by Todd Betzold

Last week on The Voice, many people were shocked when Adam chose Karla Davis to represent Team Adam in the live shows over Orlando Napier during their battle. She brought out Bertha during the battle, so Adam had to pick her. Today, we got an exclusive interview with Karla as she talked about Bertha, the live shows coming up and much more.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What made you want to audition for The Voice?
A. Karla: Last season, I was a friend of Javier Colon's before the show and Javier said he was going to be on it and I remember seeing him. He had a really amazing voice when I heard him live and I just remember thinking if he can do that...if he can go on the show and try, then I can do that. I think The Voice, the concept of the show is different than any other reality music show out there and I like that it's based on just the voice and I wanted to be a part of that.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What's it been like working with Adam as a coach so far?
A. Karla: Adam took a chance on me...he was the only coach to turn around for me and I think he sees more in me than I see in myself. He's really trying to help me be more confident and everytime I work with him it's a little bit better...I can do a little bit more and he's a little more proud of me and that's really nice to feel that he's proud. He's very serious about the music because he wants to see everyone on his team improve and you can feel that right away. He shoots it straight and he's truly making each of us better.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: He brought in Alanis Morissette as your mentor, so what was that like working with her during the battle round?
A. Karla: Oh my gosh, she was so great...very much so down-to-earth, had unbelievable things to say. She just has this calming energy...you're not nervous around her. I could not be nervous in the room with her and Adam. I don't know what it is, but she just exudes this calming, peaceful, sort of zen place. She definitely had confidence in me and I think having her and Adam in the room with me and kinda pushing me to do more really, really changed me.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: You are usually pretty nervous and shy, so Adam and Alanis gave you the nickname Bertha for that big girl that comes out of you and hits those big notes when you sing. Can we expect to see Bertha during the live shows?
A. Karla: (laughs) Yes, Bertha will be with me now for every show, every song...even if it's just for a little bit. I think that is definitely a part of me as a singer now. It was like I didn't know I could do that...makes you want to do it all the time. #Bertha was trending on Twitter the night of my battle round, which was cool. I have to be thankful for Bertha.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: You weren't really shown during the blind auditions and many were shocked when Adam chose you over Orlando Napier in the battle round, just because people didn't know that much about you. Do you feel at a disadvantage going into the live shows because of that?
A. Karla: I'll say this...I was very nervous in the blind auditions and I know that I can sing a lot better than I performed in the blind auditions. Maybe I didn't get as many followers and fans at first, but I think now we're all on an even playing field and I think it's all going to depend on who can surprise America and I think that plays to my advantage now because people don't know that much about me and I can tell you this...my first live round performance will be a huge, huge surprise to people. I'm kinda going into it as an underdog and hoping to blow away expectations.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: What are you most excited about for the live shows?
A. Karla: I can't give too much away, but the song choice is...people are just going to say, "What?," when they hear the song that I'm doing and I changed the song...I make it my own. People will just see a different side of me as an artist. I love that...I think it will show my versatility as an artist. Not to mention, the stage we are going to be on it unreal...we just saw it a couple days ago for the first time and it's the coolest thing I've ever seen in my life.

Q. Todd, RealityWanted: Is there anything you would like to say to your fans?
A. Karla: The fans that have been there since my videos in the bathroom on Youtube of me singing...those are the fans I hold very dearly in my heart. At the same time, the new fans that are seeing me because of the exposure from the show...it's really cool that you're taking a chance by following me and listening to my music and I've never seen as much support as this in my life. So, it's really a crazy experience and I just want to say thank you for that because I wouldn't have gotten anywhere else at any other time in my life and I'm not taking a bit of it for granted.

The Voice airs on Mondays at 8/7c and Tuesdays at 9/8c on NBC.

(image courtesy of NBC)

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