Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Her audition: Karen Galera, 19, of Dallas, Texas, auditioned with “Mi Corazoncito” by Aventura. Kelly Clarkson turned almost immediately, followed soon after by John Legend. Kelly praised the fact that Karen sang the entire song in Spanish. John said it’s time a bilingual artist won The Voice. Karen opted to join Team Kelly.

About Karen:

* She’s a native of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, and says her family moved to Dallas when she was about 5.

* Karen credits her brother Erick for introducing her to music. He would rap and produce music and have her sing on the tracks to give her confidence.

* He’s currently serving in the Marine Corps and couldn’t attend her audition, but Karen said he inspired her song choice — “Mi Corazoncito” was the first Latin song he introduced her to.

* As for that audtiion, Karen told Voice Views: “I knew singing a song entirely in Spanish would be risky, but that describes exactly who I am as an artist. I like taking risks with the music I deliver. I also wanted to represent my culture and who I am as an artist in my blind audition as best as I could.”

* Karen’s experience with music includes being a worship leader for five years. She said she always wanted to try out for the show, but let her fear of failure get in her way until auditioning last year.

* She hasn’t released music, but is working on a single. “I would describe my sound as sultry, Latin, R&B, mixed with a little bit of pop,” she told Voice Views.

* Karen also calls acting “a huge passion of mine.” At age 10, she landed the lead role in a Christmas musical and got to perform in front of 10,000 people. “I love musical theater, but I would love to be more involved in film,” she says.

* She lists her musical inspirations as Christina Augilera, Kelly Clarkson, Becky G and Romeo Santos.

* Ah, but that wasn’t the only reason she selected Kelly as her coach. In fact, she listed seven reasons for Voice Views, as follows:
“1. I have always loved the passion she puts into her music and also her team on The Voice in previous seasons.
2. I know she LOVES Latin music.
3. She was 19 and turned 20 on Idol and I am 19 and will turn 20 on the show as well.
4. We have the same birthday.
5. We are both from Texas!
6. She is a power house and I know she can coach me well when it comes to expanding my range.
7. Also, she is undefeated! She totally won Idol and BOTH seasons of The Voice she has been on. We are about to make it a third though! 😉”

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