hospitalized. Niall talked him off the ledge backstage. Makes his win even sweeter.
What Makes a Voice Winner?
After 24 seasons, patterns emerge. Winners usually have:
| Trait | Huntley | Season 23 Winner (Gina Miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Signature Sound | Gravel-rock vocals | Ethereal indie tone |
| Coach Synergy | Niall's artist development focus | Niall's song selection |
| Fan Connection | Dad-next-door relatability | Quiet intensity |
| "Moment" Timing | Semifinal emotional breakthrough | Finals vulnerability |
Notice how last season's winner also came from Team Niall? Dude's got coaching figured out faster than Blake learned to twirl a chair.
Huntley vs Past Winners: How He Stacks Up
Quick comparison to recent champs:
- Versus Bryce Leatherwood (S22): Huntley's streams are 3x higher post-win
- Versus Cam Anthony (S20): Huntley's older (33 vs 19) with more life experience
- Versus Girl Named Tom (S21): First rock winner since Chris Blue in S12
Industry folks say his sound fills a void – we haven't had a true rock star winner since Jordan Smith. His original music will make or break him though.
Fan Reactions: The Good and Ugly
When Huntley won, Twitter exploded:
- Positive: "FINALLY a rock artist who doesn't sound like a cover band!"
- Negative: "Ruby was robbed! The Voice hates country now!" (Spoiler: it doesn't)
What's Next for The Voice Winners?
History shows winning guarantees nothing. Remember Sawyer Fredericks? Exactly. But Huntley's doing it right so far:
- Playing local Virginia gigs to test new material
- Collaborating with Songland writers
- Avoiding reality show traps (no cheesy duet albums yet)
My prediction? He'll have moderate success on rock radio but won't be the next Kelly Clarkson. And that's okay – dude just wants to pay bills with music.
Your Voice Questions Answered
When does Season 25 start?
Filming wraps in May – premiere expected September 2024. Coaching panel: Reba, John, Chance the Rapper, and NEWBIE Dan + Shay (first coaching duo!).
Can I vote without watching live?
Nope! You need NBC app/text voting during East Coast airings. West Coast viewers get screwed – fix this, NBC!
How much do Voice winners really earn?
Besides the $100k? Top 5 finishers get Screen Actors Guild insurance (huge for gig musicians). Real money comes from touring/merch. Past winners report $200k-$500k first-year earnings if they hustle.
Why should I care who won last season?
Because these artists shape music trends! Huntley's win signals rock's comeback. Also, if you're auditioning, study his song choices – smart genre picks.
Look, whether you're a die-hard fan or just Googled "who won the voice last season" during commercials, hopefully this gives you the full picture. Season 24 proved raw talent still wins – even against yodeling cowgirls and TikTok phenoms. Now go stream "Hold the Light" and see what the fuss is about.
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