One of NBC’s most popular shows will showcase cancer survivor Barbara Padilla as one of its 48 finalists at 8 p.m.today.
Padilla, a music alumna who uses her strong pipes to attract viewers across the U.S., is thrilled to make another appearance on America’s Got Talent.
‘I have lived through miracles,’ Padilla said after her preliminary round performance in July. ‘This is one more miracle because I am a cancer survivor ‘hellip; Now I am in remission and I am here. What a dream.’
According to her Web site, the signer was previously diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Her vocal chords risked damage by radiation treatments.
‘After traveling to Houston for a consultation with doctors at MD Anderson, Barbara had a chance to audition for the Moore’s School of Music at the University of Houston,’ the Web site said.
‘She was awarded a full scholarship where she completed the master’s program.’
During the preliminary round of ‘America’s Got Talent,’ she performed an excerpt from ‘O mio babbino caro’ by Giacomo Puccini, where all three judges were impressed, advancing her to the next round in Las Vegas.
During the quarterfinals, emerging from a mist in a flowing blue gown, Padilla sang ‘Time to Say Goodbye’ by Andrea Bocelli. The performance received high praise from show judge David Hasselhoff.
‘You know there’s a saying, ‘You are exactly where you are suppose to be in life,” Hasselhoff said.
‘You, (Padilla), are exactly where you are suppose to be. … You are spiritually blessed with a beautiful voice. ‘
Padilla views this success as an opportunity to teach her daughter a life lesson.
‘I have been in remission for cancer for 10 years, Padilla said.’ ‘Because of the very harsh treatments, I can’t conceive.’
‘We are excited to adopt our daughter ‘hellip; I want to be a good example for my daughter. If you don’t give up, you can make your dreams a reality.’
Piers Morgan, another judge on the show, said America’s Got Talent was created for someone exactly like her.
‘The idea of the show was to take somebody who is a great mom, who has come through cancer, someone with an ordinary background, Morgan said.’ ‘You haven’t been given any special privilege in life.’
‘And you come on the show, do a great audition, looking like this, and singing like that.’
Also representing Houston are Acrodunk, basketball-dunking entertainers, The Texas Tenors and Lake Houston Dance.
Padilla still has one more night to show she is even better than her previous performance.
‘This would have to be the performance of my life,’ Padilla said.
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