How powerful is it when a coach hears their own song performed by a contestant? That’s exactly what happened when 23-year-old Abbey Green stepped onto The Voice Australia stage. She chose to sing “How to Be Lonely” — a track by Rita Ora, who was sitting just meters away, completely unaware of what was coming. It was a bold move, and it made the moment even more intense.
She sang “How to Be Lonely” by Rita Ora.
It’s a risky move. Performing a coach’s own song means you’re being directly compared to the original, and that’s not easy. Even Abbey admitted backstage that her nerves could get in the way. But she also said what mattered most: “I just want people to hear my voice.”
And they did.
The coaches’ reactions said it all — they were clearly impressed. One by one, they turned their chairs, fully engaged in the performance. And by the end, they stood up, showing real respect for the way she owned such a challenging song.
The Moment Everything Changed
As soon as Abbey began singing, Keith Urban turned his chair — and hit his block. That meant Rita, the original artist of the song, was officially out of the running to have Abbey on her team. It was a big statement: Keith wanted her on his team so much that he used his only block to keep the competition away.
Not long after, all four coaches had turned their chairs.
Even though Rita was blocked, she was clearly impressed. When the song ended, she told Abbey, “You sounded unbelievable.” That’s not something you hear every day — especially from the artist who made the song famous.
Abbey chose Team Keith and moved on to the Battle rounds.
Who is Abbey Green?
At the time of her audition, Abbey was 23 and from Victoria, Australia. She wasn’t already famous, but she’d been posting covers online and slowly building an audience. Singing was something she’d always loved, but this audition gave her the chance to take it to a bigger stage.
She’s also someone who enjoys a quieter life outside of music — she has a strong connection with animals and often shares photos of herself riding horses. It’s clear that she values balance, even as she pursues music.
What Happened After The Voice?
Abbey didn’t win the show, but that one audition opened doors. People still search for her performance online, and it’s gathered thousands of views and comments. For many, it was one of the most memorable auditions of the season — not because of flashy tricks, but because of how real it felt.
She showed confidence without arrogance, emotion without overdoing it. It was the kind of performance that felt honest.
Today, Abbey continues to share music and connect with fans through her social channels. While she may be taking her own path outside of the spotlight, she’s clearly someone to watch.
If you haven’t seen the audition yet, now’s the time. Watch the full performance — the link is in the first comment. It’s worth hearing for yourself what one brave song choice can lead to.
Even years later, this performance continues to resonate. It’s crossed 4 million views on YouTube, and clips from it still go viral across social media. There’s a reason people keep coming back to it — so let’s take a moment to listen, and understand why it still hits home.