Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Her audition: Kensington Moore, 16, of Campbellsville, Ken., auditioned with OneRepublic’s “Love Runs Out.” Blake Shelton turned his chair as soon as Kensington hit the chorus, earning her a spot on the show. He wound up being the only coach to turn around.

Her background: Because she was part of a montage package, we weren’t treated to a pre-performance interview with Kensington. The Voice website tells us she grew up in Kentucky singing country music, and her parents relocated the family to Nashville to help her pursue her dream. Once there, Kensington changed directions musically and now sings pop.

What the show didn’t show: Kensington’s family moved to Nashville when she was 13, according to her website. In June 2013, she released an impressive five-track EP as Kensi Moore. You can check out full-length versions of those five songs here. Be sure to check out the exceptional “Whole Lot of Love” and “Dreamboat.” “I really like to keep things acoustic a lot when it comes to my own music,” Kensington said in a conference call with the media the day after her audition aired. “I write a lot. I like doing my original stuff, and I think that’s kind of why I never saw myself being on a show like The Voice.” But friends and family have been bugging her to audition for years, she says, and she relented. As for the switch from country to pop, she explains that country music was just what you were expected to sing if you’re from Kentucky and want to make it in music. “Once we moved to Nashville, I started experimenting with new sounds and new styles and figured out … that pop is where my heart is.” And she isn’t the least bit worried that she’s on the team with the country coach. After all, she points to the success Blake has had with non-country artists, like Sisaundra, in the past. Two other positives about being on Team Blake? First, Kensington thinks she might feel starstruck around the other coaches. “But Blake almost feels like he could be my dad. I just feel so comfortable around him.” Second: “He talks like me. He says y’all.”

Update: Kensington was eliminated from the show when she lost to Reagan James in the battle round. They performed “Team” by Lorde.

On iTunes: The 2013 EP and her audition song.

Keeping up with Kensington:
Twitter: @kensingtonmoore
Facebook
YouTube
Website

“Whole Lot of Love” (original from her EP)

“Queensland” (original)

“Run, Run, Run” (cover)