Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Her audition: Aliyah Moulden, 15, of La Habra, Calif., auditioned with a polished-beyond-her-years performance of “Hound Dog” that enticed chair turns from Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani and Alicia Keys. Blake reminded Aliyah that he’s had success with young female singers on the show before and complimented on her being so composed on The Voice stage.

Her background: Her mother is Mexican; her father was African-American, so Aliyah says she’s been influenced by music from both backgrounds. She says she performs everywhere she can — at school, at church and at charity events. Aliyah got to perform at the BET Experience and attend the BET Awards. She calls that the “best weekend of my life.” She’s had to grow up without her dad, because he died of cancer when she was one month old. But he was a drummer, and Aliyah says she thinks she inherited lots of her musical talent from him.

What the show didn’t show:

* She’s originally from Annapolis, Md., and her website bio says she credits the first song she ever learned — “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” — for convincing her to make music a big part of her life.

* Her ReverbNation page refers to a debut EP, but it doesn’t appear to be available on iTunes or Spotify. You can listen to her songs there, including originals “We Own the World” and “Invincible.”

* Aliyah does have two songs available from iTunes that are part of 2012 “Hey Bullies! Why Do You Do What You Do?” album. Her songs are “Just Stop Making Fun of Everyone” and “So Glad to Have Good Friends.”

* Artists she has opened for include Jessie McCartney and Beyonce Proteges Chloe X Halle. She also appeared on former American Idol contestant Todrick Hall’s “Twerk du Soleil” show.

* She had a featured solo in Pharrell’s 24-hour video version of his hit “Happy.”

* She was a featured performer during the 2015 Official Stand Up Tour, designed to promote acceptance and end hate.

* Aliyah has also studied acting and dance. And she’s appeared in a pair of short film thrillers — “Death’s Possessions” and “Confined.” Both were released last year.

* So why did she pick Blake as her coach, especially with her mom shouting “Gwen” in the background? Aliyah says she watches The Voice a lot and couldn’t help but notice how much Blake seems to care for his contestants. Not to mention how often his artists have won the show. “It was kind of like he was talking to me as if we were already working together. And I was just really star struck by him. … I couldn’t believe he even turned around for me … Even though I don’t sing country music, I just went (with the coach) I felt was going to connect with me the most.”

Keeping up with Aliyah:
Twitter: @aliyahmoulden
Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube

“When We Were Young” cover

“Say My Name” cover