Will Jackie Evancho Take the Top Prize on America's Got Talent?

Child Prodigy Jackie Evancho was asked by America's Got Talent judge Howie Mandel, "Did you ever swallow a grownup?" His reference to Jackie's mature singing voice accentuated Miss Evancho's amazing climb up the ladder of success on this popular reality show. Now that Jackie is in the Final Four America remains on the edge of their seats to see if this tiny 10 year old with the voice of an angel has the staying power, the maturity, the grit necessary to take top honors in this season's closer.

Many entertainment reporters and most viewers favor this lovely prodigy to be the winner of this season's America's Got Talent reality show, but would we be so endeared of the singer if she were, say, thirty years old instead of ten? I mean, how many opera stars have albums or even singles in the top ten? In fact, how many opera stars can we even name? Some are even asking, "...does Jackie Evancho deserve the $1 million prize?" However, America's Got Talent Judges Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, and Howie Mandel along with the show's host, Nick Cannon, continue to offer her standing ovations after each performance even though, in Sharon Osbourne's words," I didn't understand one word of your singing."

Jackie Evancho may be a prodigy, but it is apparent from her poise, her thoughtful and articulate responses to the judges' questions, and her star quality voice that she packed away her childhood long before ever standing on a stage in front of millions of television viewers. Some day she may regret surrendering what American's believe is the right of every child for a short lived success on stage. But, if she truly has the joy her singing represents, then I doubt she'll have any regrets other than finding a new challenge for her talents.

Without question Jackie Evancho's competitors are talented, perhaps even as talented as the ten year old singing prodigy. To say Prince Poppycock is spectacular misses only the true spectacle of his performances. Michael Grimm's voice is as sweet in its masculine way as Jackie's voice, but he's had many more years to perfect his act than the tiny opera singer. Fighting Gravity is an act as unique as Jackie's, but lacks her perfection in performance. And, yes, that's the order I predict for this talent contest's winners; Jackie Evancho, Prince Poppycock, Michael Grimm, and Fighting Gravity.

Every performer needs a "gimmick" to capture the audience's attention especially on a hugely popular reality show such as America's Got Talent, and despite her diminutive stature and youthful appearance Jackie Evancho is no exception to this rule. Miss Evancho's gimmick is her tender age, her mature voice, her freshness, her stage presence, and her consistently superb and professional performances. Would we cheer so hard for her if she were twice her age? I think not, but since she isn't twenty or even thirty years old, we will continue to vote her into the winning spot and hope she and her parents use the $1 million prize wisely.

You go, girl!

Sources:

"...does Jackie Evancho deserve the $1 million prize?" http://blogs.chron.com/tubular/archives/2010/09/americas_got_ta_14.html