'The Voice' Season 24: Internet accuses NBC show for making Niall Horan win in his last year as coach
UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIFORNIA: Huntley was crowned 'The Voice' season 24 winner on December 19 at a star-studded two-hour live finale on NBC. The 33-year-old vocalist from Fredericksburg, Virginia, won the competition on behalf of coach Niall Horan.
Niall clinched back-to-back victories on 'The Voice,' winning with Gina Miles in May during his inaugural season as a coach. Representing Niall, Mara Justine from Galloway, New Jersey, finished third.
Season 24, marking Niall's final season, has sparked accusations of vote rigging, with many attributing the former One Direction member's consecutive wins to alleged manipulation on the show.
On X, fans wrote, "#TheVoice is so damn dirty. Ruby was going viral and doing such numbers, no one knows who Huntley is (sic), they needed Niall to win so he could be back-to-back since Blake is gone, so they force her to sings songs out of her wheelhouse. This is a travesty man I am sick."
Another user chimed in, "AND A TOTAL BUTT KISS THIS WAS, WE ALL KNOW RUBY WON."
#TheVoice is so damn dirty. Ruby was going viral and doing such numbers, no one knows who Huntley is, they needed Niall to win so he could be back to back since Blake is gone, so they force her to sings songs out of her wheelhouse. This is a travesty man I am sick.
— Joseph Kerr (@joseph_kerr1) December 20, 2023
AND A TOTAL BUTT KISS THIS WAS, WE ALL KNOW RUBY WON.
— larry baker (@bakerlarry84) December 20, 2023
A user further wrote, "Huntley only won because of the One Direction stans voting for Niall. Ruby should've absolutely won."
Another user wrote, "Nah, if Ruby was on Team Niall she would’ve won. s**t was rigged from the start. They wanted him to go back to back since Blake is gone. Ruby was clear cut better. Huntley will join every other voice winner in obscurity within a year I am sick man!!!"
Huntley only won because of the One Direction stans voting for Niall. Ruby should've absolutely won. #TheVoice #IsaidwhatIsaid
— Joe Russell (@weathergeek312) December 20, 2023
Nah, if Ruby was on Team Niall she would’ve won. Shit was rigged from the start. They wanted him to go back to back since Blake is gone. Ruby was clear cut better. Huntley will join every other voice winner in obscurity within a year I am sick man!!! #TheVoice
— Joseph Kerr (@joseph_kerr1) December 20, 2023
One user wrote, "What did I tell y’all? They did everything they could to make Ruby seem off her game these past few episodes just to make Niall the new Blake as they’ve focused on all season."
Another person added, "I said in the Knockouts Niall HAD to keep Huntley to win because he would pull the general public vote. Add the 1D fandom loyalty plus great coaching from America’s newest Irish obsession."
What did I tell y’all? They did everything they could to make Ruby seem off her game these past few episodes just to make Niall the new Blake as they’ve focused on all season #TheVoice pic.twitter.com/MuVRaB9jkC
— Antoine Reid (@decaptain) December 20, 2023
I said in the Knockouts Niall HAD to keep Huntley to win because he would pull general public vote. Add the 1D fandom loyalty plus great coaching from America’s newest Irish obsession #TheVoice #TeamNiall
— Christi (@christimar10) December 20, 2023
Niall Horan plans to grab a beer with 'The Voice' Season 24 winner Huntley
Huntley received congratulations from all the coaches, and Niall extended his award to him. Just moments before the winners were announced, Niall expressed his delight in guiding him throughout the season.
"Huntley, my man, it's been an absolute pleasure since day one," he remarked. "Huntley, win or lose, we're going for a beer."
Huntley thanks coach Niall Horan for 'The Voice' Season 24 win
Huntley was stunned when his name was announced as the winner. He instinctively brought his hand to his head, tears streaming down his face.
The audience erupted in applause as confetti showered over him, and the realization of his victory overwhelmed him. Huntley expressed his gratitude to Niall for his guidance.
"He's shown me that I can be myself in this industry," added Huntley. "I can be my goofy Huntley self, and I love that."
Why is Niall Horan leaving 'The Voice'?
Season 24 of 'The Voice' would not be the same without Niall. Last season, Niall met the iconic Blake Shelton, a fan-favorite coach who had been on the program for years.
When Niall won Season 23, Blake joked with the One Direction singer that he had taught him everything he knew.
Niall stood strong in Season 24 even without Blake by his side. However, fans should brace themselves for a change, as Niall will not be returning for 'The Voice' Season 25.
Season 25 will feature the return of coaches Reba McEntire, John Legend, and Chance the Rapper, along with newcomers Dan + Shay.
Due to Niall's hectic schedule, Dan + Shay momentarily filled in for him in season 24. Now it's up to the two to show the world what they're made of.
While Niall won't be part of the coaching panel for 'The Voice' Season 25, there's a notable chance he may make a return in the near or distant future.
Niall has a world tour scheduled for 2024. The tour will begin on February 21, 2024, at the SSE Arena in Belfast, UK. The North American tour will kick off on May 29, 2024, at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida.
This is Niall's largest tour yet, so it's only natural that he'll devote his time to music until 2024.
Full episodes of 'The Voice' Season 24 are available on NBC.
