As the lights dimmed on the latest episode of NBC’s The Voice Season 28, one Battle Round performance stole the show and ignited a firestorm of speculation among fans. Team Niall Horan’s Aiden Ross and Ava Nat delivered a hauntingly beautiful duet of Julia Michaels’ “What a Time” (featuring Niall Horan), a rendition so charged with emotion that Coach Snoop Dogg dubbed it “teenage love” unfolding right before his eyes. The pair’s undeniable chemistry—complete with lingering gazes, hand-holding, and harmonious blends—left coaches torn and viewers buzzing: Could this be the spark of a real-life romance born on the The Voice stage? While the show focused on their vocal prowess, what it didn’t reveal are the intriguing backstories of these two rising stars, their journeys to the spotlight, and the whispers of a budding connection that has social media ablaze. As Aiden and Ava themselves described the experience as “really weird” in a post-performance chat, we dive into the quick facts, the electrifying Battle, and whether The Voice just played matchmaker.
Quick Facts About Aiden Ross: The Texas Prodigy with a Four-Chair Turn
Aiden Ross, a 20-year-old sophomore at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, is no stranger to turning heads with his voice. Studying industrial distribution in the engineering school, Aiden balances rigorous coursework with a passion for music that runs deep in his family roots. As the youngest of three siblings, he grew up harmonizing around the dinner table on his family’s strawberry farm, where singing was as natural as breathing. By seventh grade, Aiden picked up the guitar, honing his skills through self-taught riffs and chord progressions that would later define his indie-folk style.
His high school years at A&M Consolidated High School were marked by success in the school’s contemporary a cappella group, A-Side, where he discovered the thrill of live performance. Influenced by artists like Lizzy McAlpine and Noah Kahan, Aiden’s music often weaves introspective lyrics with acoustic warmth, reflecting his small-town upbringing and big dreams. Before The Voice, he performed at local gigs and campus open mics, building a modest following on social media with covers that showcased his falsetto—a weapon that would prove lethal on national TV.
Aiden’s entry into The Voice was explosive. In the Season 28 premiere on September 23, 2025, he delivered a soul-stirring cover of Adele’s “When We Were Young,” earning the season’s first four-chair turn. Coaches Snoop Dogg, Reba McEntire, Niall Horan, and Michael Bublé all spun around, with Snoop famously screaming mid-performance in excitement. Niall ultimately snagged him for Team Niall, praising his emotional depth and raw talent. “You’ve got that storytelling voice that pulls you in,” Niall said during the pitch. Off-stage, Aiden is described by friends as grounded and hardworking, often juggling late-night study sessions with songwriting. His Instagram hints at a love for outdoor adventures, like hiking in the Texas hills, and subtle nods to his faith, which he credits for keeping him centered amid the whirlwind of fame.
Quick Facts About Ava Nat: The East Coast Songbird with Star Potential
On the other side of the duet is Ava Nat Milone, an 18-year-old freshman at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, majoring in commercial music—a fitting choice for someone already making waves in the industry. Hailing from Garden City, Long Island, New York, Ava graduated from Garden City High School, where she immersed herself in music without a heavy theater background, focusing instead on pop and jazz influences that set her apart. Remarkably, she’s already released a debut EP, showcasing original tracks that blend heartfelt lyrics with melodic hooks, drawing comparisons to modern icons like Gracie Abrams, Olivia Rodrigo, and Taylor Swift.
Ava’s musical journey began young; she’s a multi-instrumentalist proficient on guitar and piano, often composing in her dorm room between classes. Her style is characterized by a “sweetness and richness” in her tone, as noted by Coach Michael Bublé, with a vulnerability that shines in emotional ballads. Before The Voice, Ava performed at local venues in New York and Nashville, building a fanbase through TikTok covers and indie releases. She’s inspired by artists who pour personal stories into their music, and her EP explores themes of young love, heartbreak, and self-discovery—topics that eerily mirrored her Battle performance.
Ava’s Blind Audition on October 3, 2025, was a showstopper. Singing Gracie Abrams’ “I Love You, I’m Sorry,” she prompted a fierce coach battle, with all four turning and praising her buttery vocals. Niall Horan compared her to Taylor Swift, saying her performance had “that raw, confessional edge.” She chose Team Niall, drawn to his songwriting expertise. In interviews, Ava comes across as bubbly yet introspective, often sharing her excitement about Nashville’s music scene on social media. Friends describe her as ambitious and kind, with a love for coffee shop writing sessions and exploring the city’s honky-tonks.
The Battle That Stole the Show: “What a Time” and Unmatched Chemistry
The Battle Round, aired on October 20, 2025, pitted Aiden and Ava against each other in a duet handpicked by Niall: “What a Time,” a poignant track about nostalgia and fleeting connections. From the opening lines—Aiden’s falsetto blending seamlessly with Ava’s rich timbre—the performance was electric. They sang of “nights in the park” and clinging bodies, their voices intertwining like old lovers reminiscing. Onstage, they held hands, locked eyes, and delivered ad-libs that elevated the song, turning it into what fans are calling “the best Battle in several seasons.”
The coaches were floored. Michael Bublé suggested they form a duo, praising their blend: “Your voices blend so well together. If it doesn’t work out individually, you might think about that.” Reba McEntire called it “wonderful” and teased Niall for “cheating” with his own song. Snoop Dogg’s reaction fueled the romance buzz: “I’m witnessing teenage love. The way y’all holding hands, the way y’all sung to each other—this is beautiful, man. I kind of want to shed a tear.” Niall admitted it was “20 times more” than he expected, agonizing over the decision: “Saying goodbye to people you’ve effectively just met is not an easy task.” While the episode’s outcome remains a spoiler for late viewers (hint: Snoop’s Steal looms large), the performance has racked up millions of views on YouTube and TikTok, with fans dissecting every glance.
The Romance Rumors: Did Sparks Fly on The Voice Stage?
Here’s where The Voice didn’t show you the full picture. Aiden and Ava, both college students from opposite coasts—Aiden in Texas, Ava in Tennessee—didn’t know each other before the show. Yet, their instant connection has sparked rampant speculation. In a backstage interview snippet, the duo described sharing the stage as “really weird,” with Ava adding, “It’s like we’ve known each other forever, but we just met—super intense.” Aiden echoed, “Weird in the best way; the energy just clicked.” Fans on X have amplified this, with posts like “Aiden and Ava are giving rom-com vibes—did The Voice just create a couple?” trending under #AidenAvaLove.
Is the romance real, or just performance magic? Sources close to the show say their chemistry was organic, born from long rehearsal hours where they bonded over shared influences like Niall Horan and indie pop. Snoop’s “teenage love” comment, paired with their hand-holding and emotional delivery, has led to theories that sparks flew during Battles prep. However, neither has confirmed anything beyond friendship. Aiden’s social media remains music-focused, while Ava’s posts hint at Nashville adventures—no couple selfies yet. If it did start on The Voice, it wouldn’t be the first: Past seasons have seen real romances, like Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton’s iconic meet-cute.
As The Voice progresses to Knockouts, eyes are on Aiden and Ava. Whether they’re the next power couple or just vocal soulmates, their duet has cemented them as fan favorites. Tune in Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, or stream on Peacock, to see if the “weird” energy evolves. In the world of reality TV, sometimes the best stories happen off-mic—and this one feels like it’s just beginning.
