Niall Horan Says Huntley 'Absolutely Deserves' to 'Come Out on Top' on “The Voice” Season 24 (Exclusive)
"The fact that my name was called just meant the world to me," Huntley tells PEOPLE shortly after winning season 24 of 'The Voice'
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Huntley and Niall HoranNiall Horan is over the moon for The Voice winner Huntley!
On Tuesday night, PEOPLE caught up with the former One Direction member and his Team Niall contestant Huntley, shortly after the musician was named the season 24 winner of The Voice.
"I feel like I kind of was ready for another no, and Ruby [Leigh] is such a force to reckon with that I think if I would've went home to her, it would've just felt okay," Huntley, 33, tells PEOPLE of the moments Carson Daly announced the winner, with runner-up Leigh by his side.
He adds, "And the top five alone was insane to even think about who was going to walk away with that trophy. The fact that my name was called just meant the world to me."
As much as he was prepared for a "no," Huntley says it "meant a lot" to bring a second consecutive win home for Horan, 30, who began coaching on the NBC competition series for season 23.
Trae Patton/NBC
HuntleyRelated: The Voice Crowns a New Champion! Huntley Wins Season 24
Meanwhile, the "Heaven" singer says he's "so happy" for Huntley and he "absolutely deserves to be right up there."
"Just to hear Carson call his... I had this thing, I was watching Carson's mouth and I was waiting for him to say 'Hunt...' lay it out. It was a pretty cool moment," Horan recalls.
"And just to watch his face, this man's had a rough ride of it over the years and to come out on top. Finally, you did it bud," he adds, turning to Huntley.
With a winning title and big trophy to take home, Huntley has big plans for the holiday break.
"I'm probably going to bring [the trophy] to Hawaii with me and set it next to a margarita somewhere for Christmas," he says.
Horan adds, "I'm going with him. Yeah, I was going home until I just heard he's goin' to Hawaii!"
On Tuesday night, Huntley beat out Team Niall's Mara Justine, Team Reba's Jacquie Roar and Ruby Leigh as well as Team Legend's Lila Forde.
Ahead of the finale, Huntley — who's from Fredericksburg, Virginia — opened up about all the love and support he's received throughout this journey on social media.
“This is insane. So blessed and so grateful for everybody that has believed in me on this journey,” he wrote on Instagram. “Even though someone will be crowned a winner, we’ve all just been trying to create moments of genuine artistry and the amount of support from all over has meant so much to all of us.”
Huntley released his debut single "Holdin' On" in 2022.
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