Huntley: The Virginia Native Who Won Season 24 of ‘The Voice’

Michael Huntley, known simply as Huntley on the singing competition series *The Voice*, made history by winning Season 24 of the show. Representing Niall Horan’s team, Huntley was declared the winner on December 19, 2023, marking Niall’s second victory as a coach in just two seasons.

Huntley, a native of Florida but raised in Fredericksburg, Virginia, has a rich musical background. He moved to Tennessee to pursue a career in music but later returned to Virginia when he didn’t achieve the success he hoped for. Back in Virginia, Huntley worked as a booking agent and performed shows around the state. He was also part of a band called Lucys Letdown.

In his personal life, Huntley is in a relationship with his girlfriend, Hannah Cook, who is 13 years younger than him. He has two children, a daughter born in 2017 and a son born in 2021, though he has not publicly identified their mothers. Huntley emphasizes the importance of being a dedicated father, given his own lack of a relationship with his father.

Huntley’s journey on *The Voice* was impressive from the start. During the blind audition round, all four coaches – Niall Horan, Gwen Stefani, John Legend, and Reba McEntire – turned their chairs around after he sang “She Talks to Angels.” He chose Niall as his coach, with the help of his daughter who made the decision on stage. However, he later admitted he would have chosen Team John if he had made the decision himself.

Throughout the competition, Huntley advanced through the battle and knockout rounds, eventually making it to the top 12 and then the semifinals and finals based on public votes. He was ultimately declared the winner, with Ruby Leigh from Reba’s team coming in second and Mara Justine from Niall’s team in third.

Prior to his success on *The Voice*, Huntley had appeared on *American Idol* twice. His first audition did not advance him, and during his second attempt in Season 16, he received a golden ticket but did not make it past Hollywood week.

Since his win, Huntley has continued to make waves in the music scene. He recently performed the national anthem at an NFL game, channeling his inner Chris Stapleton, and has released a new single titled “Skyline Drive” one year after his victory).