She's done it once and is about to do it again, TONIGHT! Pittsburgh's own Jackie Evancho is stepping back onto the "America's Got Talent" stage to compete for the ultimate title: "AGT" Champion.
The competition continues as 10 more of the most talented, memorable and all-around fan favorite acts from "AGT" and "Got Talent" competitions around the globe perform for judges Simon Cowell, Mel B, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel. Two of these renowned acts will move on to the finals - one will receive a Golden Buzzer, and one will be voted through by a panel of pre-selected "AGT" Superfans gathered from all 50 states. Voting is not open to the public.
Jackie first appeared on “America’s Got Talent” Season 5 in 2010 at age 10, when she made it all the way to the final before a devastating loss to singer Michael Grimm. But Jackie didn’t let that stop her. Since then, she has released a string of platinum and gold albums, headlined three PBS TV specials and has sang for presidents and other world leaders everywhere. Jackie has also recorded duets with notable artists such as Tony Bennett, Placido Domingo and Barbara Streisand!
In 2010, former "See & Be Seen" correspondent Jessica Fera (current WPXI promotion manager) covered Jackie's rise to stardom on "AGT.” See & Be Seen traveled to Los Angeles for the show and Jessica was there the night Jackie lost. A clip of one of her interviews with Jackie is expected to be featured during tonight’s "Champions" show. We caught up with Jessica for a little Q&A ahead of tonight’s episode.
Q: What stuck out to you most about Jackie when you first met her?
A: The first time the world heard Jackie sing on AGT, people were so blown away by this huge, amazing voice coming from a 10-year-old, that some questioned if her voice was for real. I’ll never forget hearing her sing A capella for us during her first on-camera interview at the WPXI studios. Everyone in the studio was left speechless and the newsroom was buzzing. Her voice was real and it was incredible! From that first interview in Pittsburgh, to the red carpet in LA after she finished in second place, and the many other times I interviewed her, what’s always stuck out to me about Jackie in addition to that booming, gorgeous voice, is her poise and maturity.
Q: What was it like getting to see a Pittsburgher make it to the finals on AGT?
A: It was so exciting to see Jackie’s success and follow her journey. I remember Pittsburgh rallying around the show and around Jackie. Anytime we put up an interview or pictures on the website, within hours it was our most popular content. She had so much talent and it was so unbelievable that she was only 10-years-old. We were sure she would walk away as the Season 5 winner, and were shocked when she was runner-up. But Jackie made Pittsburgh so proud and regardless of winning the show, a star was definitely born.
Q: Do you think Jackie has what it takes to make it through AGT: The Champions? Why?
A: Absolutely. Jackie is already a champion for so many reasons and I can’t wait to see her back on the AGT stage. She captivated everyone in 2010, and now nine years later, she comes armed with so much experience, platinum selling albums and Billboard hits. She should be very tough to beat!
"AGT" gave fans a treat by posting a video of Jackie's upcoming performance singing "Music of the Night" from "Phantom of the Opera;" on Sunday morning.
Cheer on Jackie TONIGHT as she returns to the stage at 8 p.m. on Channel 11 for "America's Got Talent: The Champions."
In the meantime, check out this clip we pulled from the See & Be Seen archives from 2010 on the red carpet in Los Angeles!
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