Niall Horan, Irish heartthrob and former One Direction member, has revealed what Blake Shelton said to him right after the sensational victory of Niall’s team on Season 23 of The Voice.
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Niall Horan spilled the beans about his friendship with the country superstar and how his experience on The X Factor played a pivotal role in shaping him into a top-notch coach on The Voice. But let’s get to the good stuff—the moment of triumph and the words exchanged between the two talented musicians.
“When we left the seat, they announced the winner and I stood up, and then he came for a big hug,” Niall recounted with a laugh. “I gave him a big hug, and he said, ‘I taught you everything you know.’ That’s all he said, not congratulations or anything.”
Despite the humorous exchange, Niall Horan acknowledges that he has found a friend for life in Blake, whose iconic tenure on The Voice has sadly come to an end. “I’m going to miss him,” Niall confessed. “He is not one of those famous friends, in my eyes. I think if I had met him outside of The Voice, I would have probably been friends with him anyway.”
The bromance between Niall and Blake goes beyond the stage, with the former even expressing excitement about working with Blake’s wife, the sensational Gwen Stefani, in the upcoming season. Niall had the pleasure of meeting Gwen at the afterparty for this season’s Voice, and he couldn’t help but gush about her. “She came and surprised Blake on the last night, and she was so funny and so cool, so I’m excited,” he shared.
But what made Niall Horan the perfect coach for The Voice? As it turns out, his own journey on The X Factor provided valuable insights. Niall reflected with PEOPLE on his time as a contestant in 2010 and how it influenced his coaching style. “Being there with the contestants every week, picking songs, keeping them calm — because it’s crazy how talented these young kids are,” Niall explained. “Having come from a show like that, it felt normal to be doing The Voice to me.”
While basking in the glory of his recent win, Niall Horan is also gearing up for the release of his highly anticipated third album, The Show, which is set to hit shelves this Friday. Fans lucky enough to attend his intimate gig in New York City were treated to a sneak preview of the album, with Niall performing both his beloved classics and brand-new tracks.
As Niall continues to captivate us with his incredible talent and charming personality, one thing is for sure—his journey on The Voice has only just begun. With his sights set on Season 24, where he’ll be competing alongside Reba McEntire, John Legend, and the one and only Gwen Stefani, Niall Horan is ready to take the stage by storm once again.
So, dear fans, keep your eyes peeled for more entertaining moments and heartwarming camaraderie between these musical powerhouses. The world of The Voice will never be the same without Blake, but Niall Horan is here to keep the magic alive. Stay tuned!