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Why 13-Year-Old Julia Roome’s “Ethereal" & “Dramatic” Voice Got Her a Battle Win
Only one contestant can move on to the Knockouts round, and that contestant was Julia Roome.
Team Niall members, 13-year-old Julia Roome and 15-year-old Olivia Eden, went head-to-head Monday evening as Season 24 of NBC's The Voice carried on with the Battles portion of the hit competition series.
The duet involved a lovely cover of "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer, which Niall chose because "it fits right in the middle of Olivia's folky/pop voice and Julia's kind of ethereal storyteller." It also happens to be one of his favorite songs in the world.
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The performance prompted some constructive feedback from John Legend, who qualified his statements with: "Both of you are so young. This is the beginning of your careers. You're gonna be great, no matter what. But if I were to choose, I would pick Julia." Reba McEntire and Gwen Stefani declined to pick sides, but offered plenty of praise and advice to the up-and-comers.
"Julia, to be 13-years-old...I learned how to tie my shoes at 16," Niall said. "The control, the etherealness, there's a real drama to it. Olivia, your tone is just so captivating; strange and weird and cool. It's got a bit of everything — I love it."
Julia Roome and Olivia Eden sing "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer on The Voice Season 24 Battles
Of course, only one contestant can move on to the Knockouts round, and that contestant was Ms. Roome.
"Julia is by far the youngest in this competition now and not for a second would you think so," Horan continued. "She has this dreaminess about her when she sings. She knows exactly who she is as an artist — even at this young age. There's a little spark in Julia that you don't see a lot."
Sadly, none of the judges exercised the Steal option on Olivia. Nevertheless, Horan is very confident that her musical career is just beginning. "It was so tough to see Olivia go. It's gonna break my heart for a long time," the One Direction alum concluded. "But I know for a fact that with that tone and that personality, she's gonna have a very bright future."
Watch new episodes of The Voice Mondays and Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC and next day on Peacock.
Season 23 of The Voice (the final go 'round for OG Coach Blake Shelton) is also streaming on Peacock.
