Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Karly Moreno and Celia Babini rehearse for their battle round match on The Voice Season 16. (NBC Photo)

Adam Levine pitted a pair of talented female singer-songwriters against one another in the battle round Monday night.

Celia Babini was a four-chair turn in the blind auditions. The 17-year-old from New York auditioned with Billie Eilish’s “idontwannabeyouanymore.”

Karly Moreno, 23, of Mission Viejo, Calif., auditioned with “Starving” by Hailee Steinfeld to land her spot on Team Adam. She turned just Adam’s chair, making her a definite underdog heading into this match-up.

The song: “Friends” by Marshmello & Anne-Marie
The feedback: Blake Shelton said they’re very different singers, both of whom displayed “holy crap-ness.” Kelly Clarkson liked Celia’s intensity and Karly’s cool vibe. Adam Levine said he thinks they’re both “world class.”
The outcome: Adam declared Celia, his four-chair turn, the winner. But Blake swooped in and stole Karly.
My take: Thank you, Blake, because I love Karly’s voice and would have declared her the winner. I remember the blind audition when I wondered why no one had turned two lines in because she has such a distinctive sound. That said, this was the best possible outcome because Celia truly is a gifted singer-songwriter who’s already released an impressive EP of songs she wrote three or four years ago. And, remember, she’s just 17!