Published: 9:41 PM PST, December 19, 2023
The Voice has crowned its Season 24 champion and Huntley couldn't be happier!
“Honestly, I was so surprised,” the rocker and father of two told ET's Deidre Behar after his big win. “Ruby [Leigh] She is so talented and I think she is a force to be reckoned with. So the fact that we were both up there was right… She's super talented and when my name was called I really couldn't believe it.”
The 33-year-old Virginia native was the last man to finish in the Top 5 of The Voice on his season, and he was effusive about the support he received throughout the season from his coach Niall Horan – who too a back-to-back on Tuesday, in his second season as a coach, he won the singing competition.
“Whenever I feel like I'm too busy or complaining about this process, I kind of look back and think to myself: This guy is literally flying around the world and still emailing me feedback,” he gushed. “It’s pretty cool – I really, really respect it.”
As for his plans after the show, Huntley said he's looking forward to some time off over the holidays before continuing his rise to music stardom.
“I think my main thing is to take a step back, just breathe and really take it all in,” he shared. “This experience lasted six months. I spent six months without my children – my son now speaks in full sentences. It's crazy.”
“But it was all so worth it,” Huntley continued. “I just want my career. I’m so hungry for this… John.” [Legend] said he could see me singing in arenas around the world and that's something I'm very hungry for. Y’all can’t get rid of me!”
As for his coach, Niall said he was happy to have done his best to maintain good relationships with his team members and support their musical dreams.
“When I took this job, I told myself that no matter how busy I was at my day job, I would be 100 percent committed,” he said. “I've been on a show like this and I know what it's like to have a strong mentor… Maybe that's the secret, I don't know.”
In the new year, the former One Direction singer is looking forward to kicking off his global tour in support of his 2023 album The Show and told fans he's looking forward to seeing them see what he has to offer.
“I'm going to be playing arenas and huge amphitheaters all over the world and with that I'm trying to do the biggest show and the show that I've always wanted to do,” he noted. “I'm looking forward to resting for a few weeks now, coming home, relaxing, enjoying Christmas and getting back to everyday life. Here we go again – I can hardly wait!”
The Voice returns for season 25 in February 2024.
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