Huntley, the winner of season 24 of The Voice, empathizes with the five remaining contestants as they approach finale week. He recalls forming close bonds with fellow contestants last season and witnessing their departures one by one. He also remembers missing his family and being in awe of the incredible talent around him, never imagining he would come out on top.
It’s a very humbling experience being from your little old town and then being around all these talented people,” he told American Songwriter, explaining that when he started the show, he had the smallest social media following of any of his castmates. “I just made sure I was making moments and not trying to overdo it or overthink it. I just wanted to do what I do and trust the process.”
When season 24 ended, Huntley watched his friends drop one by one. Lila Forde won 5th place. Jacquie Roar took 4th. Mara Justine landed 3rd place and Ruby Leigh was runner-up before Huntley was declared the winner.
As he plans new music and plots his next career move, a small group of hopeful artists wait to learn their fate on the season 25 finale of The Voice next week. Part one of the finale featuring performances from the final five will air 8/7c Monday on NBC. The winner—Karen Waldrup (Team Dan + Shay), Nathan Chester (Team John Legend), Josh Sanders (Team Reba McEntire), Asher HaVon (Team Reba McEntire) or Bryan Olesen (Team John Legend)—will be revealed in the last episode 9/8c Tuesday on NBC.
Huntley remembers how it felt to hear his name called.
Huntley remembers how it felt to hear his name called.
“It was the most validating moment of my life,” Huntley said. “I think people could see how shocked I was when I won. I did end my year crying in Gwen Stefani’s arms in graffiti with a trophy. The trophy was cool, but the hug from Gwen was better.”
Huntley Left Nashville
Huntley’s journey to The Voice trophy began well before he knew he was on it. His mother wasn’t a singer, but she raised him listening to her favorite artists—Joe Cocker, Bon Jovi, Cher and Blood, Sweat & Tears. He grew up wanting to be a football player and a singer. At 19 years old, he borrowed money from his sister and bought a one-way bus ticket to Nashville. It was February, and he had no place to live, no money, and no plan. Huntley traveled from Florida and didn’t realize how cold it was in Music City in the winter. He slept on a park bench in Centennial Park for six weeks. He was too young to play bars and started busking to earn money for a hostel.
Huntley got a job as a server at Chappy’s and as soon as he thought he was making financial headway, Nashville flooded and he woke up on an air mattress in six feet of water. The history-making flood struck in 2010 and did $2.3 billion of damage.
“This Is Just Insane to Me”
“It made me feel like I wasn’t supposed to be here,” said Huntley, seated on a downstairs couch in American Songwriter’s office. “It was the last straw for me. The last time I was here in Nashville, I’d left my tail tucked between my legs and very defeated. To come back here right now, this is just insane to me.”
Huntley took the bus to Virginia, where his mother lives, and still calls the state home. Over the years, he auditioned for multiple televised talent searches. Huntley sang his way onto “American Idol” three times but was never shown on television.
