Jackie Evancho Featured On 'Oprah Winfrey Show'

CHICAGO,None — Pittsburgh's 10-year-old singing sensation, Jackie Evancho, was featured during an episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" Tuesday, along with singers Susan Boyle and Debby Boone.

The theme of the episode was "What Happened to the Next Big Thing?"

Jackie was the runner-up in the NBC competition "America's Got Talent," where she lost to soulful crooner Michael Grimm, 30.

But viewers, and even judge Piers Morgan, knew it was only the beginning for Jackie.

"I have never, ever, seen an act on this show, or the British show, or any of the other talent shows in the world that I have seen with more potential than Jackie Evancho," Morgan said about the young soprano.

Since AGT wrapped in September, Jackie has embarked on the "America's Got Talent Live" tour, performing in 10 of the 25 scheduled cities, and most recently signed a record deal with SYCO/Columbia Records. On Tuesday's show, viewers also learned that Jackie was asked to perform at Oprah's home, for a group of girls visiting from Oprah's school in South Africa.

Not bad for a fifth-grader.

A video crew hired by "The Oprah Winfrey Show" recently spent an entire day documenting Jackie's family and school life in the Pine-Richland area.

Harpo Productions producer Leslie Peirez flew in from Chicago to meet up with local videographers Lou Yellin, Bill Waddell and audio technician Don Yost.

The crew followed Jackie during her normal routine visiting math, language arts and art class, as well as lunch and recess at Eden Hall Upper Elementary School.

"What makes me happiest is being with my family, being able to play with my friends and being able to sing is really fun, too," Jackie said during a taped segment.

"Having the production crews on site provided a learning opportunity for students. They had a chance to see what effort and time goes on behind the scenes to put together a segment. The students seemed fascinated by the videographers, audio expert and field producer," said Pine-Richland director of communications, Rachel Hathhorn.

Jackie told Oprah her favorite subject is writing and said she likes to write everything from songs to poems and stories of every genre.

So how do Jackie's peers treat her now that she's a star?

"They're treating Jackie as they always have -- as one of their classmates," Hathorn said.

And her family?

"The moment Jackie steps off the stage, it's back to being one of my four children," said Mike Evancho. "She's not treated any differently."

The segment also showed Jackie at home with her two brothers and sister and several of the family's 28 pets.

Jackie taped her interview with Oprah on Oct. 14 in Chicago when she also performed "Pie Jesu," a song she had performed on "America's Got Talent."

As usual, Jackie did not disappoint and looked angelic in a long, ivory-colored gown, standing on a platform surrounded by a choir, white curtains and a bit of fog.

Jackie will release four songs on a Christmas CD titled "O Holy Night," which will also feature a bonus DVD, due out Nov. 16. Oprah asked which artists Jackie might want to collaborate with in the future.

"There are several, actually. Josh Groban, Charlotte Church, Andrea Bocelli and, well, this girl isn't really my type of singing but, it's Lady Gaga," Jackie said.

Jackie's segment ended with a strong endorsement for her new CD.

"I'm going to go pre-order that," Oprah said. "I'm not even going to ask you to give me that for free. Because yours is the voice I want to hear in my house this Christmas."

Jackie is set to perform in the My Macy's Holiday Parade presented by WPXI in Pittsburgh on Nov. 27.

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Previous Stories: September 30, 2010: Jackie Evancho's 'AGT' Tour Dates Limited To 10 Cities September 21, 2010: Pittsburgh's Jackie Evancho Gets 2nd Place On 'AGT' September 21, 2010: Singing Sensation Jackie Evancho To Perform In Parade! September 2, 2010: Pittsburgh's Jackie Evancho In 'America's Got Talent' Top 10 August 17, 2010: Pittsburgh Girl, 'America's Got Talent' Star Jackie Evancho Talks To WPXI

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