Hodgkin lymphoma survivor Barbara Padilla is America's Got Talent runner-up

 

Soprano Barbara Padilla  won the runner-up title in tonight's finale of America's Got Talent, a nationwide talent contest televised on NBC. The Hodgkin lymphoma survivor competed against acts from across the country in the contest that awarded one grand prize winner  one million dollars and a contract to headline a 90-minute Las Vegas show.

Cancer survivor Padilla first captivated America's Got Talent judges and viewers at home in early July when she performed the famous aria, " O mio babbino caro" from Puccini's opera, Gianni Schicchi.

Judge  Piers Morgan declared,

Tonight a superstar was born on this show!

The next month, the lyric soprano brought to the America's Got Talent stage the theatrics of the Italian classical song, Con te partiro (Time to say goodbye) , made famous by Andrea Bocelli.

Along with the other judges, David Hasselhoff , offered the highest praise to Padilla:

She is exactly where she's supposed to be! She is spiritually blessed with a beautiful voice. So beautiful and such a star!

Certain that Padilla could not possibly surpass her brilliant performance from the week before, viewers and judges were again amazed by the 36 year-old's masterful rendition of the Bach/Gounod Ave Maria last week. In fact, all three judges clearly favored Padilla as their choice to win the grand prize.

Padilla easily advanced to finalist status, and judge Piers Morgan's comment summed up her performance well:

That was the single greatest vocal performance ever on America's Got Talent!

Padilla's final performance on Monday night was near flawless, as she reprised " O mio babbino caro",  the Pucinni aria so perfectly suited to her voice.

This time, judge Sharon Osbourne prophesied the beautiful soprano's fate:

She is worth three million and belongs somewhere beyond Las Vegas.

Americans had the chance to cast their votes on Monday night, and, based on those votes, it was determined that Padilla was runner-up of the contest. Country music vocalist Kevin Skinner was awarded the grand prize.

Before announcing the winner, viewers had an opportunity to enjoy a short review of Padilla's story. She was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and underwent several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, enduring treatment for several years. Padilla was told that the radiation may harm her vocal chords, leaving her unable to sing again. Fortunately, this was not the case, and Padilla was able to pursue her dream of obtaining her master's degree in music and is now well on her way to a career as a world-class opera singer. 

I've lived through miracles, and this is one more miracle. I have everything to live for.

Padilla is an inspirational performer, not only for her talent and classic beauty, but also for her character and humility. She has publicly shared how meaningful her communications with other cancer survivors are, and how seriously she takes her role as an advocate for cancer survivorship, reaching out to others to inspire and offer them hope. Perhaps the cancer community is the real winner in this contest. Barbara may not have won the million dollars, but she has won something that may be far more profound - The hearts of fellow survivors everywhere!

Congratulations, Barbara Padilla! Thank you for being our winner!

For more info:  Barbara Padilla Fans Facebook Page., Understanding Hodgkin lymphoma (Lymphoma Research Foundation) 

 *photo courtesy of NBC Entertainment Publicity

***To stay updated on the latest news pertaining to blood cancers, click on the "Subscribe" button above this article.*** 

***COPYRIGHT STATEMENT: This article and all articles on the Blood Cancers Examiner page are the sole property of Cathy Crenshaw Doheny.  Feel free to link to these articles at any time. However, permission from the author is required to copy or use any part of the text.***