In an astonishing moment that resonates with aspiring vocalists everywhere, Ava Natalie Milone, a talented performer from Garden City who goes by Ava Nat, delivered a breathtaking performance during the blind auditions of the NBC singing contest "The Voice." On Monday's episode, she captured the attention of three out of the four judges with an emotionally charged interpretation of Gracie Abrams' song "I Love You, I'm Sorry," successfully securing her spot on Niall Horan's team.
Reba McEntire, the revered country music star, was one of the first to praise Milone, exclaiming, "Your voice was absolutely beautiful — it’s like butter; it's so smooth and pure." As she inquired about Milone's theater experience, Milone, an 18-year-old graduate from Garden City High School, shared that while she had dabbled in theater arts, her true passion lies in pop and jazz music.
Snoop Dogg, the hip-hop legend, also showered Milone with compliments, noting, "When I heard your vocals, it was clear you’re young, yet you performed as if you were gracing the Broadway stage. You embodied the essence of showmanship, a quality that many only acquire later in their careers. It would be a privilege to coach you."
Niall Horan, the former One Direction member and one of the show's coaches, echoed these sentiments, pointing out that Milone possesses a remarkable ability to convey the depth of emotion found in poignant lyrics, akin to celebrated artists like Gracie Abrams, Olivia Rodrigo, and Taylor Swift. "It’s incredibly challenging to deliver such authenticity, but your connection to that song was evident," he emphasized, singling out her performance as exceptionally impressive.
Clad in a striking three-quarter burgundy dress accented by a brown bolero jacket and cowboy boots, Milone expressed her gratitude to all the judges, including Michael Bublé, who did not rotate his chair. "I wish I could join all of your teams, but based on the emotional tie to the lyrics, Niall is my choice," she revealed.
Reflecting on her decision, Milone noted in a phone interview that initially, Snoop's encouraging words had her leaning towards him. However, she always sensed that Horan would be the ideal match for her artistic vision. "I adore him as a pop singer-songwriter, and it felt like he really understood me as an artist. In that moment, I thought, ‘He will be the best coach to help me select future songs and collaborate effectively.’"
Ava Nat’s choice of audition song stemmed from her admiration for Gracie Abrams, the Grammy Award nominee who is also the daughter of filmmaker J.J. Abrams. "Gracie has been a significant source of inspiration for me," Milone remarked, now a freshman at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. "She started out writing songs in her room that meant a lot to her, expressing herself through music, which is something I truly love to do. So being able to perform such an incredible song by an artist I look up to was a fantastic experience."
On Tuesday afternoon, she took to Instagram, posting, "I still can’t believe I got to experience this moment. It has already ranked as one of the best occasions of my life. I’m immensely grateful for everyone I’ve met along this journey so far — the amazing artists who are now my friends, the behind-the-scenes team, and all those back home cheering for me. Your support is invaluable."
Milone continued, saying, "@niallhoran I’m thrilled to have you as my coach. ... This is just the initial step, and I’m incredibly excited about what lies ahead ... And a big shoutout to my mom for always being my support."
Shortly thereafter, she shared a split-screen video on Instagram, displaying her performance alongside friends and family watching her on the episode. "It felt surreal to see myself on @nbcthevoice," she commented, accompanied by a note of thanks for everyone who came to cheer her on. She concluded with a nod to Team Niall, comprising her mom, dad, sister Lily, and vocal coach Natalie Gray featured in the video.
