Another cycle of The Voice has wrapped! The season 24 finale aired live on Tuesday night (Dec. 19) and saw the competition come to a close after weeks of blind auditions, battle rounds and last-chance performances, culminating in the reveal of the show’s latest champion.
Jacquie Roar, Ruby Leigh, Mara Justine, Huntley and Lila Forde were the final five contestants left in the competition, after having one last chance to prove themselves solo with two performances on Monday’s episode, which served as the first part of the finale.
The Tuesday installment of the finale saw the hopefuls performing covers alongside their coaches — Huntley and Niall Horan teamed up for a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Knocking on Heaven’s Door.” Horan pulled double duty as Mara Justine was also in the running to win the competition, and sang the Eagles’ “Wasted Time.” Reba McEntire also had two chances to win, and performed Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and Wynonna’s “No One Else on Earth” with Ruby Leigh and Jacquie Roar, respectively. John Legend also sang a Christmas hit with Lila Forde, putting their spin on Ella Fitzgerald’s “Sleigh Ride”
After a series of all star performances from Earth, Wind & Fire, AJR, Tyla, Teddy Swims, season 22 winner Bryce Leatherwood, season 25 coaches Dan + Shay and more, the season 24 champion was crowed. Huntley took home the title, providing Horan with his second consecutive coach win. Ruby Leigh finished in second place during the finale, though 32 percent Billboard readers — the majority — voted her their pick to win the competition.
Following his big win, Huntley revealed in an interview with Entertainment Tonight that he “was so surprised” with his victory. “Ruby [Leigh] is so talented and I think that she is a force to reckon with, so the fact that it was us two standing up there, it was right. … She’s super talented, and when my name got called, I genuinely couldn’t believe it.”
The winner continued, “This has all been so worthwhile … I just want my career. I’m so hungry for this. John [Legend] said he can see me singing in arenas around the world, and that’s something I’m very hungry for. Y’all are not getting rid of me!”
The Voice will return for season 25 in February.
Revisit the finale performances with the coaches below, and watch Huntley get crowned the winner above.
